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How to Make a Scarecrow Stand for a Stage

Stage productions need to move fast. The lights go down and the crew needs to clear the stage and set new props to give the show a good cadence. Heavy or awkward stage props will drag the show down and lose the audience. When building a scarecrow stand for the stage, you want to merge appearance with functionality. Use PVC pipe and a homemade five-way joiner and build the scarecrow right into the frame.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Marker
  • 20 feet of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
  • 4-way 3/4-inch PVC cross joint
  • 3/4-inch PVC end cap
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 7/8-inch drill bit
  • 3/4-inch long, 3/8-inch bolt
  • Washer
  • Nut
  • Socket wrench
  • 3/4-inch PVC T-joiner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the height of your scarecrow with a tape measure. Measure from the feet to the shoulders and then the width of the shoulders. Divide the shoulder width by two and note the measurements.

    • 2

      Make seven marks on the 20-foot length of 3/4-inch PVC pipe with a tape measure and marker. Measure and mark four 18-inch pieces, one piece the height of your scarecrow and two pieces that are half the shoulder width each. Cut through the PVC at each mark with a small-tooth saw.

    • 3

      Drill a hole through the center of the four-way cross joint and the center of the 3/4-inch PVC end cap with a 3/8-inch drill bit. The center of the cross joint is the apex where all the ports meet. Flip the cross joint over and drill a hole through the center of the other side with a 7/8-inch drill bit.

    • 4

      Flip the cross joint back over and align the end cap's hole with the hole in the cross joint. Turn a 3/4-inch long, 3/8-inch thread bolt and washer through the drilled holes. Turn the cross joint over and thread a nut onto the bolt threads inside the cross joint. Use a socket wrench to tighten.

    • 5

      Place the cross joint assembly open-cap up. Slide the four 18-inch PVC legs into the four ports on the cross joint. Pop the PVC section that is the height of the scarecrow into the end cap. Fix a 3/4-inch PVC T-joiner onto the top of the height pipe and pop the two shoulder pipes into the open ports of the T-joiner.

Stage Productions

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