Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Build an Axe With a PVC Pipe

Boffer combat is the practice of gathering combatants together and smacking each other with PVC-and-foam weapons. The simplest and most basic boffer weapon is the longsword, both because it is easiest to handle and because it is the easiest to make; but dedicated boffer combatants can make almost any weapon out of PVC and pipe insulation foam, from axes to maces to spears and even double-bladed swords. A boffer axe is often heavier and shorter than a basic sword, making it ideal for close quarters combat. The shape of the "blade" can also be used to hook opponents' blades out of the way on defense. It will not, however, be especially pretty to look at. The following instructions are for a single-bladed hand-axe.

Things You'll Need

60-inches 3/4-inch PVC pipe
Measuring tape
Marker
PVC cutter
2 PVC pipe caps
4-way fitting
T-fitting
Primer compound
PVC cement
Foam insulation
Duct tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure a 20-inch length of pipe. Make a mark on the pipe at the 20-inch point with your marker. This piece will be the axe's handle.
- 2
  Cut the pipe at the 20-inch mark.
- 3
  Measure and cut two 4-inch pieces of pipe and a 3-inch pipe. These will be the top and bottom pieces of the axe blade and the piece that brings the blade out away from the handle.
- 4
  Measure and cut another 4-inch piece of pipe and a 5-inch piece of pipe. The 4-inch piece is a simple counter-balance on the opposite side of the blade. The 5-inch piece is a "spike" on the top of the axe.
- 5
  Apply a coat of primer to the inside of each pipe fitting and cap, then apply a similar coat to the top and bottom of each pipe. The primer should come down about 2-inches from the tip of the pipe. Allow the primer to dry before continuing.
- 6
  Apply a coat of PVC cement to the primed portion at the bottom of your "handle" pipe, then apply a similar coat to the inside of one of your end-caps.
- 7
  Place the end cap onto the bottom of the handle and rotate it a quarter-turn. This will help seal the cement and ensure a stronger bond.
- 8
  Apply PVC cement to the 4-way connector and to the top of the handle pipe. Place the connector onto the pipe and rotate it a quarter-turn, a process called "connecting."
- 9
  Apply PVC cement and connect the 5-inch counterbalance pipe, the 3-inch blade-connector pipe and the 5-inch spike pipe to the back, front and top of the 4-way connector, respectively.
- 10
  Connect the T-connector piece to the front of the blade-separator pipe, then connect the two 4-inch pipes to the T-connector.
- 11
  Connect a pipe cap onto the exposed end of the counterbalance pipe.
- 12
  Wait for the glue to dry completely. This can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours, depending on the brand of PVC cement you use. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours before using the axe.
- 13
  Wrap the blade and the spike with foam insulation. Make sure there is an extra 2-inches of foam past the end of each pipe. This is to prevent the pipe ends from making contact with combatants and causing injury.
- 14
  Wrap duct tape around the full length of the insulation. Wrap the tape lightly. If you wrap the tape tightly, it will compress the foam padding and will lessen the protective ability of the insulation. Make sure you wrap duct tape around the foam and down onto the pipe to make sure the foam stays in place.

Other Hobbies