PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

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Wcsweb

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Oct 22, 2008
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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

I think if done correctly you can get some good use out of one built out of pvc. IN Florida id does not get to cold. And if you painted it you could keep the UV off of it.

If braced correctly I think it would be OK..

Before I try and build one I thought there was thread where someone already did.

Guess I may need to start a new thread..........:eek:
 
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BigJ08

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

I think that building a PVC T top is not going to be worth it. I see so many cheap used t-tops on craigslist all the time. There are even guys willing to build you a new custom one for very reasonable prices. Why waste time and money on something that might or might not work? I really think that if PVC was such a good t-top material, then there would be someone manufacturing them. Just my $.02.
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

i386 said:
Will snap like a twig when it's cold.
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I think the exterior grade PVC (the grey stuff) is not as brittle in the cold. Its also UV protected.
 
i386

i386

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

Mark42 said:
I think the exterior grade PVC (the grey stuff) is not as brittle in the cold. Its also UV protected.
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You're right, it's not as brittle.

I made a potato gun out of white pvc about 10 years ago. I fired many a tater out of it with no problems. I left it propped up by the screen door on the back porch and forgot about it. Months later it got cold. The wife went out the back door for something and knocked it over. The barrel shattered when it hit the porch. That was a wake up call for me. If I ever make another one (doubtful), it'll be out of the grey stuff.
 
LX Kid

LX Kid

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

Need and being a "cheap Charlie" is the mother of invention! Jethro and Jed Calpett, fellow hillbilliy's, made a lot of cool stuff. Why my old toilet planters, out on both side of the driveway, is a testimoney to that. I am the envy of my neighborhood.
 
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BigJ08

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

BigB9000 said:
what about EMT?
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I Think that EMT is also going to be too weak to stand up to the stresses a t-top goes through. If you want to try it, I would suggest overbuilding it like crazy. Just keep in mind, it is going to be very heavy. If you have the time and money, and really want to do it, go for it. Just be sure to keep us updated.
 
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phidil

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

I made a truck topper out of thin wall pvc and covered it with canvas, I used it for temperary cover whin I needed to haul somthing to keep dry, Very easy on and off withstood speeds of 70mph no problem and it lasted for years, They also make all kinds of tabbles and chairs for outside use and they seem to work ok, so I say thumbs up on t top, Let me no and I will build one myself
 
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dbdsaltydog

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

i am in the process of building a PVC t-top for my 20 ft center console. I am building it with 2" PVC pipes. i will keep you posted...UPDATE!!! I changed my mind!!!! After sketching out the T-Top plans and costing out just the material needed to make my binds and joints the cost was over $200.00. Cant see wasting that kind of money on a unknown! Buying a Trampoline Aluminum instead!!!!
 
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jonesg

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Re: PVC T-Top, Pros's & Con's

LX Kid said:
Need and being a "cheap Charlie" is the mother of invention! Jethro and Jed Calpett, fellow hillbilliy's, made a lot of cool stuff. Why my old toilet planters, out on both side of the driveway, is a testimoney to that. I am the envy of my neighborhood.
Click to expand...

hoooweeee, just look at that, they even have a ceeement pond.:)
 
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