How to Build a Hurdle With PVC Pipes

Practice hurdles are an essential piece of training equipment for hurdlers as they prepare for competition. There are several ways to make hurdles made of PVC pipe which are quite simple, but these types of hurdles are locked into a single height. Since professional hurdles are adjustable, you probably would like your practice hurdle to be adjustable as well. This tutorial demonstrates how to build a practice hurdle out of PVC pipe that can be adjusted to any of the five official heights.

Things You'll Need

  • 17 feet of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe
  • Vise
  • Hacksaw
  • Sandpaper
  • 1 1/2 inch side outlet 90 PVC joints (2)
  • PVC glue
  • Paper towel
  • 9 feet of 2-inch PVC pipe
  • 2-inch PVC elbow joints
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • Measuring tape
  • Marker
  • 2 3-by-1/4-inch wooden dowels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp a 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe into a vise and cut three 48-inch pieces and two 25-inch pieces with a hacksaw.

    • 2

      Sand the ends of the pipes with 60-grit sandpaper to prepare them for glue.

    • 3

      Apply PVC glue into two 1 1/2 inch side outlet 90 PVC joints. Insert the pipes into the joints, forming an H shape that is bent upward at a 90-degree angle at the midpoint. The three 48-inch pieces will be on the ground, with the two 25-inch pieces extending up into the air.

    • 4

      Use a paper towel to wipe off any PVC glue that oozes out of the joint and allow the glue to dry.

    • 5

      Cut a 48-inch piece of 2-inch PVC pipe with a hacksaw, and two 25-inch pieces. Sand the ends.

    • 6

      Glue the pipes together with two 2-inch elbow joints, creating a U shape with the 48-inch piece in the middle.

    • 7

      Drill a 3/8-inch hole straight through each side piece of the U shape, positioned 2 inches below the 48-inch piece. The holes should be parallel to the 48-inch piece.

    • 8

      Slide the side pipes of the U over the upward pipes of the H until it comes to rest, creating the hurdle.

    • 9

      Raise the U until it is 30 inches above the ground. Mark the location within the drilled holes with a marker.

    • 10

      Raise and mark the U portion at 33, 36, 39 and 42 inches.

    • 11

      Remove the U portion and drill through the upright pipes on the hurdle base at the marked locations with a 3/8-inch bit.

    • 12

      Cut two 3-inch pieces of 1/4-inch wooden dowel.

    • 13

      Reassemble the hurdle and raise it to the desired height. Insert the dowel pieces through the drilled holes to hold the hurdle at that height.