Green Building Forum - 50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

sheffieldnick — Sat, 06 May 2017 22:55:51 +0100

I'd like to make a polytunnel on a minimal budget, and I'm looking for black or blue MDPE water pipe, 50mm outer diameter, 4 x 4.5m lengths so 18m total.

Can pay cash and collect if not too far from Sheffield, or I'll pay postage if it isn't too expensive.

Many thanks

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

SteamyTea — Sun, 07 May 2017 08:20:29 +0100

http://www.cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalog/50mm-Blue-Polythene-12-bar-PE80-MDPE-pipe-x-6m-HPMD0506.html?gclid=CLXXiPue3dMCFaoK0wodYkkCEg

Works out at Â£2.79/m

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

Peter_in_Hungary — Sun, 07 May 2017 09:10:57 +0100

Over here if black pipe is used then it has to be covered in something white otherwise the poly sheet will get too hot and degrade quickly where it is over the pipe.

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

djh — Sun, 07 May 2017 15:44:52 +0100

Posted By: SteamyTeaWorks out at Â£2.79/m

Only if he's prepared to joint the 6 m lengths to get the lengths he needs.

Why does it need to be 50 mm?

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

owlman — Sun, 07 May 2017 16:01:10 +0100

How do you propose to join the hoops along their length or anchor them at their ends?

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

sheffieldnick — Mon, 08 May 2017 18:06:57 +0100

Posted By: SteamyTeahttp://www.cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalog/50mm-Blue-Polythene-12-bar-PE80-MDPE-pipe-x-6m-HPMD0506.html?gclid=CLXXiPue3dMCFaoK0wodYkkCEg" >http://www.cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalog/50mm-Blue-Polythene-12-bar-PE80-MDPE-pipe-x-6m-HPMD0506.html?gclid=CLXXiPue3dMCFaoK0wodYkkCEg

Works out at Â£2.79/m

Thanks, but 4 lengths would be Â£66.96 inc VAT, excluding delivery, which is well outside of my budget.

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

sheffieldnick — Mon, 08 May 2017 18:11:24 +0100

Why does it need to be 50 mm?

The designs I've seen online use 40mm scaffolding pipe (or round wooden stakes) hammered into the ground as anchors, and then a length of 50mm MDPE pipe should fit snugly over. The thinner MDPE is cheaper and easier to find, but apparently not rigid enough to stay up in strong winds?

Here is an example that uses 48mm scaffolding poles and 63mm? MDPE pipe (50mm *inner* diameter):
https://www.firefoods.co.uk/how-to-build-a-polytunnel/

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

djh — Mon, 08 May 2017 20:16:26 +0100

OK. Personal opinion is that you're asking in the wrong place because most people on here are small or individual builders, not the large sites suggested as sources in that link.

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

camillitech — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:26:34 +0100

I've got loads of 4 to 6m lengths of 96mm that you can have 'free for uplift' but they're on Raasay off Skye :-( I've given quite a lot away over the years for the very purpose of making poly tunnels using round fencing stobs as the uprights.

https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/167/

If you can be bothered trawling through that I did quite a few posts about Willies poly tunnel. He painted the pipes white as was suggested but others didn't and they've been just fine, but then we are in NW Scotland.

Cheers, Paul

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

sheffieldnick — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:16:47 +0100

Posted By: camillitechI've got loads of 4 to 6m lengths of 96mm that you can have 'free for uplift' but they're on Raasay off Skye :-( I've given quite a lot away over the years for the very purpose of making poly tunnels using round fencing stobs as the uprights.

Nice polytunnel Paul! Thanks very much for the kind offer If I were closer I'd definitely take you up on that.

50mm water pipe offcuts wanted for DIY polytunnel

renewablejohn — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:01:45 +0100

How much do you want to spend. Commercial polytunnel hoops are normally Â£10 to Â£15 each depending on width. Have plenty if you dont mind a journey to Bolton.