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majorgator's avatar
majorgator
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014

Campsite Marking Post/Light/Welcome Sign

On a recent trip, we noticed a few campers who had a small PVC post-type thing on the edge of their site. It was in a cross pattern, and each side had a small canvas hanging sign with a message like "The Browns" or "Welcome" or something else. On top was a small light fixture. They were all slightly different styles, but the same concept. They were not the wire hanger type like you see in the garden sections at the store.

I want to make one of these things for my family and our friends whom we camp with a lot. I can dream up an easy way to make them, but I'm also wise enough to know that they might be sold for less cost than I would spend on materials. Problem is I can't find them anywhere. Perhaps my nomenclature is incorrect, but I really can't think of what else to call them.

Does anyone have any pictures of them or know where they can be bought? Of course, this idea didn't come to mind when we were at the campground, when I could ask the campers or take pictures.

9 Replies

  • I built them 3 at a time to use all of the pipe. The post light comes from Lowes or HD, black or white, they are made to fit a 3" post. Go to a plumbing shop and buy a 20' piece of 2 1/2" pvc sch 40 pipe, the od is 2 7/8", ask to hand pick the pipe because if improperly stored outside it will be crooked or bleached on the side. Using an irwin bit drill the cross hole for a piece of 1/2" pipe for the cross bar. I put a wooden dowel inside the 1'2" pipe to strenghen it and also so the screw eyes have something to bite into. Also buy a bag of wooden balls about 1 1/2" dia. and drill socket almost all the way thru them. press onto 1/2" pipe ends. drill 1/2" hole thru 2 1/2" pipe about 2 inched from bottom for wire to exit out of the side. Buy cheap 2 conducter ext cord walmart 50' long and wire directly. The base is made from plastic drops I get from a friend of mine and are generally 1 1/2" thick and about 12-16" in diameter. Bore socket fit into the base to fit 2 1/2" pipe. On asphalt or concrete sites I just lay a spring bar on it to hold it down; on grass I use 3 tent stakes to anchor it.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I built mine up with PVC from LOWES. They even had the pole lamp fixture.. I used a round pole holder on the bottom attached to 2'x2' board. I stack rocks on the board to hold it up. Breaks down for carrying.. Had sign made up on a trip to Gatlingburg...

    Mine is similar to this photo

    Photo from google images. Search for PVC LAMP POSTS

    Roy Ken
  • http://www.ehow.com/how_6508465_directions-pvc-lamp-post.html. We made one and painted it black. we didn't put the hanger rode through it. it is just a 3/4" pvc rod w/caps on the ends.

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