February 11, 2020
Description
8' 3/4 PEX (Sharkbite PEX from Home Depot purchased in 10' straight sections.)
5' 1/2 EMT conduit for base
IP65 WS2811 Strips (1 strip makes 2 arches) https://amzn.to/39riuBy
Tent Stakes (6 per 2 arches) https://amzn.to/2HdCknN
3/4 Self Tapping Lath Screws (2 per arch) https://amzn.to/37h6ZLy
90% rubbing alcohol
Recommended to print in PETG because it's UV stable but my PLA arches lasted 2 years before they got really brittle.
I print on a 0.8 nozzle at 3 shells, but you can print on a .4 at 6 shells 25% infill is fine, the shell does most of the work.
Cut the Pex to length. Wipe off the writing with rubbing alcohol.
Cut strips to length and just turn the pex vertically to drop it in. You can take off the paper backing if you want to try to stick them in, but I've found it's much better not to. The pex diffuses the light evenly and you don't need to point them in any specific direction.
Once the lights are in the pex, add on the bases, I recommend 2 singles and 1 double so you end up with 2 arches per section. Much easier to move around. Just do one side, then install the EMT with a lath screw to hold it in place, no screw are necessary on the pex. Bend the pex and connect the emt to the other side. Complete the second arch, connect the wiring, then stake them into the ground.
I've been using these for several years and they are easy to make and very durable. I store them in my garage hanging on the wall.
Edit: Added a 1in version for Brandon P. by up-scaling the old version 127.6%
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution
lranger2
