DIY PVC GROW LIGHT STAND

This Do-It-Yourself Grow Light Stand is easy

to build and much less expensive than the
metal versions available from garden
catalogs. Each tray holds 4 standard sized 10
1/2" x 21" plastic planting trays. It can be
assembled or knocked down in minutes. After
disassembly it stores flat against a wall in a
utility room, garage or shop. No glue was
used in the assembly of the frame.
Tools Required:

Hacksaw
Tape Measure
Circular Saw
Rubber Mallet
Power Drill
Phillips Screwdriver
Box Knife (for deburring PVC cuts)

This is the grow light stand knocked down for

storage. These individual sections may be
glued together using PVC pipe glue if desired.
Instructions for the assembly of each section
follows.
Grow Light Stand Parts

6 1/4 - 10 foot joints of 1" sch 40 pvc

pipe (61 1/2')
32 - 1" Sch 40 PVC T
4 - 1" Sch 40 PVC L
4 - 1" Sch 40 PVC Cap
8 - Metal shower curtain hangers
16 - Metal S hooks
80" - Small gauge chain
4 - 4' 2 Tube Fluorescent Shop Light
1 - 4' x 4' sheet of 1/4" Masonite
3 - 8' 1 x 4
16 - 6 penny coated box nails
52 - 4 penny coated box nails
8 - #10 x 3/4" sheet metal screws

Parts List for Trays (2 required)

2 - 1/4" Masonite cut 24" x 47"

4 - 1 x 4 cut 47"
4 - 1 x 4 cut 22 1/2"
8 - 6 penny coated box nails
26 - 4 penny coated box nails
4 - #10 x 3/4" sheet metal screw

Using the 6 penny nails, 2 at each corner, join

the 22 1/2" and 47" lengths of 1 x 4 to create
a 24" x 47" frame.
Securely nail the 24" x 47" Masonite sheet to
the bottom of the frame using the 4 penny
nails.

Parts List for Tray Supports (2 required)

Lengths of 1" Sch 40 PVC

2 - 21"
4 - 2 1/2"
2 - 41"

Fittings

4 - 1" Sch 40 PVC T

Cut the PVC to length per the list above.

Using the photo at left as a guide assemble
the cut lengths with the fittings to form the tray
supports.

Parts List for Light Hangers (2 required)

*Note that the PVC cut lengths for the light
hangers is determined by the distance of the
light fixture hanger holes from the end of the
fixture. This distance may vary with different
fixtures so adjust cut lengths as necessary so
that the runners on the hangers are positioned
directly above the fixture hanger holes. See
the photo below of the light fixtures hanging in
place.
Lengths of 1" Sch 40 PVC

Fittings

2 - 21"
4 - 2 1/2"
2 - 41"

4 - 1" Sch 40 PVC T

Hardware

4 - Metal Shower Curtain Hooks

4 - Metal S Hooks

Cut the PVC to length per the list above.

Using the photo at left as a guide assemble
the cut lengths with the fittings to form the tray
supports. Clip two metal shower curtain hooks
over each of the 21" cross runners (see
photo). Hook 1 metal S hook onto each
curtain hook and crimp to prevent it from
falling off.
Using this type of hanger allows the light
fixtures to be moved out of the way for easier
access to the flats.

Parts List for End Sections (2 required)

Lengths of 1" Sch 40 PVC

4 - 2 1/2"
2 - 4 1/2"
4 - 16 1/2"
1 - 21

Fittings

4 - 1" Sch 40 PVC L

8 - 1" Sch 40 PVC T
2 - 1" Sch 40 PVC Cap

Cut the PVC to length per the list above.

Using the photo at left as a guide assemble
the cut lengths with the fittings to form the
stand end sections.

For the lighting use 4 standard 4 foot, two

tube shop lights.

Insert metal S hooks into the light fixture

hanger holes. Crimp the bottom of the hook
closed as shown at left to prevent it falling out.
Attach a 10" - 12" length of chain to the other
end of the S hook and crimp the hook closed.

The photo at left shows the light fixtures

hanging in place.
*Note that the PVC cut lengths for the light
hangers is determined by the distance of the
light fixture hanger holes from the end of the
fixture. This distance may vary with different
fixtures so adjust cut lengths as necessary so
that the runners on the hangers are positioned
directly above the fixture hanger holes.

Using a rubber mallet to drive the parts

together assemble the stand sections as
shown at left.
Slide the trays onto the tray supports in the
assembled stand. Center the trays in the
stand. The trays are attached to the stand
using #10 x 3/4" sheet metal screws. The
screw holes in the tray bottom should be
located so that the corresponding hole in the
stand will be in the center top of the center leg
of the PVC T underneath. (See photo at left)
Drill the hole using a 3/32" drill bit. Repeat for
all four corners of each tray then attach the
trays to the stand using the sheet metal
screws.
After drilling the first hole use a piece of paper
for a template to locate the remaining holes.
Place the paper in the corner and punch a
hole through the paper into the screw hole.
Mark the edges that go against the ouside of
the stand.

The Grow Light Stand in operation: