Trellis

I saw a tutorial that used PVC corner connectors for the trellises.  I was wondering if anyone has tried this, or has any thoughts on how this would hold up to the weight of some of the heavier crops like melons.  

Welcome to the forum, Mama Bear !  Are you in SFGer?

After building my first trellis with hardware those PVC elbows are all I use now, except mine are gray. The trellises hold up just like the one with the hardware does.  The only difference is they twist and turn a bit when I'm carrying them out from and  in to storage.  Not a big deal.  They can be a bear to get into the conduit but I found that if I coat them with coconut oil or some such they go in more easily.
CC

I cannot picture this at all. How do you do this?

Cape Coddess, Thank you so much. That is exactly what I needed to hear.
Scorpio Rising, Here is the original video tutorial that I watched.  

I must be losing it. I just left a reply asking CC if she had any pics of the trellis. But I must have hit the wrong button, it doesn't show up. Oh well, I would like to see the trellis CC, if you have any pics. Thanks, Rock

Oh! Now I get it! Thanks! That looks like it would work great!

Boy, that guy really knows how to wield a sledgehammer. Makes it look so easy. Great video! Thanks.

Rock, my trellises look just like the one in the video. Except for the one my mother helped me with but that's another story.

 I know, the video wasn't up when you first asked right?

It looked like the elbows he used in the video were male tubing connectors designed to fit into the 1/2" tubing.  ??

Mamabear,  the fitting in your photo looks like a female connector designed for the metal tube to fit inside.  ?? Also, I would like to welcome you to the Forum from California!

I've always had trouble attaching the netting to the trellis; it seems that the "ties" are frequently too short, so I have to improvise.  Otherwise, the process is quite simple. 

I have begun using zip ties to secure the netting more tightly.

MamaBear,
Thanks for posting this question. It amazes me how often I am thinking about something and someone else posts the exact same question I had.

I was wanting to build my mother some trellises but hate spending more money for the corners than the EMT cost.

After seeing this post, I looked around on Lowes.com and found tons of 1/2" fittings. I am guessing that I will be spending some time in the store next week carrying around a piece of 1/2" EMT and maybe even a piece of 3/4" too.

Here is what I found:
The dimensions for 1/2" EMT

These sizes were pretty consistent on various websites.


It looks like the fitting that MB posted is a "1/2-in Dia Brass/Plastic PEX Elbow Crimp Fitting"


It looks like the fitting in the Video is a "1/2-in Dia 90 Elbow Plastic Coil Fitting used in Drip Irrigation""


I am not certain if the fittings MB posted and the one in the video are for 1/2" or 3/4" tubing. From my research, the 1/2" appear to be too small, but the 3/4" appear too big. However, I did see in the video that there was some plastic scraped off when he hammered them in the EMT.

MamaBear, do you know which size fitting you used?

I will try to follow up Monday after going to the store

I get 1/2 inch size, which fits into the half inch conduit, at Home Depot for about $0.59. Looks like it's called a barb tubing elbow.
http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/1-2-pvc-insert-elbow-90-1406-005.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwx7u5BRC1lePz2biJpIYBEiQA-ZeDmm1tgtT1KwhAsHym8k5KyPh9g4cHa3WrSOsvhIbDTswaAuTM8P8HAQ

CC, Can you remove it, or are they "permanent"?

sanderson wrote:CC,  Can you remove it, or are they "permanent"?

Hmm... I really don't know the answer, Sanderson, I've never tried. I wonder if you can twist the conduit off with a monkey wrench...

A little heat might soften it some and allow it to be pulled out.

I am just concerned if it will break from the weight of the veggies pulling down on the top bar

ralitaco wrote:A little heat might soften it some and allow it to be pulled out.

I am just concerned if it will break from the weight of the veggies pulling down on the top bar

As was mama bear. Mine are in their fifth year right now and none of them has ever broken. I think once you get your hands on one and see how well it's made you'll know whether it will be an issue or not in your garden.

sanderson wrote:It looked like the elbows he used in the video were male tubing connectors designed to fit into the 1/2" tubing.  ??

Mamabear,  the fitting in your photo looks like a female connector designed for the metal tube to fit inside.  ??  Also, I would like to welcome you to the Forum from California!

I only looked at it online, so I'm not 100% sure if it was inside or outside fitting, but when I go to the store I will certainly be looking for the ones the guy used in the video.

mamabear wrote:

sanderson wrote:It looked like the elbows he used in the video were male tubing connectors designed to fit into the 1/2" tubing.  ??

Mamabear,  the fitting in your photo looks like a female connector designed for the metal tube to fit inside.  ??  Also, I would like to welcome you to the Forum from California!

I only looked at it online, so I'm not 100% sure if it was inside or outside fitting, but when I go to the store I will certainly be looking for the ones the guy used in the video.

The ridges around the connector are on the outside so I think it is meant to go on the inside of the conduit/pvc.

donnainzone5 wrote:I've always had trouble attaching the netting to the trellis; it seems that the "ties" are frequently too short, so I have to improvise.  Otherwise, the process is quite simple. 

I have begun using zip ties to secure the netting more tightly

I use 14 guage copper electrical wiring, solid, not stranded,  instead of zip ties.  You can get it at the big box hardware stores in rolls.  You can use it like a twist tie and it lasts forever.  Try it and you'll never use zip ties again.