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Home » accessories » DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece

November 28, 2016 Brittany Bailey 17 Comments

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DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

I’m super excited to be back with another fun copper pipe tutorial for you to make for the holidays! Today let’s make this unique DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece that acts as a candelabra . . .

copper-pipe-centerpiece-side-view

. . . or a floral centerpiece.

copper-centerpiece-flowers

This is such a versatile project that can be used for your dinner table, a wedding centerpiece or a vase to hold flowers. If you wanted to alter the design, you could shorten the center pipe and use for a pencil holder. Regardless of how you use it, this DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece is sure to be a conversation starter!

copper-pipe-centerpiece-on-holiday-table

If you had fun getting used to using a Bernzomatic torch last week while making DIY Copper Ring Jewelry, then you’re going to love using a bigger torch to make this DIY Copper Centerpiece.

DIY Copper Ring Jewelry | Pretty Handy Girl

Not only that, you’ll be honing your soldering skills should you need to use them for a plumbing repair. I’m honored to be part of the Bernzomatic Torch Bearers program. Bernzomatic has sponsored this post to help you with some holiday decorating ideas.

Materials:

copper-centerpiece-materials

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

  • Bernzomatic TS4000 Trigger Start Torch
  • Bernzomatic MAP/Pro Gas Cylinder
  • Bernzomatic Flux & Lead Free Solder
  • Soldering Board (or non-flammable surface to work on)
  • 3/4″ Copper pipe (3 feet is plenty)
  • 4 – 90˚ 3/4″ copper street corner elbows
  • 5 – 3/4″ T connector fittings 
  • Tape measure
  • Paint brush
  • Speed Square and or Level
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves
  • Pipe cutter
  • Pliers
  • Sandpaper for metal
  • Metal file
  • Metal Effects Primer
  • Metal Effects Metallic Copper Paint
  • Wet rag
  • Bucket filled with cold water

Optional: Florist tubes

Cut List:

copper-pieces-cut-list-centerpiece

  • 2 – 2 3/8″ pipes
  • 4 – 2″ pipes
  • 1 – 7″ pipes
  • 2 – 5″ pipes
  • 1 – 4″ pipe

Instructions:

Cut your pipes to size. If you’ve never cut with a pipe cutter, you can watch this video to learn how.

Dry fit your pieces together as shown:

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

Then piece the centerpiece together completely as shown below. (The 4″ section with elbows connects the base pieces.)

dry-assemble-copper-centerpiece

The two 5″ pipes will not sit completely inside the “T” fittings. This will provide wiggle room to line up and assemble the top parts with the base. Feel free to adjust the 4″ base pipe until you fit everything together.

Sand all pipe ends with sandpaper.

Half Round Copper & Wood Side Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Pull apart the top and bottom of your centerpiece and place the base on your fireproof work surface to start. (I bought two paver blocks from Lowe’s to use for larger torch projects.)

copper-pipe-work-spot

Use the speed square to make sure all the pipes and fittings are plumb.

square-vertical-pipes

Apply a liberal amount of flux to all the connections.

flux-all-connections-copper-pipe

Start your Bernzomatic TS4000 Trigger Start Torch with the easy trigger start button. Heat each connection until the flux melts. Then hold the solder at the connection until the solder begins to flow. (You may need to solder one spot at a time or re-heat the solder and tilt the piece to help it flow around the connection.)

solder-vertical-pipe-pieces

Lift the base with gloves on or pliers and drop in the bucket of water to cool. Alternatively you can cool the pieces with a cold wet rag.

wipe-pipe-cold-rag-steam

Set the base aside and join the top assembly (1- 7″ pipe, 2 – 5″ pipes and 1 – 90˚ T connector.) Repeat the process of applying flux, heating and spreading the solder.

solder-t-piece-copper-pipe

At this point your parts should be assembled like this:

half-assembled-pieces

Slide the two “T” connectors onto your soldered top assembly. Slide the “T” connectors onto the base. Center the 7″ pipe and make sure it is plumb.

level-vertical-pipe-candle-holder

Solder the connections around the two side “T” connectors. Your soldering is now done. Cool off the centerpiece with a cold wet rag or in the bucket of water.

soldered-copper-pipe-centerpiece

Don’t stress if your soldering joints aren’t beautiful, I’ll show you how to cover them. Sand the entire centerpiece to remove any heat marks.

sand-copper-pipes

File any bumpy solder until smooth.

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

Wipe off the centerpiece with a wet rag to remove any metal shavings and dust. Paint Modern Masters Metal Effects Primer on all the soldered joints. Let the primer dry and add a second coat.

paint-metal-effects-primer-onto-solder-joints

After the primer has dried, paint Modern Masters Metal Effects Copper Paint onto the primed solder joints. Feather the paint onto the copper pipes and cover any imperfections. Let dry and apply a second coat.

paint-metal-effects-copper

You are done! Time to show off your new DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece! Add hand-dipped candles to the open fittings. For the center pipe, you’ll need to trim your candle and gently twist the candle into the pipe.

copper-pipe-centerpiece-on-holiday-table-2

If you want to use the centerpiece for a floral display, fill floral tubes with water and drop them into the openings. (Note: I slipped two 2″ copper pipe pieces into the shortest openings to hide the floral tubes. But, you could just add water to the centerpiece and put your flowers in directly.)

add-water-tubes

Add your flowers and enjoy!

copper-centerpiece-flowers

How fun is this DIY Copper Centerpiece? It would look great as a centerpiece for a rustic or industrial themed wedding or party! You could change the configuration of the pipes and fittings if you like.

copper-centerpiece-flowers-bernzomatic-3

Add four more extensions and fitting openings to create a beautiful menorah for Hanukkah!

Don’t walk, run to the plumbing section at your local hardware store and get creative!

copper-pipe-centerpiece-candleabra-lit-2

Until next time…

PHGFancySign

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Bernzomatic. As a Bernzomatic Torch Bearer, I was provided complimentary torches and was compensated for my time and efforts. I was not told what to write. All opinions are my own. I am particular about the brands I represent and will always let you know when you are reading a sponsored post.

 

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accessories, arts and craft, Centerpieces, Decorating, Holiday decorating, Home Decor

Comments

  1. Leo Goumrouyan says

    January 30, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    Wow this is very creative! I’d never think you could make such beautiful things with these ugly pipes 🙂 Great inspirational post, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. plant pots says

    December 5, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    Creative!

    Reply
  3. Colleen Taylor says

    December 1, 2016 at 9:42 am

    This is just the coolest Brittany! I’d love to try to make one of these. Elegance with an industrial flair. Great tutorial.

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      December 4, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks. It was fun to make!

      Reply
  4. Veronica says

    November 30, 2016 at 1:49 am

    So much creativity in a single post. WOW!!!

    Reply
  5. Kristen says

    November 29, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Love this. Thanks! Would it have to be soldered? My husband and I now leave that up to the plumbers but maybe I could handle this.

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      November 29, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      Kristen, if you don’t solder it, the pipes will rotate and collapse on itself. It also wouldn’t be water tight if you wanted to add water to the base section.

      Reply
  6. Johanna says

    November 29, 2016 at 2:48 am

    This looks really amazing! Wow!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project.

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