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DIY Agility Equipment

Last post 06-04-2008 4:28 PM by mudpuppy. 10 replies.
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  • 06-02-2008 1:16 PM

    DIY Agility Equipment

    I only have like minute before my next class (I'm in my school's computer lab and supposed to be working on an english project, my bad..). So, how do you make your own agility equipment, like the weaving poles, jumps, etc? Where can I find supplies? Thanks a lot!

    ~ISGrl
    Cadie - 8.5 yr/o Irish Setter
    Riley - 1.5 yr/o Irish Setter



    I love my shelter dog.
    Adoption IS the BEST option! =)
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  • 06-02-2008 6:26 PM In reply to IrishSetterGrl

    • Mystikees
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    There are many sites on the net where you can find plans to make your own equipment. Here are some sites which have lists of a few of them. Ought to get you started  .To find more, try a google or other search on: "dog agility" plans

    http://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/free-agility-plans.html

     http://www.parhelion.us/agility_equipment_links.htm#Building%20Plans

    http://dogplay.com/Activities/Agility/equipment.html

    Enjoy!

     

    Robin, Twix (left) and Zig Zag (right)

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  • 06-03-2008 8:51 AM In reply to Mystikees

    • KarissaKS
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    Most supplies that you need can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).  Most people use 3/4" PVC for weaves and 1" PVC for jumps.

    One thing you won't find locally (at least we don't around here) is the 4-way connectors.  There are many places online where you can buy them, though -- just do a search.  You need two per jump and six for a set of six poles.  You CAN get by without them, but construction is so much easier with the 4-ways.

    Jump cups are what set most people back.  You can buy some great pre-made jump cup strips that are correctly spaced, etc. -- but that adds up fast.  You can make your own jump cups by cutting a 3-way joint in half and doing a bit of shaving down.

    You can make your own chute with a plastic barrel (cut down) and a sheet.

    I've known some people make a training dog walk using planks raised on cinderblocks.

    My biggest limitation at this time is space because I live in an apartment and can't leave stuff out all the time.  I'm limited to weaves and a jump for now.


    Luke -- Lab/Shepherd (1-1-04) Open Versatility, EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, HP-O

    Kaiser -- Alaskan Klee Kai (12-30-07) Future Agility Star!
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  • 06-03-2008 9:47 AM In reply to IrishSetterGrl

    • Liesje
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    IrishSetterGrl:

    I only have like minute before my next class (I'm in my school's computer lab and supposed to be working on an english project, my bad..). So, how do you make your own agility equipment, like the weaving poles, jumps, etc? Where can I find supplies? Thanks a lot!

     

    I made a set of 12 channel weaves for $19 a few weeks ago.  I used 3/4 PVC.  I have three "standard" jumps made with 1" PVC.  The connectors and jump cups I order separately, everything else I get at Lowe's.

    http://www.dutchbingo.net/personal/Channel%20%20Weaves.pdf

    http://www.dutchbingo.net/personal/DIY%20Agility%20Jumps.pdf
     

    vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net
    U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC ("Kenya", GSD)
    VPC's Coca-Cola CGC ("Coke", All American)
    Alta-Tollhaus' Bono ("Nikon", GSD)
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  • 06-03-2008 9:50 AM In reply to KarissaKS

    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    For a set of 6 pole weaves you need 3 10 foot pieces of 3/4" PVC and 8 3/4" slip T connectors.  (cost is about $15)

    Cut 2 2" pieces.

    Cut 6 36" pieces.

    Cut 4 10"-12" pieces.

    Cut 5 20" pieces.

    Assemble by placing 2 of the 10--12" pieces in the bar portion of the T so they are opposite each other.  Insert the 2" piece into the remaing spot, the "leg".  Place the bar of another T on the end of the 2" piece so that the "leg" of the T is up in the air.  Place a 20" piece into the other side of the "bar" and a 36" piece into the "leg" which is in the air.  Repeat this until you are out of 20" and 36" pieces.  Place the remaining 2" piece into the open "bar" of the last T.  Place the "leg" of your last T over this 2" piece and then insert your remaining two 10-12" pieces into the open "bar" spots of that T.  You now have a set of WAM weave poles.

    ___________     <- this is the "bar" of the T
              |
              |
              |              <- this is the "leg" of a T
              |
              |
     

    For a jump.  Go to CleanRun.com and order 2 1" 4 way connectors and 1 set of PVC Jump Cup Strips.  Will cost you about $25.  Buy from a hardware store, 2 10 foot pieces of 1" PVC. (cost is about $6)  Cut 4 10" pieces, 2 36" pieces and 2 48" piece.

    Insert  2 of the 10" pieces into the "bar" of the 4-way.  Insert one of your 48" pieces into the leg of the 4-way that will be on the ground.  Insert 1 36" piece into the remaining "leg" so that it stands straight up in the air.  Attach the other 4-way connector onto the end of your 48" piece that is on the ground.  Insert the 2 10" pieces into the "bar" of the 4-way and the 36" piece into the last "leg" of the connector so it sticks up into the air.  Attach the jump cup strip per the instructions on the packaging.  Use your remaining 48" piece of PVC as your jump bar.

    Note:  For inside use or for smaller dogs, cut your 2 48" pieces down to 36" to make a smaller width jump. 

     

    I've done the whole, cut PVC T's in half to use as jump cups and the jump cup strips are TOTALLY worth the cost in ease and less hassle. 

    Leslie and the kids..
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  • 06-03-2008 1:41 PM In reply to KarissaKS

    • Maxs Mom
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    KarissaKS:

    One thing you won't find locally (at least we don't around here) is the 4-way connectors.  There are many places online where you can buy them, though -- just do a search.  You need two per jump and six for a set of six poles.  You CAN get by without them, but construction is so much easier with the 4-ways.

     

    My DH found 4-ways, 3-ways etc on the web on a green house web site. We got a great price and the more you buy the cheaper they get. I agree they are the hardest pieces to find.

    The only caution is if you have a big dog (your avatar is of an Irish Setter) be careful using PVC for any 'contact' equipment. Most PVC can hold a dog up to 70 lbs. PVC for contacts is for small dogs. We did use it on our table, but we reinforced it quite well. I don't know if you are planning any contact equipment, but I wanted to mention just in case.

    My DH has made me several jumps, a tire, a table, stick in the ground weaves, and a wooden adjustable teeter. We have tunnels that we got from Kids R Us, they are smaller than regulation but my 26" tall lab can get through and it makes the big agility class ones look EASY. We are working on coming up with modified dog walk and A frame.

     

    Ann & Art
    Maxine CGC, UADNJIII, DDNJ-r (11 yr old Golden)
    Belle NJP, NAJ, OJP, CGC, UAGI, UADSJ, UADJJ (5 Black Lab)
    Teddi UADJJ, UJJ, CGC (1 1/2 yr old Golden)
    Pete 14 yr old TB
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  • 06-03-2008 3:35 PM In reply to Maxs Mom

    • jdata
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    For my AF, I used ideas from the DIY Network from "Barkitecture" showand I also got them from here  http://www.himmlisch.com/agility.htm I'll be upgrading mine to a 9' from an 8'

    For Teeter, same as above and at one of the local trials here.

    Jumps and weaves, i didn't make them even though they are so easy to make. I just bought them.

    Tunnels, last Fall there was a company selling 12' x 28" tunnels for a hundred with free shipping so I bought them for starters.

    Chute and Barrel. It was free! We won their photo contest at affordable agility. Chloe is using their competition jump. l

    table was made from scraps of wood.

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  • 06-03-2008 3:42 PM In reply to jdata

    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    Just a note from sad experience- if your dog is large or drivey don't bother making PVC weaves, they will get destroyed very quickly.

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  • 06-03-2008 3:54 PM In reply to mudpuppy

    • Liesje
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    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    mudpuppy:

    Just a note from sad experience- if your dog is large or drivey don't bother making PVC weaves, they will get destroyed very quickly.

     

    But it's so much fun to see the poles fly!   

    vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net
    U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC ("Kenya", GSD)
    VPC's Coca-Cola CGC ("Coke", All American)
    Alta-Tollhaus' Bono ("Nikon", GSD)
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  • 06-04-2008 8:49 AM In reply to Liesje

    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    Liesje:

    mudpuppy:

    Just a note from sad experience- if your dog is large or drivey don't bother making PVC weaves, they will get destroyed very quickly.

     

    But it's so much fun to see the poles fly!   

     

    Ah, but for teaching them, they are great.  Open them wide up and when they are starting to really get it and you've closed the WAM, then consider getting a different set.  But to start, PVC is perfectly fine, especially for a big dog. 

    Leslie and the kids..
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  • 06-04-2008 4:28 PM In reply to tashakota

    Re: DIY Agility Equipment

    I've not had much success with the WAM or channel method with PVC. As you start to close them up the big drivey dogs continue to run in a straight line and just push the poles out of the way (or snap them off), because the PVC ones move too easily/break too easily. With a solid metal base they can't just push the poles out of the way and thus have to start making a weave motion.

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