I had seen some other homemade ones that used the standard end caps. But those caps are bulky, rounded (so it can't sit on end), and are $3.95 a piece (for 3"). The other day when I was at Home Depot, I noticed they had these knockout test caps for a whopping 30 cents each. A lot less bulk, flat on the end, and way cheaper. They're about 0.070" thick and the center is meant to be knocked out as a single disc. So, just as a little extra insurance, I used some 10-32 screws that stick into the inner recess of the caps just in case the center decides to start coming out. Worst case, I can always cut some discs of plywood to take the place of the knockout caps. I haven't glued anything yet - this one is the sole prototype so far. A few more features that I think would help make it complete are:
1) A square flange at the bottom of the main tube to help keep it stable when upright and keep it from rolling when laying down.
2) A loop / D handle on the top to make removing the lid easier.
3) Some sort of strap / latch to make sure it stays closed.
If anyone wants to make one, the main tube is 3" PVC 10+7/16 long and the lid tube is 3" PVC 4.5 long. The knockout test caps are Oatey 33462 and the coupling is a run-of-the-mill Charlotte brand ($1.23). The test caps kill 7/16 of the usable length on each end and the coupling adds back about 3/16, so the useful inside length is about 14.25. The main body has a useable depth of 10", so it will work for both 12 and 14" electrodes. Pictured is a 5-lb batch of 14" 6011s. When putting the lid on, it's helpful to gather the electrodes into a bundle with one hand so they don't catch on the inside of the lid. Should be able to make 7 of them out of a 10-foot piece of pipe, so about $1.25 of pipe in each one (a little over $3 total when you add in the caps and a coupling).
1) A square flange at the bottom of the main tube to help keep it stable when upright and keep it from rolling when laying down.
2) A loop / D handle on the top to make removing the lid easier.
3) Some sort of strap / latch to make sure it stays closed.
If anyone wants to make one, the main tube is 3" PVC 10+7/16 long and the lid tube is 3" PVC 4.5 long. The knockout test caps are Oatey 33462 and the coupling is a run-of-the-mill Charlotte brand ($1.23). The test caps kill 7/16 of the usable length on each end and the coupling adds back about 3/16, so the useful inside length is about 14.25. The main body has a useable depth of 10", so it will work for both 12 and 14" electrodes. Pictured is a 5-lb batch of 14" 6011s. When putting the lid on, it's helpful to gather the electrodes into a bundle with one hand so they don't catch on the inside of the lid. Should be able to make 7 of them out of a 10-foot piece of pipe, so about $1.25 of pipe in each one (a little over $3 total when you add in the caps and a coupling).
