How To Build Your Own Parallel Bars

Materials needed: (for 72″ in overall length)

• 4- 10ft pieces of 3/4 inch 40 PVC conduit ($6.47 each CAD)
• 10-PVC 90degree 3/4″ elbows ($1.10 each CAD)
• 8- PVC Tees 3/4″ ($1.14 each CAD)
• 12-feet of 3/4″ wooden dowel inserted into the upper PVC railing to give more rigidity to the top bars
• 1- can of PVC cement ($6.20 CAD)

Instructions:

1. Get a measure of the width of your child with his/her arms outstretched at the natural angle needed to comfortably hold onto the upper railing.
2. Also you will need to establish the height of the upper railing based on the height of your child and the distance from the floor his /her hands need to be to rest on the upper railing. In the case of 2 year old Oscar, the width between the bars was 13 1/2 “ and the height of  the top railing was 16“ from the floor.
3. Using a hack saw, metre saw, or whatever saw you might have, cut the PVC conduit into 8 three (3) foot sections. 
4. Cut an additional 2 sections of 3/4 “ PVC conduit measuring in this case           13 1/2 “ ( or your child’s width measurement ).
5. Cut 6 sections of 3/4 “ PVC conduit measuring in this case 16” ( or your child’s height measurement ).
6. Cut an additional 6 more 3/4” PVC pieces from the remaining conduit to provide for wider base support ( in our case the remaining conduit allowed for these pieces to be about 6-8” each ).
7. Using the 3/4” wooden dowel, cut  2  6 foot sections. These will be inserted into the upper conduit rails for added rigidity and support.
8. We purchased dollar store motivators that could be permanently or adjustably attached to the upper railing. 
9. Use the pictures attached below to build your custom parallel bars, using the PVC cement to secure the joints. If you want to be able to take the bars apart into two less cumbersome sections, you can simply not glue in the       13 1/2 “ cross pieces in Oscar’s parallel bars.