Grab a pool noodle and head to your local hardware store. Ask for 1/2″ Charlotte pipe – it’s a straight PVC pipe with 1/2″ INSIDE diameter. My pool noodles are from Dollar Tree. The diameter of the inside hole is 3/4″ wide. Your pool noodles may be bigger. Not to worry, Charlotte pipe comes in a variety of widths. Remember, though, that PVC pipe is measured by the INSIDE diameter, not the outside diameter. Hence, the 1/2″ wide piece of Charlotte pipe fits inside the pool noodle’s 3/4″ diameter hole.
Vickery Hardware in Smyrna, GA cut the PVC pipe for me to 9″ lengths (my preference – cut to whatever length you like). I marked the center with a Sharpie. I merely slide one pool noodle up to the mark, then twist the other side on to meet. The connector is long enough that I do not feel the need to reinforce the connection with duct tape.
Cost: $1.32!
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