Got a patio umbrella but didn't want to pay for a base. Have rocks, sand and pail, figured I'd try making one myself.

So I have a piece of PVC secured in the bucket and then needed to lock the umbrella post into it. A person who values their time would have simply cross drilled and put in a pin, but I wanted to turn something so I made a circular wedge.

Turn a taper:

Bore for the post:

Then cut in half:

And done!

It's held up just fine in its first weekend of use.