I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of the medium trees I made. I used the idea from both “lineman” and “inzeos” and then decided to make the tree 7' tall in lieu of a mini tree. I have put lights on these tree frames now using a spiraling method for placement thus making them spiral trees. Then I decided to add some elements to the tree to make it possible for me to tear them down a little bit in lieu of storing the 48" diameter 7' tall trees "as is".
Bill of Materials
16 - 40" pieces of 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC
16 – 12” pieces of 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC
16 – 3 ½” pieces of 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC
16 - 45degree 3/4" PVC elbows
8 - 3/4" PVC Tees
8 - 3/4" PVC Crosses (intersects)
1 - 4" PVC Cap
1 - 5"x1/2" carriage bolt
3 - 1/2" washers
2 - 1/2" nut2
1 - tennis ball
16 - hooks
Step 1 – Start by making the base using the 12” PVC pieces, 8 of the 45 degree elbows and 8 tees. Test fit them together then lay them on the ground making sure you have an even octagon.
Step 2 – insert one 40” pipe in each Tee, then assemble the middle ring using crosses, elbows and 3 ½” pipe to form yet another octagon.
Step 3 – Place screws through cap evenly spaced along the octagon intersect lines (close will work fine). Then slide the cap onto the top carefully placing each ¾” pipe in order and the screw inside the pipe.
Step 4 – Drill a ½” hole in the center of the PVC Cap, and the tennis ball. Then place one nut on the carriage bolt leaving about 2” to the bolt head, follow with a washer, then place tennis ball on bolt, followed by washer. Place bolt and ball assembly through ½” hole in cap with tennis ball acting as a compressor for the ¾” pipes around the inside perimeter of the PVC cap.
Step 5 – Place final washer and nut on top of PVC cap. Tighten as you need to for snugness. This will give you a tight fit, yet be able to be torn down.
Step 6 – Prime and glue only the 3 ½” and 12” pieces of pipe to their fittings, leaving all of the connections to the 40” materials loose.
Step 7 – drill pilot holes and place all of the screw in hooks.
Step 8 – paint PVC assembly, I recommend the Krylon plastic paint, it worked great and has a nice flat black with a good tooth to the plastic.
By adding the bolt at the top I gave myself a place to mount a star or tree topper. By not gluing the 40” legs you can use those to tear the tree down into sections for seasonal storage.
Enjoy,
CB
