DiyLightAnimation
Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: rrowan on May 08, 2009,
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Hi Folks,
I have been working on this little tree for a little while now. The biggest problem I had in starting it was the rain. Since I have to do all of my cutting outside.
The plan is to have a short tree to line across the front yard. If my measurements are correct then I will need 16 of these little guys. Since building the first one I have already made one change that is to make each "branch" one piece. So instead of cutting two pieces it will be one piece that I will just bend to fit.
Stats: (Current cost to build one tree - $2.07 Not including paint/lights)
- 18 Inches tall
- 16.5 inches wide
- pvc construction
- (1) 10 foot 1/2 inchschedule 40 pvc
- (1) 1/2 inch cross
Update:
There are now only 5 parts for the tree - the main pole and four branches
1 - 18" (Center pole)
4 - 22" (branches)
A lot easier and stronger
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Looks good. Now, let see some lights on that tree!
Ron
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Looks good. Now, let see some lights on that tree!
Ron
Its in the video
I forgot to take a picture of the tree with the light attached.
Sorry
Rick R.
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How sturdy is it? Seems like the butt joints would be pretty easy to break. Did you use PVC cement on those too?
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Woops, I missed the attachments. It looks great in the video.
Ron
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How sturdy is it? Seems like the butt joints would be pretty easy to break. Did you use PVC cement on those too?
At the joints I have glue, wood dowels and screw holding it together. Seems to be pretty strong but I have not tried and stress test.
Rick R.
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Thanks Rick >:(
...just when I thought I had everything figured out, you know, ch count, controller(s), light string count, for 09...
Now I have to build some of those trees ;D ;D
Brad
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Woops, I missed the attachments. It looks great in the video.
Ron
Thanks Ron
Next tree I am going to try to wrap the lights better. Hopefully get a better looking lit tree
btw: it has 100 lights of red and 100 lights of green on it.
Rick R.
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Thanks Rick >:(
...just when I thought I had everything figured out, you know, ch count, controller(s), light string count, for 09...
Now I have to build some of those trees ;D ;D
Brad
I do what I can :D
I know what you mean about ch counts and lights, etc - Doing these trees has already changed some "new" items. So now they are slated for next year.
Cheers
Rick R.
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Since building the first one I have already made one change that is to make each "branch" one piece. So instead of cutting two pieces it will be one piece that I will just bend to fit.
Rick,
Great Idea!
Now, think - UMBRELLAS!
Notch each branch in three places near the connections and the center point, make the cross "slidable", put a pin through the center post at the point of full extension and voila - collapsable trees for storage!!!
Just a thought - I may or may not actually try it.
-Paul
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Since building the first one I have already made one change that is to make each "branch" one piece. So instead of cutting two pieces it will be one piece that I will just bend to fit.
Rick,
Great Idea!
Now, think - UMBRELLAS!
Notch each branch in three places near the connections and the center point, make the cross "slidable", put a pin through the center post at the point of full extension and voila - collapsable trees for storage!!!
Just a thought - I may or may not actually try it.
-Paul
Neat idea,
I would try two crosses then. the top cross would only drill out one side to provide a top. Then just mill out the bottom part of each fitting on the cross to give a hinge. Maybe for the part of the branch that connects the down to the horizontal you would have to ream out one piece in a u shape.
Sounds like a lot of work to me LOL
Cheers
Rick R.
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Greetings,,,,
I think I like these red and green glowing spikes even better than your death trees. ;D
Nice....
Keith
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Very nice Rick!
RJ
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Very nice Rick!
RJ
Thanks :)
Todd we very helpful in the idea/design phase.
Rick R.
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Neat idea,
I would try two crosses then. the top cross would only drill out one side to provide a top. Then just mill out the bottom part of each fitting on the cross to give a hinge. Maybe for the part of the branch that connects the down to the horizontal you would have to ream out one piece in a u shape.
Sounds like a lot of work to me LOL
Cheers
Rick R.
I LIKE it!
I knew the whole notch thing would be too flimsy...another good idea!
-Paul
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I like this idea. I have a few of the hobby lobby 3 legged easels or whatever they are and I don't like them. I don't understand the mod where you made the branch one piece. Could you explain it a little better for the PVC impaired? ;D
I probably won't mount mine on a wooden base. I will just drive a piece of rebar into the ground and slide the tree over it.
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I like this idea. I have a few of the hobby lobby 3 legged easels or whatever they are and I don't like them. I don't understand the mod where you made the branch one piece. Could you explain it a little better for the PVC impaired? ;D
I probably won't mount mine on a wooden base. I will just drive a piece of rebar into the ground and slide the tree over it.
The wood base is just a work station (holds the tree up and I can spin it while putting the lights on). I will use rebar when they go out into the yard.
I am not comfortable posting how I bend the pvc in a public forum. I can pm you what I did.
Unless after talking it over with RJ and the rest of the staff and they feel its ok.
I just assembled 8 trees today. I will post pictures later
Thanks
Rick R.
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Ok, then I just didn't understand they mount. PM me if you can't post it. ;D
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Here are two pictures from todays assembly.
The first one showing 5 trees all ready for the paint (flat black)
The second picture is just a close up of the center tree.
Just in case someone wants to know.
The trees are still 18" high
1 - 18" (Center pole)
4 - 22" (branches)
Cheers
Rick R.
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Thx for the pics. I like those mini trees.
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Awesome manicured yard too Rick!
John
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I was trying to build a mini mini tree last night, but I still haven't figured out an easy way to bend the PVC :-[
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Hi folks
After a couple changes to make it safer and the official go ahead here is the info. My two jigs are very basic things. Just a piece of wood and some screws but it does work.
ok. the new version of the "branch"
***********First a warning *******************
PVC fumes are toxic and dangerous to your health.
Use a heat gun to heat up the pvc to get it soft enough to bend. The goal is to heat it up without burning it. You don't want any brown and seriously no black. So take it slow and evenly heat up the pipe (ie: turn it while heating)
Once the branch shape is done and cooled off then we need to cut the top angle. I made another jig and secured it to my power mitre saw. Once lined up its a quick process.
Next is to assembly the pieces. The cross slides on the vertical pole and then I just add a branch. Drill a hole and run a screw in. Repeat for the other 3 branches.
Rick R.