Rick's Mini Mini Tree

[rrowan]

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

[Ron]

Looks good.  Now, let see some lights on that tree!

Ron

[rrowan]

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.

[REM]

How sturdy is it?  Seems like the butt joints would be pretty easy to break. Did you use PVC cement on those too?

[Ron]

Woops, I missed the attachments.  It looks great in the video.

Ron

[rrowan]

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.

[Brad]

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

Brad

[rrowan]

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.

[rrowan]

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

Brad

I do what I can

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.

[PJNMCT]

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

[rrowan]

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.

[KeithTarpley]

Greetings,,,,

I think I like these red and green glowing spikes even better than your death trees.   

Nice....

Keith

[RJ]

Very nice Rick!

RJ

[rrowan]

Very nice Rick!

RJ

Thanks

Todd we very helpful in the idea/design phase.

Rick R.

[PJNMCT]

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