Idea...need help.

[sforston]

Not really sure where to post this so...

I have an idea to make a halloween tree that resembles one at grandinroad.com

I'm planning on taking an old 6ft christmas tree and assembling it with fewer branches in different places, shaving the pine needles off, painting it black, and attaching a set of orange lights. What I can't figure out is something to build the body of the tree out from the metal to resemble a thicker tree trunk. Any ideas?

[LabRat]

A chunk of fabric (old (think) painters drop cloth?) soaked in glue.
You can pull it and shape it to make ridges etc, and then let it dry.

Paint & seal when done.


Not really sure where to post this so...

I have an idea to make a halloween tree that resembles one at grandinroad.com

I'm planning on taking an old 6ft christmas tree and assembling it with fewer branches in different places, shaving the pine needles off, painting it black, and attaching a set of orange lights. What I can't figure out is something to build the body of the tree out from the metal to resemble a thicker tree trunk. Any ideas?

[g2ktcf]

A chunk of fabric (old (think) painters drop cloth?) soaked in glue.
You can pull it and shape it to make ridges etc, and then let it dry.

Paint & seal when done.

Very Nice Idea.


Not really sure where to post this so...

I have an idea to make a halloween tree that resembles one at grandinroad.com

I'm planning on taking an old 6ft christmas tree and assembling it with fewer branches in different places, shaving the pine needles off, painting it black, and attaching a set of orange lights. What I can't figure out is something to build the body of the tree out from the metal to resemble a thicker tree trunk. Any ideas?

Now you realize that you have to share pictures of the final product right? :) Also, welcome to DIYC. You will find some very helpful and friendly folks here!

Cheers,
Chris

[51fordf2]

That spray foam in a can?? Hose it on, and you can "whittle" it to shape with a carving knife.

R

[BuzzKill]

That spray foam in a can?? Hose it on, and you can "whittle" it to shape with a carving knife.

I love that stuff.

Get some of that expanding foam. Put on some nitrile gloves you use for painting and such. Spray on, and then use your gloved hands to kind of spread it around a bit and wait for it to expand and set. Then just shape it with a rasp, or I use a electric turkey carving knife I picked up cheap at a garage sale. Then add your paint.

I did a spider body out of it once, turned out reallly cool.

[LabRat]

That spray foam in a can?? Hose it on, and you can "whittle" it to shape with a carving knife.

R

Check the label.. I seem to recall that a lot of these/those were not very happy about being exposed to the elements. (UV etc.)

[51fordf2]

You'll be painting it, anyway...the foam has a "skin", and if that's broken, it's MUCH more susceptible to weather. But, if you seal and paint, with a latex (NOT solvent based) paint, you'll be just fine. I've sprayed over a million square feet in the desert, and we used an elastomeric coating, that prevented any trouble. That is similar to the Kool Seal, or whatever it is, that they use on motor and mobile home roofs. If you have some of that, that would be best, but any good quality latex house paint would be just fine. Of course, the less you have to carve, the better off you are, because you don't break the skin, and you want it to look somewhat gnarly, anyway, right?

Keep us posted!

R

[sjwilson122]

How about aliminum foil. It can be crumpled and layered, then easily shaped. Some model railroaders use this method to make hills and mountain scenes.

[cenote]

Old screen wire and duck tape

[cenote]

Not to add work, but how about taking an log/big branch, turn that into truck, than drill holes for branches...now you got me thinking about a display, thanks

[docwakins]

http://aranamuerta.com/2008/01/29/halloween-tree


theres another one i have seen, will look later for it

[ctmal]

http://aranamuerta.com/2008/01/29/halloween-tree


theres another one i have seen, will look later for it

That's pretty cool!

[Pwmcguire]

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