Project 180 x 10 ft Mega Tree

[stallionent]

I went to 3/4 Tees instead of snap saddles on the 3 uprights, more sturdy.

Before: 100_2125.jpg
After: 100_2126.jpg
Next step will be to cut the six long 3/4 in. pipe to length to get my 72" radius, then glue all pieces together.

[Barnabybear]

Hi, once you have the lenght cut and proved that all is good it might be worth considering filling the tube with something to add weight and possably make it more rigid. Sand would add weight to resist the upward force of the strings, morter or a form of resin would make the tube more rigid. As you have everthing prepeared it might be worth holding back on the glue untill later in the year as it's a one way step.

[ben&bobbi]

Hey guys, i have been trying to figure out mine also. My current base is 3/4" PVC. I had one ring on top, another on the bottom and 8 braces between them. What happened was, the PVC got wavy (assuming our lovely Christmas heat had some effect), the more i tightened the string, the more the PVC bowed. I added mini cables like Xenia shows from the top rail to the ground, but without one at each string, still PVC was wavy. This was a 7' Dia base 180 tree with 16 strings. this tree was also a spiral wrapped incan tree, so there was tension on the .25" support wires!

I was thinking of using 3/4 EMT and bending a half circle. My neighbor said he would help since he has experience bending EMT.

Are you using James strips for the lights, or something like Louie has?

[nutz4lights]

Hi guys,

For my base, I bought a green house amateur hoop bender to form my fence post base. The only thing is that you have to pick a diameter when you buy one typically. Mine is a bit big, but I don't remember it costing too much. Maybe a few locals could split one.

Louie

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[stallionent]

green house amateur hoop bender

$54 (+ shipping?) for a 6 ft. dia..

[nutz4lights]

Do they have smaller than 4 foot radius? Mine is 6 foot radius... that makes a BIG hoop. Your tree probably will look better with a 2 foot radius 4 foot diameter.

Louie

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[stallionent]

Corrected my radius to 3 foot (6 foot diameter) that is the base I'm building

[EricJilot]

$39 (+ shipping?) for a 2 foot radius (4 foot Diameter). I'd be interested in buying one if any locals can share the cost?

Probably build a jig from plywood cheaper, especially after adding the shipping costs. Just use a string at the length of the radius of you required diameter to draw the arc on the plywood. Then cut it out with a jigsaw. you can create the brace using a couple of pieces of metal and a screws.

[nutz4lights]

I believe to do this properly you would have to stack two pieces of 3/4" plywood which would cost near $30 around here, then time factored in as well. That led me to purchase mine and it was super easy to use.

Louie

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[stallionent]

+1 Louie