| New Mini-Mega Tree Topper |
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Despite having only 16 channels last year, I really wanted to do a Mega Tree. I had a decision,
either have the entire 16 channels devoted to the tree or a portion of them. I decided on 4
channels. I separated my tree into 8 slices and devoted 2 opposing slices to a channel. The
tree looked great but I had a few problems with it. (none that really affected the show though)
First, The tree tilted a bit. This was because I used a PVC pipe for the trunk. It bent. This year I
will invest in a heavier duty galvanized replacement trunk. No bending there! The Second
problem that I had can be seen in the following photos:
either have the entire 16 channels devoted to the tree or a portion of them. I decided on 4
channels. I separated my tree into 8 slices and devoted 2 opposing slices to a channel. The
tree looked great but I had a few problems with it. (none that really affected the show though)
First, The tree tilted a bit. This was because I used a PVC pipe for the trunk. It bent. This year I
will invest in a heavier duty galvanized replacement trunk. No bending there! The Second
problem that I had can be seen in the following photos:
I made the topper from wood, then didn't treat it properly and the result was a near disaster! If
this would have come apart during the show period, I would have had a real problem on my
hands! Well, this year it was back to the drawing board. I had seen someone on one of the
various forums that I frequent, use PVC for their topper. Now that's the topper for me! After a
quick trip to Home Depot...
this would have come apart during the show period, I would have had a real problem on my
hands! Well, this year it was back to the drawing board. I had seen someone on one of the
various forums that I frequent, use PVC for their topper. Now that's the topper for me! After a
quick trip to Home Depot...
I came up with the following
supplies. 1 1/2 ID lenght of
PVC, a screw type sleeve, a
cap and a reducer fitting,
along with 12 bolt hooks.
supplies. 1 1/2 ID lenght of
PVC, a screw type sleeve, a
cap and a reducer fitting,
along with 12 bolt hooks.
I marked the sleeve
for hook placement.
I'm not much of a
perfectionist so I just
eyeballed the
marking placements.
I also marked two
circles on the OD.
This is to stagger the
Hooks. My thinking
was that staggered
the tips of the hooks
will not interfere with
each other.
for hook placement.
I'm not much of a
perfectionist so I just
eyeballed the
marking placements.
I also marked two
circles on the OD.
This is to stagger the
Hooks. My thinking
was that staggered
the tips of the hooks
will not interfere with
each other.
The holes were
drilled and the hooks
installed. You can
see the tight
tolerance for the tips.
Glad I staggered
them.
drilled and the hooks
installed. You can
see the tight
tolerance for the tips.
Glad I staggered
them.
The screw cap
goes in place then
the reducing
fitting on the
bottom.
goes in place then
the reducing
fitting on the
bottom.
| A very quick project completed. |
I ran out to Home Depot looking for something... anything
that might help me mount the Star on the Tree Topper. The
base of this star was just a post. I found this Joiner which
acted like a sleeve on the post and screwed it down tight.
Then I drilled a hole in the top of the tree topper and Ran a
bolt through it, fixing it in place with a nut. Then the joiner
placed on the end of the bolt and Viola!
that might help me mount the Star on the Tree Topper. The
base of this star was just a post. I found this Joiner which
acted like a sleeve on the post and screwed it down tight.
Then I drilled a hole in the top of the tree topper and Ran a
bolt through it, fixing it in place with a nut. Then the joiner
placed on the end of the bolt and Viola!
Now I just have to figure out how to
mount the Star!
mount the Star!
Just ran out to buy my galvanzed pipe for the Mega Tree. I slid
it into place with the tree topper in place. It is 10 feet to the
hooks and 11.5 feet to the tip of the star. This is a far cry from
the Mega tree of last year. Which was only 8.5 feet to the very
top.
it into place with the tree topper in place. It is 10 feet to the
hooks and 11.5 feet to the tip of the star. This is a far cry from
the Mega tree of last year. Which was only 8.5 feet to the very
top.