Easy Mega Tree - Instructables.com

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Easy Mega Treeby jcommisso on December 9, 2015

Table of Contents

Easy Mega Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Easy Mega Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Prepare Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 2:   Drill Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 3:   Connect The Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 4:   Put The Pole Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 5:   Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 6:   Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Mega-Tree/

Intro:  Easy Mega TreeHi! This Instructable will show you how to build a simple mega tree for Christmas! All you need is the following:

1. A sturdy PVC pipe cut to size*

2. Christmas lights (I used 2 30 foot strands)

3. A drill or something to make holes with

4. Yard stakes (I found this 3D printable model by mouserunner on Thingiverse. Click Here)

5. Strings cut a foot longer than the pipe

6. Optional: A pole that can fit inside the PVC pipe to hammer in the ground. *If you do not use this, leave an extra foot of the PVC pipe to bury*

7. Optional: Tree topper

Sorry that I don't have much pictures, as I created this Instructable after. I also took the final pictures with my Canon SLR, so that explains the huge quality difference! :)

Image Notes1. Color And Clear

Image Notes1. Clear

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Image Notes1. Color

Step 1: Prepare StringsThis step is easy. All you have to do is cut 4 strings. They must be a foot longer than the pipe itself. I used thin white string as it is hard to see at night.

Image Notes1. Didn't Have Any Images For The Strings :)

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Step 2: Drill HolesNow we will be drilling the holes for the strings and lights. I did not use exact measurements for this. For the string holes, I went about 3/4th inch from the top and drilled 4holes on each "side". Kind of forming a square if you connect the points. I also created recessed slots on the top of the pole for the Christmas lights to sit in. You can dothis at the position you wish to hang the lights from. You do not have to do this if you find a better way to mount the lights. My original design was a tennis ball bottle atthe top screwed to the pipe with slots to hold the lights. If this confused you, just look at the pictures. :)

Image Notes1. Strings Tied

Step 3: Connect The StringsNow we will connect the pole to the yard stakes. This is simple. Just tie one side of the strings to the four holes we made earlier, and tie the other sides to the yardstakes. Be sure not to get them tangled (I did and it was not fun)! To store it away for the season, you can just wrap the strings around the stakes and put the stakes inthe top of the PCV.

Image Notes1. String Tied Here2. String Tied Here

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Step 4: Put The Pole UpYou can connect the lights to the pole before this if you would like. I found it easier to do it after and use a ladder to put the lights up. To mount the pole, you also mightwant a person to help you. First, find the spot you would like the tree to be in. If you did not use the little pole, dig a one foot hole to bury the pipe and bury it. If you diduse the little pole, pound the little pole into the ground with a rubber mallet (about six inches to a foot down). Place the PVC pipe on the little pole (little pole goes inside).Have the person hold the pole straight (optional but very helpful). Take the first string and stake it into the ground until there is tension, but not enough to bend the pole.Repeat this for all the sides. Make sure you do not go too far or close, or the pole will lean. Each stake must be an even length from the pole. Once the person releasesthe pole, it should stand up straight.

Image Notes1. Little Pole In Ground. Large Pole Will Go Around It.

Image Notes1. Stake

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Image Notes1. Strings Staked In Ground

Step 5: LightsAs I mentioned earlier, I put the lights on after I put the pole up with a little step stool. This part is easy. Just stake the lights in on one side of the pole (you can connect itto the string stake too), put the lights inside the mounting holes on the top, and stake the lights on in the other side. Look at the pictures for help.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Mega-Tree/

Image Notes1. Top View

Image Notes1. Lights Strung On Top

Step 6: OptionsHere are a few suggestions that you can do!

1. Animate the mega tree! You can use a DIY Arduino controller. Just look here: http://bit.ly/1Ue7fPA . You can also use commercial options, such as Light O Rama.

2. Add a star!* You can glue, zip tie, or place a star to the top of the mega tree! Make sure it isn't a heavy star.

3. Paint the PVC pole! You can spray paint the pole to make it look better. Maybe candy cane stripe or green.

4. Shield the wires! I put Press N Seal around the plugs (on the rest of my display too) to keep water out.

5. Add ornaments! I added ornaments that you can see in the daytime. It was $1 for 16 (The string was terrible)

6. Comment your suggestion! What would you do to make this better?

*I created a star with a coat hanger, lights, spray paint, and cardboard. Look at the pictures!

Thanks for reading! Please share and vote for me in the Make It Glow challenge and Merry Christmas!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Mega-Tree/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Mega-Tree/

Related Instructables

Christmas MegaTree by Stryker

The Grinchstole myChristmas lightsby Stryker

Whatis the Best Wayto Decorate aSmall andFestiveChristmasTree? byn.langham1

Bike Rim MiniMega Tree byzackook

Painting aArtificialChristmas TreePurple bybrianbaindesign

Jesus/CrucifixChristmas TreeTopper byjesuschirstmas

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Comments

6 comments Add Comment

 Erika021084 says:  Dec 15, 2015. 2:09 PM  REPLYThank you so much! Para cord!!! Never thought about it! Great idea! And it's not very windy now but it's been pretty windy !!!! So thank you much and I will!!

 Erika021084 says:  Dec 15, 2015. 12:36 PM  REPLYThank u so much! Kite string it is then, Iam gonna attemp to do this project before Xmas, if not surely for next, thanks again for updating!! One morequestion!!? Where do u buy kite string and do u think fish line would work?

 jcommisso says:  Dec 15, 2015. 1:58 PM  REPLYHi! I am not sure where you can buy kite string. I found it in my garage but maybe you can find it on Amazon. It is nothing special. It seems like regularstring to me. As for the fishing line, it might work! Keep in mind that the weight is not completely on the strings (see step 4), so there is a high chance itmight work! If the fishing line says that it supports more than 5 pounds, there is a chance. Also, earlier you asked about the wind. If it is windy where youlive, I would try paracord! It is very strong and would be perfect for windy areas! If you decide to make this, have fun and don't forget to post pictures!! :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Mega-Tree/

 Erika021084 says:  Dec 13, 2015. 7:22 PM  REPLYAwesome work, always wanted to make one! I just didn't even where to start! Did you use a certain type of string? And how does it hold up weather wise? (wind gusts)

 jcommisso says:  Dec 15, 2015. 11:49 AM  REPLYHi again! It was actually fairly windy today (16 MPH gusts) and the tree is still standing! I'm not sure how much wind you get in your area though.

 jcommisso says:  Dec 14, 2015. 4:09 AM  REPLYThank you! I just used regular kite string. So far it has been holding up fine to the weather, but I will let you know again once it is windy.