Light_addiction Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Hey everyone, I've been a watcher for sometime now and decided to finally join. I've been doing my display for going on 8 years now. I'm looking to buying my first LOR starter set this year. So my first post is that I'm wondering how some of you made the mini Christmas trees out of tomato cages? I got the ones that has 3 runners going up and it seems like it needs more runners to make it look more like a tree and round. Any ideas? Or how-to's? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) 23 hours ago, Light_addiction said: Hey everyone, I've been a watcher for sometime now and decided to finally join. I've been doing my display for going on 8 years now. I'm looking to buying my first LOR starter set this year. So my first post is that I'm wondering how some of you made the mini Christmas trees out of tomato cages? I got the ones that has 3 runners going up and it seems like it needs more runners to make it look more like a tree and round. Any ideas? Or how-to's? Thanks! Take 2 cages inside each other until veins don't line up. Solved at the tops just put a little outside bend and zip tie tight so zip tie won't come off during moving around JR Edited July 13, 2017 by dibblejr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) You will also need lots of zip ties Welcome to the addiction. JR Edited July 13, 2017 by dibblejr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 20 minutes ago, dibblejr said: You will also need lots of zip ties Buy Zip Ties by the thousand and they are a lot cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 28 minutes ago, dibblejr said: Take 2 cages inside each other until veins don't line up. Solved at the tops just put a little outside bend and zip tie tight so zip tie won't come off during moving around JR Thanks, I didn't even think of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 28 minutes ago, dibblejr said: You will also need lots of zip ties Welcome to the addiction. JR I knew zip ties would definitely be needed. Lol 7 minutes ago, k6ccc said: Buy Zip Ties by the thousand and they are a lot cheaper! Where do yall buy zip ties in bulk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Just now, Light_addiction said: Where do yall buy zip ties in bulk? I buy them generally from an electronics store near where I work called Pacific Radio, but there are lots of on line sources. I have also used http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 3 minutes ago, k6ccc said: I buy them generally from an electronics store near where I work called Pacific Radio, but there are lots of on line sources. I have also used http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/ Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Arch Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Or use those zip ties on PVC mini trees: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 And get a Zip tie gun (I got mine at Amazon) . It tightens and snips with a pull of the lever 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Mega Arch said: Or use those zip ties on PVC mini trees: Those are cool but looks like a lot more time consuming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, TheDucks said: And get a Zip tie gun (I got mine at Amazon) . It tightens and snips with a pull of the lever Good idea. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Here's another great idea. PVC mini trees. I am going to build some of these. Last year I jinxed myself by saying "I never had a tomato cage tree cause a breaker trip in the rain". Two days later we had heavy monsoon rains and sure enough. The cause may have been caused by the wire cage but I also discovered some of my cords were semi full of water and mud. Dried everything out after the rain and no further problems. Unusual rain for the time of year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 1 hour ago, dibblejr said: Here's another great idea. PVC mini trees. I am going to build some of these. Last year I jinxed myself by saying "I never had a tomato cage tree cause a breaker trip in the rain". Two days later we had heavy monsoon rains and sure enough. The cause may have been caused by the wire cage but I also discovered some of my cords were semi full of water and mud. Dried everything out after the rain and no further problems. Unusual rain for the time of year. Maybe another year. Gonna try the tomato cages this year since I found a bunch on sale. Thanks though. I love this forum cause you see different ways people do things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santas Helper Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 15 hours ago, dibblejr said: Take 2 cages inside each other until veins don't line up. Solved at the tops just put a little outside bend and zip tie tight so zip tie won't come off during moving around JR This is how I did it. Offset two cages on top each other so you get a more rounded tree. And bust out those zipties. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 1 hour ago, Santas Helper said: This is how I did it. Offset two cages on top each other so you get a more rounded tree. And bust out those zipties. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 On 7/13/2017 at 2:22 PM, k6ccc said: Buy Zip Ties by the thousand and they are a lot cheaper! and lots of zip ties, can be had on the cheap at monoprice.com 1/10th the price of Lowe's including shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light_addiction Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 2 hours ago, caniac said: and lots of zip ties, can be had on the cheap at monoprice.com 1/10th the price of Lowe's including shipping. Thanks for the lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Saunders Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I'm sure two cages works fine but I read years ago about using three cages staggered and this is what I do. This gives a lot of attachment points for the zip ties/wires to attach to. Obviously makes them a bit heavier but if that's not a concern three will give you a "fuller" tree and have plenty to attach to without any sags in the wire/bulbs. Just my two cents. Later, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 10 hours ago, Al Saunders said: I'm sure two cages works fine but I read years ago about using three cages staggered and this is what I do. This gives a lot of attachment points for the zip ties/wires to attach to. Obviously makes them a bit heavier but if that's not a concern three will give you a "fuller" tree and have plenty to attach to without any sags in the wire/bulbs. Just my two cents. Later, Al More is always better!! And given that they are usually $1 a cage they are budget friendly. IMO the fun part was twisting the top and bending it (lack of proper tools at that time). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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