PVC Minitree Construction

[jbitzer]

Hello everyone.

I could use some ideas/suggestion on constructing some minitrees out of PVC (since I seem to have a surplus after buying too much for the arches!)

I have 8 minitrees that I made a few years back using the cemetery wreath stands which worked out well. Now I would like to add more using the leftover 1/2" PVC. Below is what I would like to do and some of the challenges I have come across so far.

Requirements
Want to trees to measure somewhere in the neighborhood of 24" - 36"
Would like the trees to resemble a small tripod (3 legs) would not object to 4 legs

Challenges:
Cannot find PVC connectors at the proper angles for a 3 leg model
Prefer to have a connection to join all three legs
The only method that appears to be option is to make the connections by small sections and using a series of 45, 60 and 90 degree angles which both increase the tree size and cost.

Looking for a simple and economical construction using 3 or 4 legs, with minimal materials, that will be stable. If anyone has done or seen anything that fits into the category of cheap, fast, and sturdy, please let me know.

Jeff

[KenL_MCSE]

The best mini trees are made out of cemetary wreath holders. (cheap at Michaels and AC Moore).

But If I was making them out of PVC, I would use Zip ties and screws. make a 2d teepee out of two of them. zipping them and screwing them at the top. Then add the 3rd foot the same way. You will probably have to put something on the bottom to keep them all the same distance (screw and Zip) pieces of PVC there too. Paint them Green with Platic green paint sold at wally world, home depot, etc...

[Jim Saul]

I'm thinking similar to Ken but with a use like a #5 (1/8") bolt with a wing nut. put the 3 tops in a row, drill through them and use use the bolt / wing nut to tighten them so they do not move once you have pulled the middle leg back to where you want it.

[james campbell]

here is video from you tube

[khawes]

james campbell wrote:

 

here is video from you tube

For a tree that size you could make the way you would a mega tree but in miniature? Use the PVC for a center pole and the hoop for the bottom. All you need is a topper, maybe a 1/2" to 3" PVC adapter would work, to fasten the lights to as you wrap them from the top to the hoop on the bottom.

Or I may just be daft this afternoon.

[jbitzer]

I actually like both of these ideas (the PVC construction mentioned in the video and a scaled down megatree with a bottom hoop). I didn't care much for the look of the hula hoops in the video but was thinking of making a hoop using rope light.

One other thought was to use 3 sections of PVC for the center and then a reverse 45 degree for each of the 3 legs. Only problem with this is we are using way more PVC than is needed.

I will start with the scaled down megatree and see how it looks. Thanks for the suggestions!

Jeff