daddyalj Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 OK, I'm thinking about adding to my display, fire sticks or basically leaping arches that stand straight up and down. I have seen then in several other displays and was looking for some information on what is used to make them. I figure PVC pipe but how big and how long? I have made leaping arches and figure the same build technique will be used to wrap them. What about standing them up and keeping them straight so they don't blow around in the wind and such? I am looking for a little guidance and some ideas.Thanks in advance for your thoughts.Alan
Brian Mitchell Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 I am essentially adding firesticks also, however, I'm also putting large stars on the top of them. I used 1 1/4" electrical conduit for the poles. And after dealing with the dirty looks from my wife, I dug 3 18" deep holes in the front yard and filled with concrete and a sleeve for the posts.The only trouble I had was that the spacing on the Home Depot minis I used wanted to line up all the lights in a straight line rather than the random look. I had to use Walmart lights at the top and once there were a few cords under the wrapped lights, the spacing was ok for the HD lights.You could probably go with 1" conduit if you aren't mounting anything to the top. 3/4" looked too thin in the store to me.
Dan Ancona Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 I've seen these mounted to a lavatory flange which in turn is screwed into wood, such as a 2x6 or 2x8. That platform is then fixed to the gound using somthing along the lines of rebar. You will need guy wires. Brian could most likely get away without the guys.PS: I think my wife would bury my in one of those holes...
George Simmons Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Alan,I made some for my display last year (you can check out the videos via the website: www.clearwaterlights.org) I used 3/4" grey electrical pvc. Mine are just under 12 ft. long and have nine segments. To keep them straight, I inserted a ten foot long 1/2" rigid conduit pipe. I attached the "fire sticks" (I simply called them poles) to a chain link fence and they were rigid enough that I didn't need any other support.
Dan Ancona Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 George, I get a kick out of the face on the house! Cool.
Brian Mitchell Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 What swayed it for my wife is I said I could put a bird feeder on a pole in the winter after the Christmas show comes down.
daddyalj Posted June 22, 2009 Author Posted June 22, 2009 Very good thoughts from you all!I think I might get the evil eye about digging holes in the yard for that purpose too.Thanks for your thoughts and directions.....
daddyalj Posted June 22, 2009 Author Posted June 22, 2009 The face on the front of your house was a very clever idea for sure! Very nice display all around.
George Simmons Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Dan and Alan,Thanks for your kind words. Sometimes I can be kind of anal regarding details but when a project goes off without a hitch it's worth taking the grief I encounter along the way. After so many years of large static dislays I didn't want to disappoint people who've made it a habit to stop by to see my offerings each year. After watching countless videos, I was looking for something distinct and different, which is what led to the creation of the face. As with many other ideas, it quickly morphed into a monster, going from eight channels initially up to 24 (with more planned). I thought kids would get a kick out of the face. Turns out that it's the adults who seem to like it the most. Go figure...
daddyalj Posted June 22, 2009 Author Posted June 22, 2009 George,Don't forget, as adults, we sometimes are just the biggest or oldest "kids". It was fun to watch. Keep up the good and the fun work!Alan
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