Christmas Tree Stand

[one-110]

Finally got the time to start a proper thread. My big box Christmas tree stand didn’t appreciate it when I tried putting in a 14 footer. The spot weld on the centering spike broke off:

I thought it would be a simple fix to strip the paint and TIG it back in place. I eased the foot pedal and blow out. I abandoned the idea of investing any more time in this import junk and decided to start from scratch. I had some pipe sitting around that was left over from some adjustable columns I built for my basement. Cutting the center from 3” SCH40 pipe (3.5” OD). I know this is slender, but it was all I had on hand and works with the natural high alpine trees where I live.

Coping the supports at 30 degrees out of 1.625” SCH40 pipe:

I’m not sure how many photos I can post at once so I’m moving on to the next post.

 

[one-110]

Welded up: 0.45 ER70-S2, 150 amps with foot pedal. Holes are tapped for the eyebolts. I don’t have a good picture looking down, but I welded on a cross member across the bottom with a ¼” x 1” CRS spike to center the tree.

I thought it would be good practice to try welding out the included part of the joint. Obviously some room for improvement on heat input:

In service:

 

[fourjeepin]

Nice. That ought to last a few hundred years

 

[Redlunn]

Very nice. I made a similar stand a few years ago, works much better than anything you find in stores. I added a remote watering tank salvaged from a humidifier. Fill the tank maybe twice a year.