Chad Fabry Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 My Dad built one for himself, then 1 for each of the family members. They're all made out of junk and each is different. You don't want your infant kids playing unattended, but they work well and the effect is cool. Why don't the cords wind up? The standard answer is 'we use long cords and change the direction once an hour.' Most folks are satisfied with that response. Image Insert: 67.87 KB Image Insert: 59.25 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Manor Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 I really like it!!! And, since the water pump is there already, it could have an automatic watering system without too much more work. [] -Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Originally posted by Chad Fabry My Dad built one for himself, then 1 for each of the family members. They're all made out of junk and each is different. You don't want your infant kids playing unattended, but they work well and the effect is cool. Why don't the cords wind up? The standard answer is 'we use long cords and change the direction once an hour.' Most folks are satisfied with that response. The receptacle turns with the tree. I used to build giant turntables (15' - 30' in diameter). We'd use two metal rings under the turntable and strips of metal from a coffee can to work as brushes to carry the juice to them. Did your dad do something similar? - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted December 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 The receptacle turns with the tree. I used to build giant turntables (15' - 30' in diameter). We'd use two metal rings under the turntable and strips of metal from a coffee can to work as brushes to carry the juice to them. Did your dad do something similar? He cut 3" copper tubing into 1/2" slices, like rings and pressed them over schedule 40 PVC. Delco alternator brushes carrying the current to the receptacle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 Originally posted by Chad Fabry . . . He cut 3" copper tubing into 1/2" slices, like rings and pressed them over schedule 40 PVC. Delco alternator brushes carrying the current to the receptacle. That's a tidy solution. But surely he must have used two different sizes of tubing to make concentric rings? - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 I give, what in the heck is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 It's a turntable for Christmas trees. Round and round she goes. You get to see every side of the tree. Been without one for a lot of years. Don't see the need. But hey, it is kind of nifty idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted December 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 That's a tidy solution. But surely he must have used two different sizes of tubing to make concentric rings? Image Insert: 40.65 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 If I was gonna have a spinner, I'd just go whole hog & get me an aluminum one that was all tinsely, w/a multi-color light show that made it change colors. WJ has a nice column this month about such a tree. Brought back memories of driving up to my Gramma & Grampa's place & seeing the shiny 'luminum tree in the LR window, changing colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 Ah, ok. Make sure none of the carpet crawlers can stick their digits in the belts and pulleys. I know, I can't help it, annoys my wife too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Terry, I'm gonna have to spend some time with you and yours! I'd put a little "spice" in your life! I like it, except for the resulting dizzy cat that would result in our house. If your wife wants a little protection - Find yourself an old oil burner gun and use the transformer and some nice 1/4" hardware cloth to make an energy field around the mechanism. It will look pretty in the dark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Originally posted by Les Terry, I'm gonna have to spend some time with you and yours! I'd put a little "spice" in your life! I hear ya Les. I'm forever pointing out safety issues, drives my wife nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Originally posted by kurt If I was gonna have a spinner, I'd just go whole hog & get me an aluminum one that was all tinsely, w/a multi-color light show that made it change colors. WJ has a nice column this month about such a tree. Brought back memories of driving up to my Gramma & Grampa's place & seeing the shiny 'luminum tree in the LR window, changing colors. Kurt, Here 'tis : Image Insert: 35.48 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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