Gravity 1 : Gi-Normous Tree 0

As the title of this post suggests, gravity was the victor today. This morning with the help of CC, my neighbor Brad, and my electrician buddy Paul, we attempted to erect the Gi-Normous Tree with the Gi-Normous Star attached to the top. We were able to attache the star very securely, but the GT just could not handle the weight from the top. The pipe bent/buckled at the bottom and I decided that the Star was just too big to put at the top. So down came the GT. I had to replace the bent pipe so I used 3/4" galvanized pipe. I didn't bring the tree up again, because I need to buy or build a smaller version of the star. I saw one at walmart the I may go and buy. It is about 18" tall, but should be okay.

Alas, my dreams of seeing my 6 foot star perched above 20 feet of christmas tree from the interstate or camino real have been dashed. But never fear, the Gi-Normous Tree will live again (albeit in a small version).

Stay tuned for pics of our folley today - CC's wife Barb was on hand to photograph our attempt at immortality. ....

Christmas 2004 Display

In order to get my Christmas Spirit really flowing, I thought I would take a look at my Christmas 2004 display. Christmas 2004 was our first year in our new house and I wasn't sure how or what I was going to do for my display. I also didn't know how many lights I could cram into my yard and house without tripping the circuit. Well, as you can see at the right, I was able to put up quite a few lights.

Star Connection

Well, after much debate and deliberation I finally figured out how to attach the star to the tree without too much fear of failure. I am going to use 2 pipe flanges and bolt them together. (See drawing)

I test fitted this last night with an extra flange and 6-foot 3/4" threaded pole to see if it would buckle or bend. I attached the star to the pole flange and it held perfectly! I was thrashing the pole and trying to get it to break, but it was solid.

The next step is to bring down the GT pole and attach the star mechanism. This will prove to be a challenge, since it took me and my neighbor Brad to stand the pole up after I put all the lights on it! I may need to enlist the help of CC and his Halloween Minions to complete this task!

So CC, what do you think? Saturday morning at my house? I'll buy the popi-seed muffins and orange juice! :0)

GT and Star Update

Okay,

So I haven't been blogging lately....Bad Daniel! Bad Daniel! "Sit Ubu, sit! Good dog!" (Let's see if anybody can guess where that archaic TV reference came from)

Anyway, I have been super busy getting the 6-foot star ready to be mounted to the top of the Gi-Normous Tree. I spent yesterday running wrapping my lights around the PVC frame that I constructed.

The star is made out two 10-foot sections of 1-inch PVC. I shaped the PVC using a torch to melt the star into shape. Then I constructed a PVC cross-brace and for support and duct-tapped the corners just in case. I spray painted the whole think silver and it looks pretty good. I then wrapped the star with two 18-foot sections of multi-color rope light.

As for attaching it to the top of my GT, I consulted my boss (Doctorate in Engineering and Masters in Physics) and several scientists (and yes they are actual scientists) to see if the GT could support the 6-foot star at the top. After a little bit of discussion, they alleviated my fears that this thing would come crashing down and said that I shouldn't have any issues. We'll see.

So, how am I going to attach the star?