Christmas Tree Stands

[RCman]

Alright... this is posing to be a lot harder than I had thought it would be.
I'm on the lookout for a metal Christmas tree stand.
We had one till two years ago when it finally had just seen its last leg with rust (t'was over 30years old). We tried the plastic ones and they just either fail or can't support the weight and crack. It doesn't make sense to me to buy another plastic one to throw it out at the end of the year. I haven't been able to find anything decent for a reasonable price.

Looking for something that will hold a 7' to 8' tall tree with a 6"-7" base/stump.

What do you guys/gals use?

 

[fscrig75]

Did you check ebay for the old skool ones?

I've got a plastic one that is pretty sturdy, got it from the tree place, but I don't get trees as big as you described.

 

[RCman]

Did you check ebay for the old skool ones?

I've got a plastic one that is pretty sturdy, got it from the tree place, but I don't get trees as big as you described.

Yup, I did.
Unfortunately they are either very dainty metals ones for a max of 4" base or cheap plastic junk.

 

[swbooking]

I use the ones they sell at the Christmas Tree place. Theyve always worked just fine... :dunno:

 

[RCman]

I use the ones they sell at the Christmas Tree place. Theyve always worked just fine... :dunno:

The plastic ones? Those are the ones that have failed on me.
The ratcheting adjustment thing just doesn't withstand that big of a tree.

Looks like I may just end up with this one and get a smaller tree:
http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/metal-christmas-tree-stand-512-ring-opening-p-73110.html?ref=42

I wouldn't mind spending two or three times that to get a good one.

 

[swbooking]

Ratcheting adjustment? The ones we get are just a metal spike that goes into the bottom of the stump. Theyve always held water just fine.

 

[Ralph]

Do you know anyone that can fabricate one for you? It shouldn't be that big a project.

 

[swbooking]

Hmmm... BS Fab Christmas tree stands. It could be a possibility

 

[Begster]

RCman, I find it very hard to believe you can't make one yourself...

 

[RCman]

Do you know anyone that can fabricate one for you? It shouldn't be that big a project.

Hmmm... BS Fab Christmas tree stands. It could be a possibility

RCman, I find it very hard to believe you can't make one yourself...

I actually entertained the idea. I've got some 1"x1"x1/8" and 2"x2"x1/8" angle iron that would be perfect for one. I'd just need to find a dish/bowl or something to roll one out with. Thing is that it is just one of those items that I'd rather just purchase then to spend the time making one.
I'll probably just settle for that Ace Hardware one and a smaller tree this year and maybe I'll fab one up over the course of the year. Right now the Jeep takes priority.

 

[swbooking]

No dont go with a smaller tree! 7-8 foot is a must

 

[JNickel101]

http://www.amazon.com/Tidings-62851...7?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1228190328&sr=8-7

maybe?

 

[fscrig75]

Ratcheting adjustment? The ones we get are just a metal spike that goes into the bottom of the stump. Theyve always held water just fine.

Yea thats the style I've got, I just take it to the place with and they hook it up, and set it up to make sure its the way we want it.

 

[Ralph]

I actually entertained the idea. I've got some 1"x1"x1/8" and 2"x2"x1/8" angle iron that would be perfect for one. I'd just need to find a dish/bowl or something to roll one out with. Thing is that it is just one of those items that I'd rather just purchase then to spend the time making one.
I'll probably just settle for that Ace Hardware one and a smaller tree this year and maybe I'll fab one up over the course of the year. Right now the Jeep takes priority.

How about using a short section of 6" or 8" iron pipe. Cap off one end, drill and tap some holes to put your clamping screws through and weld some legs to it. Something like this but not as pretty. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/for/939628290.html

 

[5spd_xj]

Right now the Jeep takes priority.

thats what counts :thumbup: I've noticed that also, though, about a decent metal one being next to impossible to get now for some reason... We luckily still have one in good shape, but as you described, it's probably well over my age!!

 

[Ralph]

Amazon.com has them HERE for $43.99.

 

[RCman]

No dont go with a smaller tree! 7-8 foot is a must

I know! I'll just have to find one with a 5-1/2" or smaller base.

http://www.amazon.com/Tidings-62851...7?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1228190328&sr=8-7

maybe?

That is pretty close to the Ace Hardware one. I'll have to scout out the one @ Ace and see how it is. For the $19ish that the Ace one is it'll probably do for this year.

How about using a short section of 6" or 8" iron pipe. Cap off one end, drill and tap some holes to put your clamping screws through and weld some legs to it. Something like this but not as pretty. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/for/939628290.html

Thats an idea. I'll have to look around for something like that if/when I decide to build one later done the road.

Right now the Jeep takes priority.

thats what counts :thumbup: I've noticed that also, though, about a decent metal one being next to impossible to get now for some reason... We luckily still have one in good shape, but as you described, it's probably well over my age!!

I wish our hadn't bitten the dust two years ago.
I figured someone on here must have a source for the good old heavy duty 30lb metal ones.

Amazon.com has them HERE for $43.99.

Maybe I'm missing them, but all those seem like plastic?

 

[beakie]

x2 on the 8" or larger pipe. drill and tap (or weld nuts to it) for bolts to tighten to the trunk, cap the bottom, 4 triangles welded to the outside for support. shouldn't be much work other than sourcing that large of a pipe.

other than that, at my old mans they have been using a good plastic one for about 10 years now... our original metal one went down with a bad case of rust too.

 

[Ralph]

Maybe I'm missing them, but all those seem like plastic?

Nope, cast iron. I used to have one. (my ex has it) They work okay. I think they are a little small. I'd build one that is taller so that it would grip the truck a little higher up and make the base much wider.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

"A fat woman came into the shoe store today. Wanted a pair of shoes for a christmas party. I told her to stand on her hands, put a star in her butt and go as the world's largest, ugliest tree!"
http://www.csmngt.com/al_bundy.htm