Z-Tree... Need help - Lights, Lights, Lights! Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
Wanting to do a Z-Tree, but not waiting to use pvc, was thinking of using 1/2 EMT Conduit but need T fittings found L fitting ($4.50 each) anyone have idea of something i can use as a T fittings or where I can buy some. I tried to use PVC T fittings but could not get anything to work...
keith75 wrote: Wanting to do a Z-Tree, but not waiting to use pvc, was thinking of using 1/2 EMT Conduit but need T fittings found L fitting ($4.50 each) anyone have idea of something i can use as a T fittings or where I can buy some. I tried to use PVC T fittings but could not get anything to work...
anyone have any ideas
thanks keith
EMT does not have "T" fittings whare as wirring code requires a "J" box. AI
You can use 1/2" EMT connectors and then put them into a 1/2" threaded PVC T or use a pipe T.
____________________ Kenneth Renfro (Rooster)
Calilfornia Retail Maintenance Specialists
Thanks to me finding this place I think my wife is going nuts. Oh she says it is me who is going nuts with lights!!!!!!!!!
Also, on most Z-trees I've heard having a problem (including my Z-tree) it was the PVC T-fittings and PVC straight couplings that failed. The PVC held up until the connectors failed, which then causes the entire thing to drop down into a pile of plumbing scrap.
I'm going to build another one, but this time I'll try to make it from wood. I figure that pressure treated 2x4s will be more than strong enough. Plus, being bolted together, I can easily take it apart for off-season storage.
mmaness wrote: Also, on most Z-trees I've heard having a problem (including my Z-tree) it was the PVC T-fittings and PVC straight couplings that failed. The PVC held up until the connectors failed, which then causes the entire thing to drop down into a pile of plumbing scrap.
I'm going to build another one, but this time I'll try to make it from wood. I figure that pressure treated 2x4s will be more than strong enough. Plus, being bolted together, I can easily take it apart for off-season storage.
I seriously considered the wood route too. I decided to go the Creform route pretty much due to weight of the thing. I would agree that a wood z-tree would be plenty strong... Have you given any thought to attaching the garland and lights? It's so easy to just zip tie around the pipe with pvc or Creform...
My thought if I built it from wood was to attach chicken wire to the outside to give me a way to attach the lights and garland.
bhays wrote: My thought if I built it from wood was to attach chicken wire to the outside to give me a way to attach the lights and garland.
Exactly what I'm planning. The basic design will be with four 2x4s going to the top point. Around the sides, I'll cut round plywood to give the tree a round shape, and place them in sort of rings about every 2 feet. Then I'll cover it with chicken wire, so garland and lights attach easily.
As an added bonus, if I use a kingpost at the top (say a 2x2) that the four 2x4s attach to, I can extend the kingpost up so I have an attachment point for a tree topper.
Each of the four 2x4s will be tied to the ground via a very deep dog tie-out. That, plus the weight of the thing, should be enough to hold the tree upright in all but the strongest of storms. Any storm that is able to topple this tree will cause me far more problems than my display being messed up.
