If you're looking for that one can't-live-without rustic western piece for your home, then the Cedar Tree Coat Rack is a must have for you. After all things accounted for without including the dry time, I only spent four hours in the making of this furniture piece! This Cedar Coat Rack can work as a functioning coat rack, or could just be a stand alone western decor for your home. This is a great way to bring the outdoors in. The cedar tree is known to be both drought and bug resistant, meaning you will bring zero bugs into your home, including no termites as well. This hardy Cedar Tree Coat Rack would look great in just about any home setting and can serve as a great conversation starter!

Tools Required:
Chain Saw
Welder
Finishing Sander
60 Grit Sanding Paper
Drill
7/16" Drill Bit ( at least 6" long )
90 Degree Grinder with Sanding Disc
1/2" Wrench or Socket w/ Ratchet
Pressure Washer
Two Saw Horses
Paint Brush
Flat Head Screwdriver
Welding Helmet
Safety Glasses
Gloves

Materials Required:
(1) Cedar Tree
(1) 1/2" x 6" Lag Screw
(1) 1/2" Washer
(1) 3/4" Washer
(1) 20" Plow Disc - ( Can be bought at Tractor Supply Co. )
(1) Can of Black Gloss Spray Paint
(1) Quart of Polyurethane Clear Gloss Varnish

DISCLAIMER:
I cannot be held liable or responsible for any accidents involved in making the described Cedar Tree Coat Rack. All persons assume the risk of injury or death when working with power tools, especially when using the chain saw to cut down a cedar tree. When using any type of tool, it is recommended to wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from potential harm. Always wear a welding helmet or hood while welding. Also, never directly or indirectly inhale the vapor fumes from either the spray paint or varnish for extended periods of time.

Step 1: Locate, Acquire, and Peel

Step 1) Before you do anything, you need to find a cedar tree to work on. Either you can go in your back yard and chop a tree down, or you can go to your local cedar tree yard and ask for an unworked cedar tree with branches. If you can't do either of these, you can try to contact a ranch manager/owner for permission to go on their land, and to cut down one cedar tree. ( It is best to avoid this because of legality, but if you choose to do so, obtain the permission in writing with signatures from land owner and yourself ) Once you have located your cedar tree, you now need to cut it down with a chain saw. Be sure to wear proper safety equipment when doing so.

Step 2) Once you have the tree on the ground, cut all the branches off of the trunk on the ground; leave about 6" of branch intact. Then you will need to cut the tree to length. I would suggest any where between 6 and 7 foot tall would be the optimum hight. Once you have made all your cuts, you now need to find a way to get the cedar home!

Step 3) The next step requires the use of the pressure washer. Basically you will need to "crack the casing". I like to use a 0 degree nozzle when pressure washing the cedars. I have found that it is easiest to start on one end of the tree and slowly work up. The pressure washer will do all the work for you. I usually can strip a tree in about 20 min, depending on the size, but you will see the golden trunk of the tree when you are finished; see picture step 4 above ( click to enlarge ). Once you are finished pressure washing, let the tree dry out before doing further work. I usually wait a full 12 hours to let dry.

Step 2: Attach Base and Sanding

5 & 6) This step will require a welder. Now you need to grab your 20" plow disc. Depending on the size of the diameter of the center hole on the plow disc determines what size washer you will need to weld on the plow disc to cover the hole. If the hole is large enough, that the 3/4" washer is needed, then you need to weld the 3/4" washer to the plow disc; Then take the 1/2" washer and center it on the 3/4" washer, so the lag screw will not slip through the 3/4" washer. The center hole of my plow disc covered nicely with the 1/2" washer. Total time was about 5 min. Once you have the washer(s) welded on to the plow disc, you now need to spray paint the plow disc with your can of black gloss paint. Be sure to coat the bottom of the disc with at least one coat to prevent rusting; then coat the top to your liking. Let dry thoroughly before further work.

7) This step will require the 90 degree grinder with the sanding disc. Now you need to place your cedar tree on two saw horses. Once your plow disc is thoroughly dry, place it up on the bottom of the cedar trunk, ( where it normally would be touching ground ). You now want to try and dish out the tree trunk on the bottom so it matches the round surface of the plow disc. This can take some time, especially if this is your first time. After trial and error, the trunk and disc should match pretty similar to each other. You will never get it perfect however. Once you have it fairly dished out, set your disc up to the truck again and center it; take a pencil and trace around the center hold of the disc on to the trunk. Now take your drill with a 7/16" drill bit and drill a hole where you have traced a mark on the trunk, be sure to drill at least 6" and hold parallel to the trunk while doing so.

8) Now place your plow disc up on to your trunk, and take your 1/2" x 6" Lag Screw and slowly tighten it onto the cedar. Take your 1/2" wrench and tighten all the way up flush to the plow disc.

9) Use your 90 degree angle grinder with the sanding disc and sand any rough spots on your cedar tree. Be sure to sand around all the branches and round the edges so no coats or hats will hang and rip. Once you have the largest rough spots smooth with the grinder, you can take the finishing sander and smooth the cedar even further; see picture step 4 above ( click to enlarge ).

Step 3: Varnish and Enjoy!

10) Last and final step is to apply Polyurethane Clear Gloss Varnish to your cedar tree. Be sure to varnish in a well ventilated area. The varnish helps bring out the beautiful red and golden color in your cedar tree, as well as acting as a sealer. Let dry thoroughly then apply second coat. Dry thoroughly, and you are done!

You are now a proud owner of a Cedar Tree Coat Rack. I have enjoyed making this instructable as well as the coat rack, and I hope you will too!