Introduction: Pallet Xmas Tree
So this is my first attempt at an ible after lots of reading and doing of some little projects so please be kind! As with most people I''ve taken some great ideas off here and tweaked them for my own circumstance and after seeing a few pallet xmas trees on here I'd thought I'd give it a go and see where I ended up..
Tools used
Chop saw
Cordless drill and driver
Sanding belt
a few screws a bit of old copper pipe and some pallet off cuts
Step 1: Get a Log
Every good tree needs a log at the base so I took a log from an earlier tree pruning and squared off the ends best I could
Step 2: Make a Base for the Log..
So from some Pallet cross pieces and roughly cut them into 18" lengths, made a rough mitre joint and screwed them together when square to secure..
Whilst upside down I centrally located the log and marked for holes so I could screw through the base into the log. I counter sunk these holes then screwed through with 5" screws into the log to secure it
Step 3: Base Sorted
Once the base was secure I turned it over and drilled a centre hole to accept the piece of 16mm copper piping I was using to put the branches on
Step 4: Sorting the Branches
After a few false starts trying to be clever I found using the flat edge to the rear of my workbench was best, so I slowly scoured the workshop for scrap pieces and assembled them in an ever decreasing (or increasing) fashion.. I squared each piece on the chop saw and sanded lightly..
Step 5: Making the Holes in the Branches
So I had to find the middle of both length and width so I could drill a hole for these to stack on top of each other on the brass pipe. Easiest way was to do a line from corner to corner and hey presto you have middle or near as damn it.. wasn't being too pedantic over accuracy
Step 6: Assembly of Tree
So with pipe fixed securely in the base ( hit into countersunk hole) I started placing my pieces of wood no all sanded with holes in the middle.. first of all as you can see I was placing them kind of randomly ..then as you will see in the last pic....
Step 7: Final Tree
.. I realised if you just slightly offset them and continues all the way up you got a double helix type effect... and as you can see from the title picture it looks nice with a few tea lights on...
Oh well that's my first 'ible over hope it was ok for you all and thanks for reading..
Step 8:

Participated in the
Wood Contest
1 Person Made This Project!
- Rhenson23 made it!
15 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
I really liked your 'ible, and can't wait to make one to add to my collection of trees.
Reply 6 years ago
Cheers!
7 years ago
thanks your instructable inspired this for my home this year and a little one for my dad
Reply 6 years ago
Hey Mangus they're both great ! and a vast improvement on mine ...nice one !
6 years ago
What size board would u start with and how much would u take off each level ?
Reply 6 years ago
Think the longest board was about 25" and then reduced each one by about an inch or inch and a half... wasn't a precise art by any means just what looked roughly good and dependent on thickness of wood..most was old pallets but some thicker bits just to age 'variety'
6 years ago
I think you have done a great job, very creative and the tea lights make it look even more effective.
Cheers
8 years ago
Great looking tree. Be careful with the candle fires.
8 years ago on Introduction
GREAT. COOL. THANKS.
8 years ago on Introduction
very nice!!!! simple, rustic, yet somehow elegant. i am also impressed that you used the word "pedantic" in a sentence. many cannot : )
8 years ago on Introduction
This looks great!
8 years ago
This is so cool! Well done on a brilliant project and your first Instructable.
8 years ago
This is epic!
8 years ago on Introduction
Simplicity! Love it. Great 'ible for those who like candles on a tree tealights are much safer.
8 years ago on Introduction
Love this take on a Christmas tree!