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  • Author Author: dubbie
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Makevember : Wire Frame Christmas Trees

dubbie

For a contribution to the Makevember topic I decided to make some wire frame Christmas tree decorations. I wanted to make them to look good and to have some LEDs on them. I didn't quite (yet) manage this although I have made something, see below.

 

 

I aim to try and improve more on the wire frame trees and then I will have to work out some way of attaching LEDs and getting them to light up nicely.

 

Dubbie

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  • I may try something like this with the grandkids...

  • in reply to fmilburn

    It is surprising difficult to get something that looks good. One of things that made a difference was stretching the wire before bending it as the straights were then much straighter. It was fairly difficult though as it is 2 mm Aluminium wire, which is relatively soft but difficult to stretch! I used a small pair of pin nose pliers to make the corners/bends which, with a bit of practice can be made quite good.

     

    I really wanted to get two wire tress exactly the same and then connect LEDs between them. The Aluminium wire seems to have a low resistance so should (might?) work. But I just cannot get two trees exactly the same.

     

    Dubbie

  • in reply to dubbie

    I have not tried it but have seen several times where people used a drill to straighten copper wire:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meZRMNF-6tQ. A good idea to have eye protection and gloves while doing that in case it over stresses and snaps.  Copper is pretty ductile so not sure if aluminum would work as well.

     

    I like your idea of using a jig.  I wonder if instead of using nails if you had a hole in a block to thread it through and then bend it would hold the bend better.  You could 3D print the blocks or make them from wood.  Edit:  actually I think your wire is too stiff for this on second thought although there may be a way to do this by threading the blocks and then placing them over nails used as posts.  is pretty good about things like this.

  • in reply to fmilburn

    I do a lot on things with wire as a structural material. I usually put one end of the wire in a secured vise and the other end in a drill chuck. I pull the wire as tight as I can and give it about one turn per meter. It amazingly makes the wire as straight as can be.

     

    John

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