Share
I have wanted to do a different type of christmas tree for the past few years, this year I tried to make something along these lines for work but it failed (resources were not handy, thin metal ring being the main issue) However the stuff I had lying around at home was perfect for the idea!
I only had to buy the can small ring from bunnings (around the $4.00 mark) as everything else I had. The tree is pretty much all recycled 
This version kind of looks like a Dalek from certain angles but in the daylight looks like a tree Well an M&M tree.....
Materials
50mm paper clips, maybe 150 of or more.
Fencing wire (cutoff from a reel I had for gabion walls)
300mm cable ties, but you could definently use shorter ones.
Ex CD/DVD's (slated for data destruction, out of date software in case you go 
lol)
1 of timber dowel 1m
Timber square for the base
Tools
Pair of side cutters.
Screwdriver for dowel.
Steps
Step 1
I really, really wanted to have a go at making a Christmas tree, a recyled Christmas tree in fact. This idea has been floating around in my head for awhile and I had even tested it this season at work (it failed) this is B version
I had a length of fencing wire I use for making gabion spirals and ties for gabion baskets left over. Perfect size, but how to join it to make a solid ring. Then the brain kicked in and said "Overlap the ends and use three cable ties to lock it in".
Close up to show that all the cable ties are synched up and facing the same way.
So the proper way to pull a cable tie and synch it up, pull tight, then clamp the side cutters blade as close as you can to the head of the cable tie and a tiny side twist to get the last notch and cut it square against the head of the cable tie so it will be less likely to scratch the skin.
Like so.
Figuring out how to do the top of the tree. These are 50mm paperclips (Office works have them in boxes of 300) That you fold out from the center and bend them straight.
Step 2
Top of the tree... The branches will hang from these plus the rings for giving the tree body.
Locked in, was going to use two but decided one will do. Worked out easier to modify the head. The paperclips wanted to bunch together, if I had two cable ties around the dowel it would have been too hard to adjust. with one it was easier to move and also take out/replace as needed.
Seeing if the idea works out ..
Only new part that I bought from the craft section at Bunnings for $4 ish.
So I can remember what the product was. Never hurts to take too many photos!
Step 3
Happy with the shape. You can see that the paper clips small end slips perfectly over the cane ring and holds it from the top, with the bottom half the process is reversed so the small part loops over the cane and the big section is what the DVD's sit in.
Locking the large base in. I used two cable ties either side of where the paper clips came down to to stop any "drift" of the round ring. After the first 4 lengths it really stayed in shape.
Really happy that it balances out. The idea from this point on is a goer! Up until the balancing part I wasnt sold on it working. It really just wants to hang this way (the weight just makes it work better)
Adding to it
Filling it out, Then I just staggered the colour sequence so it shifted about, eventually running out of yellows so used the blue DVD's to make it look a little random.
Step 4
All done, including a bottom skirt of discs I just hung singly on one paperclip around the bottom ring. Note the two silver sided discs at the top of the tree. Mmmm next time I will attempt to cut the discs, beware they do SHATTER if you try cutting.
Internal lighting (Bunnings camping beacon)
Internal lighting plus small sharp light from a torch. I need to come up with some "pointed" lighting as I think it would dazzle!
Worked on photo to show the disc colours.
How it looks at night just sitting there
Things I will do next time -
- Heat some discs with a heat gun and see if they slump into shapes
- Cut the disks, maybe with a tile cutter as they shatter when I destroy them at work with snipping them with side cutters
- Merge the top section and bottom to lesson the dalek effect
It took me around 2hrs, maybe 2 and a half to put this together. Definently something different!
Happy Christmas to all
Afternoon @Jason
Thank you, It was a lot of fun to do, I was even distracted from the tv show I was watching lol
Dave
I also thing that is very creative 🙂
We had to give up the Christmas tree thing
Have a great day.
Cheers
Evening @AlanM52
Thank you, it was nice putting it together from what I had pictured in my mind.
hahahahha and bugger at the same time
They look so guilty The seconds of fun and then the naughty box lol
Did you manage to stand the tree up at least?
Dave
