Introduction: DIY Replacement Leg for a Christmas Tree
So my loving wife pulls out the Christmas tree ( Merry Christmas To All) its that time of year again we go to assemble the thing and its missing a leg...not to be deterred.THERE WILL BE CHRISTMAS in this Home this year. I'm off to make a replacement, I scrounge up some repair material and off to the build.
Lucky for you all I know there is other Families missing the same leg! so I'm here to share the fix!
you'll need:
1) Caution always use caution- this instructable deals with cutting and drilling tools so keep your DIY Safety First on the list of things to bring.
2) A replacement piece of wood similar in size to the leg you are replacing.-I used a 3/4" piece of plywood
3) 5 (five) screws -I used Lath Screws x4 Sheetrock screw x1
4) Glue - not necessary but the nature of plywood encouraged me to use it
5) pencil
6) Saw
7) Drill & Bits
8) Screwdriver or Driver if your using your drill
9) Pliers
10) Clamp
11) Creative mindset.
Lucky for you all I know there is other Families missing the same leg! so I'm here to share the fix!
you'll need:
1) Caution always use caution- this instructable deals with cutting and drilling tools so keep your DIY Safety First on the list of things to bring.
2) A replacement piece of wood similar in size to the leg you are replacing.-I used a 3/4" piece of plywood
3) 5 (five) screws -I used Lath Screws x4 Sheetrock screw x1
4) Glue - not necessary but the nature of plywood encouraged me to use it
5) pencil
6) Saw
7) Drill & Bits
8) Screwdriver or Driver if your using your drill
9) Pliers
10) Clamp
11) Creative mindset.
Step 1: Creating the Shape of the Leg
Trace the shape of the leg.
Be mindful of how you will be cutting your peice as this will afect the usable scrap you have.
Measure 2 Cut 1
Be mindful of how you will be cutting your peice as this will afect the usable scrap you have.
Measure 2 Cut 1
Step 2: Cut the Form of the Leg
Using Caution...Go Chuck Norris with your handsaw
Step 3: Trim "foot" of Leg
using the Cut you made for the top angle of the Leg extend it a bit.
Measure the height (or compare proportions) of the foot and Cut
Measure the height (or compare proportions) of the foot and Cut
Step 4: Attaching the Foot to the Leg
Tap a hole through the foot and into the leg-tapping a hole will keep the wood from spliting
this is where you'll be gluing the foot on.
clamp till dry.
Trim the Screw you will use to secure the foot to the leg be mindful that the screw does not poke out of the other side.
this is where you'll be gluing the foot on.
clamp till dry.
Trim the Screw you will use to secure the foot to the leg be mindful that the screw does not poke out of the other side.
Step 5: Holding the Leg in Place
Measure your internal Brace Depth and make sure the Screws you have will hold the Tree and Leg in place by being wide enugh (img3)
Trim the length so they don't poke out of the other side
sand the thing your almost done
Trim the length so they don't poke out of the other side
sand the thing your almost done
Step 6: Internal Brace Prep
Space the 4 screw holes to tap
the Lath screws create a "I-beam" shape that holds the leg to the tree base
Clamp your work and tap the holes for the screws
the Lath screws create a "I-beam" shape that holds the leg to the tree base
Clamp your work and tap the holes for the screws
Step 7: Work Comparison
Compare your Work to the sample leg.
Screw in the Lath screws till they match the gap of the sample leg.
Screw in the Lath screws till they match the gap of the sample leg.
Step 8: Assemble the Base of the Tree
Attach your work to the base of the tree and adjust the screws if needed to ensure a snug fit.
Step 9: MAKE CHRISTMAS
add your decorative cover and MAKE CHRISTMAS!!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!