Revolving Christmas Tree stands

[tman]

My mom, bless her heart, loves her Star-bell revolving christmas tree stand she bought in the 60's. Only problem is, the wiring from the stand to the wall gets warm, and I'm worried about a possible electrical fire. The rotation isn't smooth, and is choppy, the motor is too old

Her tree is atrificial and has a 2 inch diamater trunk. After tirelessly googling it, NO manufacturer makes a revolving stand for a trunk that large. This gives me two options:

1)Rewire existing stand with heavier guage wire, but the motor is old, and could start a fire easily as well.

2)Build my own stand. This sounds cool, but it would mean a lot of work.

Number two sounds better, as the tree is currently being held up with the old stand. Anyone know anyone who has ever done this? Any suggestions welcome.

[KustmAce]

Originally Posted by tman2093

NO manufacturer makes a revolving stand for a trunk that large

Get a smaller tree

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by tman2093

2)Build my own stand. This sounds cool, but it would mean a lot of work.

That could be a nice cheap gift in itself though. If I did something like that for my mother she'd be happy I worked hard instead of buying some boxed up trinket..

[tman]

KustmAce- The tree was bought about 4 years ago, hardly time for a new one. There are cheap plastic ones for a one and 1/4 inch trunks. perhaps I can bore out the hole 3/4 of an inch.

[Pewter'01SS]

Here's one that will work with a 2" dia. base but it's $300.

http://www.vintageholidays.com/

I don't know how that price would compare with building your own. Also, did you find anything on ebay?

[fredjacksonsan]

You could probably take the motor apart, and give it a good clean and lube. That would let it run cooler. Since it's 30+ years old it's likely full of lint/gunk.

[tman]

Pewter, all of the stands that will accomodate the tree on ebay are just as old as the one we have.

The link you posted is just too expensive. I can probably build one for about 70 dollars

[ec437]

Use heavier gauge wire and get the motor rewound or, even better, get it replaced if possible. Know any electrical engineers? Ask them where you could have that done, they'd probably know. Look in the phone book for electronics repair, you might find something.

[Toksin]

Train a monkey to turn a crank. He should last about 6 weeks, and by the time he carks it christmas is over.

[taranaki]

Remove the motor,fabricate a new pully and use a chainsaw motor to drive a v belt.

1/ Drowns out tedious Xmas carols.

2/ Variable speed for throwing chocolate novelties.

3/decorate tree with surplus cutlery and rev to full RPM for maximum collateral damage.

[Colov99]

Originally Posted by taranaki

Remove the motor,fabricate a new pully and use a chainsaw motor to drive a v belt.

1/ Drowns out tedious Xmas carols.

2/ Variable speed for throwing chocolate novelties.

3/decorate tree with surplus cutlery and rev to full RPM for maximum collateral damage.

Great idea, just make sure the inlaws are in the room when you turn it on with the cutlery.

[MadMac56]

Howzabout putting a pipe reducer on the bottom of the tree trunk...reduce the diameter to fit a newer stand...