So I was recently asked to come up with something for a local charity. They would like a Christmas tree topper to be on their tree used to raise money for the local boys and girls club. So my idea is to do either a 4 or 9 bar basket twist out of 1/4 inch square bar with the center bar if I do the 9 bar, ends just being a 1 inch spacer to keep everything lined up correctly. Forge weld the ends together, with one end being just a simple point. The other end however is where I'm hoping what I'm thinking will work out right. If I can leave say a 4 or 5 inch section of bar at the bottom to forge weld together, draw out flat and roll it over into a socket similar to the ones used for spear points and arrow heads. And use that to go over the top of the tree. That would give it a roughly 4 inch deep socket when I'm finished. After that is done I can twist and un-twist like your normal basket twist...

 

So my question is does anybody see something I don't with this? I'm hoping its not going to be to heavy by the time I'm done with it.  I want to give it a go here in a few days and see what happens.

Weight will definitely be a factor unless it is a large tree. Can you do a drawing for us to look at?

There are others here that will be able to give you better advice if there is a drawing attached.

Mark

Weight is deff the problem no matter the size of the tree.

Instead of a socket, could you just do a thin spike on the bottom and tie it at two points to the vertical branch? I've put those on old toppers with sentimental value and a broken or missing socket (although usually not in steel). Strong, and it might save weight.

I like the idea of using a spike, I could just weld and draw out a nice long taper say 8 or 10 inches and just zip tie it to the trunk of the tree where you could not see it from below, that would allow you to get a lot more contact area with the tree and maybe help with the top heavy part of it. If I remember right from helping with their tree last year it was a 8-10ish foot tall tree. And I will try to make a sketch later today when I wake up. I work nights and just got home...  

Use 1/8"; have you seen the ones where the basket is made with pre-twisted lengths?  Put tinsel inside it when you are done.

Another option would be to neck down some thin wall pipe to use as your socket and weld the basket to the socket. Yes I know I just gave all the purists a heart attack by suggesting this. but you can blend the welded joint after welding by forging it out. The pipe would give you as long a socket as you want easily.

Another option is to leave one bar long, say 8-10" and bend a ring near the top and at the end. Make the bottom one larger so it'll slip over the top of the tree. A long tapered helix would do the same.

 

Zip ties would be plenty secure but might be a hassle installing, especially if it's a tall tree and a shaky ladder or person on it.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

DSW; WHY?  forge welding the pipe to the basket is a very purist thing!

There was a discussion about ornaments and the Captive Marble ornament was brought up:

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I have not seen the twisted lengths made into a basket twist yet, though that sounds like it would look really good. The more I think about it I like the idea of just making a long tapered spike that I can attach to the trunk somehow. Sounds a lot simpler that trying to forge a cone deep enough. or trying to get a pipe welded on and get it all to look right. I'm not much of an artist unless you like stick figures but I will probably have a chance to make it in the next day or so and I will put pictures up as soon as its complete. Thank you all for the help an advise thus far.

So here it is... the forge welding went good, I did the 9 bar twist. The only real hiccup was when I was untwisting it, trying to get everything even was a total pain. Not totally happy with it bit I think it should do the trick.

Looks nice. Personally I'd like a longer finial on top, but that's just me. I'd be tempted to weld on a longer piece and draw it out. I might even try and make a ball swage and have a ball just above the basket and then draw down the finial to a long taper.

 

I may have to play with this next month if work is slow. I like the idea of Christmas decorations made of iron and steel.

Ya I see a lot of things that I would do different next time, It came out ok but not happy with the twist but it was def a good learning project. At least got some good practice at forge welding.

how bout brass brushing it to give it a little bling?

Not a bad idea, if I have time before I give it to the group to be used I might have to do that.

Untwisting a basket twist is always the trickiest part, I always end up with a screw driver prying till all the bars are even or as close as I can get them.

 

It's a nice looking ornament however you hang it. A little tweaking and it'll be a beaut.

 

About being satisfied, we'll NEVER be completely satisfied. Our eye will always be draw to any little detail not quite perfect. It's a sign of a perfectionist in a very plastic and tactile craft. It's a GOOD thing.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

I liked the ornament idea enough to give it a try.  The first one turn into scrap.  The second is made out of 3/16 round and is a little heavy.  The other is 1/8 round stock.  Neither one of them is very straight but a good learning experince none the less.  I tried to forge weld the first with no success so the other 2 are mig welded into a large lump on each end.  Then they are drawn out.  The finish is from a brass brush.