BREAKING NEWS

[dominick]

The vintage revolving musical tree stand is out of storage and poised to accept the first of many trees. The tree is expected any minute now. Stay with us for further updates and pictures as soon as my friend returns my camera. :-?

:wiggy: :???: :cool:

[Ervserver]

Good news.....I'll be waiting for updates


:???:

[Christy Carol]

Let me be the first to congratulate you!


:???:

[dominick]

The tree... is in! Now I'm looking for my LED lights. The stand is a little worse for wear, but hopefully it'll hold up for the season. It sometimes twitches a little more than revolves. :-(

[Ervserver]

I've always wanted one of those

[dominick]

Mine was given to us by my Grandma when she moved to Florida. She used to live on Lake Freeman in Monticello, IN, and I used to stand in awe of it listening to it's music box style Jingle Bells. We first tried it with our 7½' and it proved to be too much for it. The whole thing came down two days before Christmas. This will be the first year it gets used since then; I brought it out to be used with the 6' in my room. I couldn't find any kind of date on the package, but it looks to be from the 70s at the latest.

[Ervserver]

That makes it even more special, was given to you by grandma. I've seen these vintage stands on Ebay and often thought about bidding but I have a 7.5 ft tree so I better not. I know they still make revolving tree stands so I would assume the new ones have a more beefy drive.

[dominick]

I agree. The stand means a lot to me. It's the stuff with history that makes Christmas special. When this thing finally dies on me, I will definitely have it apart on a bench trying to patch together what I can to make it work again.

[Ervserver]

I bet you'll be uploading pictures today

:???:

[dominick]

Still waiting for my camera. :x Calling him now.

[dominick]

Well it looks like the stand is no more. I think the gears are worn out, but I won't know until I take it apart. It's going to take me awhile to get inside; it's held shut with what seems like 1000 rivets. :( :(

[Ervserver]

OH NO! looks as though the manufacturer intended it to be non serviceable bummer. I hope you can get in it and make the repairs.

[dominick]

I'll get in it. I tried drilling them out but they just started spinning in their holes, but my die grinder will make quick work of them. Whether or not it will be repairable will probably come down to how creative I can get.
8-)

[Ervserver]

you can do it....for grandma !

:-)

[dominick]

The patient seems to have died on the operating table. The ring gear around the tree cup was pretty badly worn, so I drilled out the rivets holding the motor down and slotted the holes to make it adjustable with some screws. After I fixed a crossed wire :o and buttoned it up for the second time, it worked for a couple minutes before it started popping and twitching again. I can't seem to find a happy pinion depth for the motor pinion. The ring gear must just be too worn. :(

I'm already trying to think of a way to use the motor and music box portion somewhere else. I'll probably go back to it tomorrow to give it another shot after I settle down a bit.

[Ervserver]

hmmm thats too bad but things do wear out, how exactly did the musical part work? something electonic?

[sheepsnot]

When this thing finally dies on me, I will definitely have it apart on a bench trying to patch together what I can to make it work again.
Strap it to the drive on a Farmall tractor and she'll spin like a top! My neighbors used a tractor to power their sawmill. Lots of speed, little control, and injuries galore.

[Ervserver]

That's why farmers always kept a moonshine still in the grove, a couple swigs kills any pain from an injury

[dominick]

The musical part was like a traditional music box with tuned metal bars and a revolving drum with the "notes". A switch would push the gear for the drum into the pinion gear for the motor so the music could be on or off while the tree was turning. That aspect of the stand is cool enough for me to salvage at least that part. I'm thinking of making a wood decoration and using the motor to animate it. Perhaps use a setup like an oscillating fan to make a waving snow man or Santa.

[Ervserver]

A waving Santa or would be cool, looking forward to see what your project looks like.

[dominick]

As I type I sit in my dimly lit room taking in perhaps one of the greatest moments of season. I can't really describe what the occasion is or the resulting feeling, but I have a tree up (lit but no ornaments yet), some of the assorted decorations are adorning my shelves, and the year's first viewing of A Christmas Story is gracing my television. I'm just overwhelmed with the spirit of the season right now. Bliss. 8)

[Ervserver]

I know the feeling...I setup the tree today ( pre-lit ) and it's beautiful. As I down this 3 mug of eggnog I so welcome the holiday season.