Horus
Brigadier General
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2015
- Messages
- 12,249
Procedure for making a 10" high Palm tree. Higher or lower just add or subtract a bit.
I took a 16" piece of 16mm2 Cable, but reflecting on it 10mm2 would do just as well.
The cable I have is 7 core, so 7 fronds, extra ones are added.
Photos show what you'll need.
Strip back PVC sheaths to expose copper inner cores 4" at top which will be the Palm fronds and 2" at bottom for the base.
Starting at the top of the PVC sheath work you way down to the bottom winding the narrower of the two masking tape rolls creating the look of the sections on Palm trees (Thanks Gordon !) at the bottom wind several more layers to create the bulb like bottom of the Palm tree.
Splay the copper wire strands out fan like and stick masking tape over each strand as per photo. repeat for the rest of the fronds.
To add extra fronds, take a piece of wire approx. 4.5 " long and bend 1/2 " degrees to make the right angle. With these extra fronds I fond it easier to cut them to a leaf shape now. The fix them to the trunk under the already splayed wires with more masking tape wrapping just one piece per time as this helps build up the bulge at the top of the trunk.
Cut leaf shape out of the masking tape as per photo these will be your fronds.
Now paint trunk Brown and undercoat fronds Green. Allow to dry.
Dry brush trunk a light sandy colour and paint the leaves you chosen shade of green. I used a spray can for this. Just using a brush does just as well.
Allow to dry.
Using scissors cut the leaves feather like to mimic Palm fronds.
Adjust your fronds to the shape you want and you're done !
Final tip use latex gloves when painting !
Steve
I took a 16" piece of 16mm2 Cable, but reflecting on it 10mm2 would do just as well.
The cable I have is 7 core, so 7 fronds, extra ones are added.
Photos show what you'll need.
Strip back PVC sheaths to expose copper inner cores 4" at top which will be the Palm fronds and 2" at bottom for the base.
Starting at the top of the PVC sheath work you way down to the bottom winding the narrower of the two masking tape rolls creating the look of the sections on Palm trees (Thanks Gordon !) at the bottom wind several more layers to create the bulb like bottom of the Palm tree.
Splay the copper wire strands out fan like and stick masking tape over each strand as per photo. repeat for the rest of the fronds.
To add extra fronds, take a piece of wire approx. 4.5 " long and bend 1/2 " degrees to make the right angle. With these extra fronds I fond it easier to cut them to a leaf shape now. The fix them to the trunk under the already splayed wires with more masking tape wrapping just one piece per time as this helps build up the bulge at the top of the trunk.
Cut leaf shape out of the masking tape as per photo these will be your fronds.
Now paint trunk Brown and undercoat fronds Green. Allow to dry.
Dry brush trunk a light sandy colour and paint the leaves you chosen shade of green. I used a spray can for this. Just using a brush does just as well.
Allow to dry.
Using scissors cut the leaves feather like to mimic Palm fronds.
Adjust your fronds to the shape you want and you're done !
Final tip use latex gloves when painting !
Steve
