Western Type tree maker

[ridinshotgun]

So I thought that at sometime in the past on here someone mentioned a maker of west coast type trees to include trees such as redwoods and lodgepole pines.  I thought I had it bookmarked but now I can't find it.  I already have the Mackenzie Bros and Coastman's but I know it was not either of them.  Is there anyone else that anyone knows of or had dealings with to get those kind of trees or the parts/kits to make them?

[wazzou]

I made myself a jig for holding wires securely and just roll my own.

[BCR751]

wazzou, that's the first time I've ever seen Western Larch trees modelled.  Good job!

Doug

[peteski]

Those look very good Bryan.

[nkalanaga]

High Pines Limited in Iowa made most of mine (literally hundreds), but I haven't seen him mentioned in many years.

[ridinshotgun]

High Pines Limited in Iowa made most of mine (literally hundreds), but I haven't seen him mentioned in many years.

Yeah I googled them and didn't get any results.

It would have been back before Covid hit that I remembered it being mentioned.  So maybe 3-4 years ago.  It was a smaller operation but also sold various supplies like the trunks and stumps.  I wish I could find it but I have a feeling it may have gone the way of the dodo.

If I can't locate them I guess I will go with some of the coastman's kits.

[nkalanaga]

My last purchase from them was more like 20 years ago, so they apparently lasted longer than I thought.  When I bought mine  the trunks were some type of plastic, probably wire insulation.  After the first I asked him to leave the trunks off.  My trees that needed visible trunks got real wood, bush branches drilled out for the wire "trunk".

Somebody used to sell a hand tool for twisting your own, with an optional motorizing kit.  I don't know anything about it, and don't remember anyone online talking about it.

[ridinshotgun]

My last purchase from them was more like 20 years ago, so they apparently lasted longer than I thought.  When I bought mine  the trunks were some type of plastic, probably wire insulation.  After the first I asked him to leave the trunks off.  My trees that needed visible trunks got real wood, bush branches drilled out for the wire "trunk".

Somebody used to sell a hand tool for twisting your own, with an optional motorizing kit.  I don't know anything about it, and don't remember anyone online talking about it.

Pretty sure that is Mackenzie Bros with the tool.  I really like the aspens they create with the tool but their trees made with it just look OK.  I like the flocking materail and method Coastman's uses a little better (and they use real wood trunks).

[NtheBasement]

I made myself a jig for holding wires securely and just roll my own.

Details please.  Those trees look great.

[wazzou]

Details please.  Those trees look great.

Thank you.
Here are a couple of pictures and a brief description of how I use the jig.
I use the vise in the photo to hold the jig.  To the left of the jig, I have my cordless drill clamped to my bench, with a Cotter Pin chucked in it.
I twist the ends of the wire in the Cotter Pin and then one wire goes through the top hole in the plywood, twisted around the top pin.
The bottom wire goes through the lower hole and is twisted around the lower pin.
I use the triangular gap created in the wires to slide pre-cut and straightened Sisal Rope fiber down the length of the wires.
I'll space the fiber out to keep them relatively even, straight and separated from each other as mush as possible.
Depending on how tall I want the trees usually dictates the diameter of the wire I use and how many gaps I'll leave between groups of fibers to net one, two, three or even four trees.
Hit the trigger gently to twist the wires, securing the fiber until taught, taking care not to twist too tightly.
Cut where appropriate, shape, paint and flock.




 

[NtheBasement]

Thank you.
Here are a couple of pictures and a brief description of how I use the jig.
I use the vise in the photo to hold the jig.  To the left of the jig, I have my cordless drill clamped to my bench, with a Cotter Pin chucked in it.
I twist the ends of the wire in the Cotter Pin and then one wire goes through the top hole in the plywood, twisted around the top pin.
The bottom wire goes through the lower hole and is twisted around the lower pin.
I use the triangular gap created in the wires to slide pre-cut and straightened Sisal Rope fiber down the length of the wires.
I'll space the fiber out to keep them relatively even, straight and separated from each other as mush as possible.
Depending on how tall I want the trees usually dictates the diameter of the wire I use and how many gaps I'll leave between groups of fibers to net one, two, three or even four trees.
Hit the trigger gently to twist the wires, securing the fiber until taught, taking care not to twist too tightly.
Cut where appropriate, shape, paint and flock.

Not quite sure I get it.  Is this right?
The drill is clamped so the cotter pin ends up next to the metal piece's groove.
As you spin the drill you add sisal just beyond the groove and it twists tight.
As the twist moves toward the plate with the holes you add more sisal there.
More wire feeds thru the holes as you go.

[wazzou]

Not quite sure I get it.  Is this right?
The drill is clamped so the cotter pin ends up next to the metal piece's groove.
As you spin the drill you add sisal just beyond the groove and it twists tight.
As the twist moves toward the plate with the holes you add more sisal there.
More wire feeds thru the holes as you go.

The drill and the vise holding the jig are separated by approximately 18" depending on the wire I'm using.  It's not on a spool or anything.
Where the pair of wires go over that notch in the metal piece of the jig and into their respective holes, you'll notice there would be a triangular gap in the top and bottom wires created at that point.
Before I spin the drill, I load the fiber down the length of it, at that gap.
The wires are held securely by the pins in the jig and the Cotter Pin in the drill chuck.
You end up with a long feather looking thing and then you twist the wires.

[nkalanaga]

You could do the same thing with a hand crank if you wanted to be cheap, or use it while watching TV, without disturbing the rest of the family.