Return to the Garden Accoutrements Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
constructing an obelisk
| | |
Posted by costumecarol z4 ME (My Page) on Mon, May 29, 06 at 9:38
| I have a couple rambling roses.
I have given up trying to keep trellises upright.
Has anyone here ever made an obelisk? DH thinks it could be made inexpensively out of copper pipe. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
Copper pipe isn't all that inexpensive but it is strong and sturdy. You have to design well because you have to watch the corners as there are only certain angles available.
My son made me 2 different ones from plans from birds and blooms which turned out great! They are made from wood but I only have Clematis on them. These were much cheaper to make.
Good Luck! |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
Hi Carol,
Afraid I'm gonna have to agree with zgardennut about the recent spikes in copper pricing. Several of my garden art projects have been altered or put off because of this.
An alternative I have been using with great success has been pvc pipe. Because of the short lengths required for this type project, the strength is not an issue. They turn out beautifully. You can find some patterns by googling copper obelisk. My greatest fun comes with the fact that pvc so readily accepts spray paint. My pieces all are prettiful because of the miracle of Rustoleum. They make a wonderful metallic copper paint that goes on like a dream.
Another of my favorites is their American Accents line that comes in kits of two cans of paint and directions. The finishes I have tried are the crackle creations and the patina finish (vertige color of course)
Let your imagination run wild. Who knows what you will come up with...
Have fun,
Jan |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| Another option is rebar. You can get it in precut lengths in the box stores or loner pieces at contractor supply |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| Instead of a trellis of this shape, I suggest using a thick post. It may be circular, or perhaps a piece of 4x4 or 6x6 lumber. Cap it with an interesting fence post or even a bird house. Add interesting wrought iron elements used for hanging plants. I did this with my own climbing rose and it looks excellent. |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| Hmmm...still have some left over American Accents Copper and Verdegris...it made that stamped metal weathervane look lovely. Casting about on the internet also turned up some beautiful designs for pressure treated wood with a purchased finial on top. After several years of trying to make a regular trellis and an arbor/entryway stay square and upright, a stable pyramidal structure has appeal. DH detests plumbing, but enjoys soldering copper, may have other ideas.... Thanks, all! |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| I thought I'd share a picture of what I made from copper. I just placed it in the garden the other day. I don't know exactly, but it probably cost around $70 to make including the finial. I bought the fittings when our local home improvement store had a special where you got 17% off anything that could fit in their bag. Too bad the pipes didn't fit in. I made this because this seemed like something I could do myself. It was fairly easy. Bending the top pipes was the most challenging. 
|
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
Michelle that is a wonderful copper obelisk you made!I am impressed , Did you design it ?
Congrats on the beauty !
SuzyQ |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
Birds and Blooms magazine has some nice plans for pressure treated lumber. My son and I made one of their obelisks. It turned out really nice and it was very easy to make!
Check them out! |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| zgardennut, what date was the magazine? thanks,
almendra |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| I have made a few things from metal and use a pipe bending tool called a conduit bender in 3/4" or 1/2". You can bend multiple pieces of pipe and get the same shape or curve every time. |
RE: constructing an obelisk
| | |
| Michelle, that is gorgeous |
|
|
|
|
