Make a Nuts-and-Bolts Christmas Tree

Add contemporary style to your holiday decorating with this easy-to-make Christmas tree. The Scandinavian-inspired design uses pine craft boards and hardware to create moveable branches you can customize.

White Christmas tree from pine, nuts, and bolts.

Build the Base

Step 1: Cut the 1" × 2" × 6' board into four 16" pieces. For all four pieces of wood cut half-lap joints. For a flush fit, cut a groove 3⁄8" deep by 1 1⁄2" wide. Center the groove 7 1⁄4" from either end.

Step 2: Glue and clamp the half-lap joints together.

Step 3: Drill a 3⁄8" hole in the center of each base. Using a hacksaw, cut the 24" threaded rod to 19 1⁄2".

Step 4: Using a 1 1⁄8" spade bit, drill a circular groove 1⁄8" deep in the center of each base piece to accommodate the T-nut. Paint wood if desired. Thread base pieces onto rod, securing each base piece with the T-nut.

Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree Base-Step 1

Cut the Branches

Step 1: Cut the 8 pieces of select pine craft boards into the following branch lengths (there should be two of each length): 18", 16 1⁄2", 15", 13 1⁄2", 12", 10 1⁄2", 9", 7 1⁄2", 6", 4 1⁄2", and 3".

Step 2: Drill a 3⁄8" hole in the center of each branch. Drill 7⁄16" holes 1⁄2" from the end of 10 to 12 branches to cradle ornaments. Paint the branches.

Step 3: Build the tree by screwing parts in this order: washer, nut, washer, pine branch, repeat. Start with the 18" branches and finish with the 3" branches.

Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree Limbs-Step 2

Step 4: Top with nut only.

Step 5: Paint balls red and glue to the end of the boards.

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Skill Level: Beginner

Estimated cost: $33

Time Estimate: 4 hours

Dimensions: 18" square, 28" tall

Tools:

Table saw
Dado blade set
Hacksaw
Drill
3⁄8" drill bit
7⁄16" drill bit
11⁄8" spade bit
Glue
Clamp

Get It at Lowe’s:

24" × 3⁄8"-16 threaded rod/ bolt, #215901
8 - 3⁄8" × 2" × 36" select pine craft boards, #50227
1" × 2" × 6' pine board, #1205
2 - 3⁄8"-16 T-nut
23 - 3⁄8"-16 hex nuts
43 - 3⁄8" × 1 1⁄2" washers
Valspar Vanilla Satin decorative spray paint
Cedar balls, #86864

Items may be special order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.