Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I just purchased a pair of 6ft high lighted Nutcracker style soldiers. Each weighs about 25lb. I want to free stand them on my front entrance/porch which is faced on three sides with brick. My idea is to cut a 3ft circle of 3/4" plywood, screw a 2X4 across the top of the board, and drill holes in the 2X4 to insert the two legs. The legs are 3/8" solid steal and 8" long. I could drill holes for small diameter pvc pipe to add height, but I dought I could find an inside diameter to fit snugly enough to prevent wiggling.
So, 1) would the board size be large enough to prevent tipping, 2) would the 2X4 be deep enough or would about an 8" pvc pipe be adequate? This sort of an engineer problem and that I am not. I would hate to go ahead with this project not knowing if it will work.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Sounds more like something that could support a car or truck! Over engineering can be good.... The tipping over or failure factor will be an issue at the point where the figure is just setting on top of that heavy duty table! I would use the 3/4" plywood and make the legs with 2x4 to any length you need. Use glue and screws to attach them or even add a cross brace if the length exceeds 12". look how long the legs are on a kitchen table. I bet most tables will support several hundred pounds...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

How about either a short section of either 2x6 or 2x8 with the long side vertical, and then screwed and glued (with yellow wood glue) to the base, then drilled to accept the steel rods. I'd use treated wood (including plywood).

You could also use galvanized 1/2" floor flanges screwed to the base with 6" - 8" long galvanized 1/2" pipe nipples screwed into the flanges to provide the "sockets" for the steel rods. Unfortunately the ID of the 1/2" pipe is a bit too big for a snug fit, so perhaps stepping them down with an appropriate size of copper of plastic tubing as an insert. A few minutes in the plumbing section of your local Lowes or Home Depot should allow lots of trial fits.

Alternately, you could pick up a couple of solid concrete blocks and use a 3/8" masonry drill for the two needed holes. Cheap, waterproof, very stable and easily painted or stained in a color to compliment the statues. That would be my choice.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Thanks to all for your replys. Forgot to mention that the soldiers are of the open "wire" type that would/should be fairly wind resistant since the porch is enclosed on 3 sides. Also, the plywood, if I go that route will not be on legs. Will sit flat on the porch floor, also brick.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Suspend them from the ceiling with fishing line.
Double or quadruple monofilament line tied onto
a 1/8th inch screw eye attached to framing.

When done, leave the screw eyes in place for
next project - nobody will notice them.

~Lee

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It sounds like the "legs" are pipes that extend below the soldier's boots. Since the steel legs are 8" long, I would use three 2X4s so the soldier's boots would be on a solid surface. A 3' circle should be sufficient, but you could also run fishing line to secure them to pegs in the ground if you expect high winds.

Can you post some pictures?

stbg1951 Loc: Lewes, DE

My got thing to stand things up outside are outdoor umbrella stands. Put the steel in the stand and screw it tight. I keep extras to quiclky put up volyball nets ect when the kids come in nice weather. fast easy.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Yes, but will have to do it from my desktop. At the moment I am on my iPod air with no way to upload a photo.

Ka2azman Loc: Tucson, Az

Just a thought if you have something not fitting quite tight enough like your PVC pipe. Use that expanding insulation in a can and use pipe large enough difference to allow getting the insulation into the cavity. Also drill weep holes in the outside pipe if the pipe is long, to allow you to get deeper in the cavity and allow air to escape and make room for the expanding insulation. Also check for the amount of expansion the insulation grows to on the can. There are various expansion amounts.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Can you post some pictures?[/quote]

Pictures as promised. The lighted ones are off ebay. These things came with no instructions other than how to change bulbs. Can't figure out how the thing works. The saluting soldier will fully light, but when the included animation controller is connected the whole fixture blinks. The drummer arrived with the controller installed just below the head (see my pic), but had to provide power to two different plugs to get animation to work. And all lights worked except the head/hat. You can see the stand I made. Had to use 3/4 " 2X2 plywood; Lowe's was out of the 4X4. As you can see, it stands up. There is a bit of wiggling due to the pipe having a larger diameter than the support feet. I think a simple shim will take care of that. Now on to make the second stand. I wanted to make sure the stand would work before making a second one. Of course, if I can't get the electrics to work they won't be displayed. I found an email in the package for support. I'm not holding my breath.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Excellent! There's not much weight to that. Good job.