Rusty Christmas Tree Stand Restoration

Welcome!
Today I will be restoring a vintage North Bros Christmas tree stand. These were manufactured between the early 1900s to the early 1940s. With it being a simple design, it still worked flawlessly. That being said it was certainly not in the most pleasing asthetic condition with the amount of rust that had accumulated over many decades.
If you have any suggestions or feedback feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to hear it.
Thank you for watching, I hope you enjoy the video!
If you liked the video and would like to see more restoration videos like this, consider subscribing!
Restorations playlist: • Restorations
Previous video: • Vintage Two Speed Hand...

[@nataliemiller2856]

I have never seen a tree stand like that one, very unusual indeed. I love the black!!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Right, it's a pretty unique design! I wouldn't want to test it out with a proper tree without properly securing the legs to the floor since the legs are so close together. Thank you for watching!

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

Love it when things were made simple yet efficient! Bring back those days! With all the shortages these days we might have to figure out ways to make things more simply! God Bless!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Right, so simple but it'll last pretty much forever! Thank you for watching!

[@MKGultra]

Great restoration! Black was an interesting choice for a Christmas tree stand...

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, Matthew! Hahaha yeah it's not a very Christmassy looking little tree stand with its current paint job.

[@crabtreeshep4969]

Great job RR! They sure don't make them like they used to. Try finding a stand of that quality today! As for the color, doesn't really matter since the stand is usually covered with a festive skirt or hidden by presents 🎁. Love it and thank you for rescuing it!!!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Roger! They sure don't - You'd really have a hard time breaking this little stand! Although black was the original color of this stand, I would have liked to have painted the legs of it with the gold stripes it had originally. I ended up rushing my first 10 or so videos due to lack of time, but I'd love to go back and redo this one! Thanks a lot for watching!

[@jkr3008]

The fanciest tree stand I've ever seen in my entire life. And the result is amazing, great job.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you very much!

[@georgeshelton6281]

Never will I ever forget what Duane G. Shelton said about us fellow Americans, "we're going to get our first taste of Soviet communism." Especially when we criminalize Christianity.

[@garyjones2582]

They just don't make Christmas tree stands like they used to.. Very nice work...

[@randomrestoration6858]

They sure don't! This little stand so simple and pretty much indestructible. Thanks a lot!

[@Mlenski_restorations]

Wow. I have been thinking about similar fixing system on mine Christmas tree stand project. Did not know that is already exist. Now I know I have reinvented the wheel 😁 Thank you. Very interesting to me. Nice restoration. 👍 I would really want to see this stand on my own eyes. 😳

[@iispjhanna]

Cool tree stand and it came out great. I didn't realize the new holiday colors are black....

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! Yes indeed, black is the new red and green hahaha.

[@farouknaji6508]

أحسنت صنعا ... اهتمامك بالتفاصيل دائما هو سر متابعتي لك. أداه جميله لاعادتها بشكل جميل .. أحسنت العمل .. الاضاءة اثناء التصوير هذه المرة في بعض اللقطات غير مناسبه.

[@randomrestoration6858]

شكرا جزيلا! أوافق على الإضاءة.

[@maartenlemmens8628]

Great job! 👍👌 the holes in the feet indicate it should be screwed to a plate of some kind to keep it steady.

[@randomrestoration6858]

I could be wrong but I think they intended you to screw it straight to the floor since it's a bit rickety with a taller tree in it. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@lotsabirds]

Another success! It looks great!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Holy smokes, I can't believe it's almost been two years since this restoration! I appreciate it, Bill!

[@lotsabirds]

@@randomrestoration6858 time flies!!

[@billschipper1718]

It wasn't a complex job but still looks great. It's look like a base for a small tree 🎄 . I would use it this Christmas.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, Bill! Indeed, it is a very simple piece, but it certainly has a very cool/classy look to it.

[@marcuscicero9587]

like this old ornate metal work. really nice restore. with no water reservoir xmas trees did not last long in the old days

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, Marcus! Haha right, those trees must not have been up for very long

[@adriamiraguilar]

No conocía ese objeto. Quedó hermoso como todo lo que haces !!!

[@randomrestoration6858]

¡Muchas gracias por el apoyo, Adriana!

[@robertovillalobos4798]

Muy hermoso , duradero , complicado y te quedó excelente. Desde Venezuela ciudad Maracaibo.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Perdón por la respuesta tardía, pero muchas gracias por tus amables palabras. 🙂

[@GT_Racer347]

That thing is badass! They don't make em like they used to.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha, very true. Thanks for watching!

[@timsmith1589]

That's a very cool old piece you got there, great job bringing back too. I hope that you will get lots of use out of it bro.

[@randomrestoration6858]

I appreciate it, Tim! The questionable tree I placed in this at the end is still actually in it, so I guess I've been getting some use out of it hahaha.

[@paulorth2251]

Nicely done, sir very nicely done indeed. Hopefully you will be able to get good use out of it. Love the detailing on the model and name, thanks.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you very much, Paul! So far it still has the same tree in it from last year, so I guess in a way it is getting used haha.

[@petricabistricean1806]

Super tare 👍🍒

[@ankermek]

Cool item. Nice work 👍

[@thomasthompson6799]

Very nice restoration of a useful old implement. Some more festive colors would have been nice but black is okay. Thanks!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Thomas! I agree, it's a bit boring in its current state. It originally had a bit more gold coloring, but unfortunately I had to rush this project a bit and never ended up adding a bit more color to it to make it less dull looking. Thanks for watching!

[@maggiesue4825]

Brilliant design!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Agreed, simple and reliable!

[@AwakeAtTheWheel]

Such a cool and retro looking device! Has a very steam punk aesthetic. Well done on the restoration, cheers!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks for the comment! It certainly is an interesting looking stand. I'll have find a nice way to display it in the future.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

I think it's genuinely old, not retro.

[@garymucher9590]

Interesting and very nice tree stand. Never seen one like that but it is a great project all the same. You did a good refurbishing job on this one. Thumbs Up!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Right! These are so different to more modern tree stands that they're almost unrecognizable. Thanks for watching!

[@masterlcpl3736]

instead of doin all that work with paintstripper and rust remover and scrubbing you should just get a sandblaster. would save you a bunch of time and work plus we all would love to see sandblasting 😁

[@randomrestoration6858]

I definitely agree with you there! I know people love to see sandblasting, and it saves a lot of time - especially since I have to wait a day or more for the rust remover to work. It's at the top of my to purchase list, however, the only catch is that I (very unfortunately) don't currently have space for one. As soon as I can figure out a spot to put it I'll certainly be getting one! Thanks a lot for watching!

[@masterlcpl3736]

@@randomrestoration6858 yay! 😁😁

[@typoagain1]

You find the coolest stuff to work on. I watched a video a few days ago specifically to see how the guy removed rust. (He specifically refused to show what chemicals he used) Do you know what he restored? A nut and eye bolt! What a joke!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha that’s not the fancies thing to restore, is it? I’m not sure why they used, but I personally use Evapo-Rust, and it works very well!

[@jam2190]

A Charlie Brown tree, if I've ever seen one

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha it really was! Thanks for watching!

[@Multantechinfo]

good video restoration

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you very much for the support!

[@barthanes1]

It would make a great base for a coat rack.

[@randomrestoration6858]

You certainly could use as a base, not a bad idea! There are definitely a fair few number of ways I imagine you could repurpose it now that you've mentioned it!

[@lazyliar409]

The rust remover was Evaporust

[@randomrestoration6858]

It was indeed!

[@hjemison]

I noticed that a wire was removed on disassembly. Was this a previous repair not now needed?

[@randomrestoration6858]

It's been so long since I've done this project, but if my memory serves me correct the wire seemed to have been wrapped around the top by someone in the past, and not from the factory. It seems to have been added to help keep the three main pieces tight together, but (unless you try to install a comically large tree) the screws that hold the main three pieces together and the large threaded ring should hold it together well enough for average use. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@barthanes1]

Where did you find a cast iron christmas tree stand? Never seen one before. Nice work.

[@randomrestoration6858]

I found this on eBay while searching for old cast iron items to restore. Once I came across it I knew it would make a great project. Thanks for watching!

[@fingerscenterbrook]

Gold plate for Xmas

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks for watching, Dave. Hopefully you weren't too offended by the awful tree like thing I placed in it at the end hahaha

[@fingerscenterbrook]

@@randomrestoration6858 I’m always impressed by older designs, for example the plastic tree holder I have now is poorly designed and artless. Good on you for preserving older, better designs. I enjoy your videos. I think you should continue.

[@randomrestoration6858]

@@fingerscenterbrook Thanks again, David! I agree - This stand is practically indestructible, simple and quite classy. I certainly plan on continuing to make videos, so stay tuned! 🙂

[@buller99999]

I think you need more light some of the places in your workshop

[@randomrestoration6858]

Yeah this was one of my first videos and the lighting in them was pretty bad at points. Thanks for watching!

[@normoloid]

I think it's missing a tightening tool for that collar nut, I think those 4 snubs on it are for such.

[@randomrestoration6858]

I initially thought the same when I first came across it, however I did a decent amount of searching online and have never seen any such tool being sold along side one. They may be simply for gripping onto while tightening it, but I can't say for sure. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@PLuMUK54]

That is certainly not the worst Christmas tree. You should what a class of 11 year olds can come up with if you let them decorate their classroom!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahahaha yeah I can imagine there may be some interesting attempts at Christmas trees with them! As long as I'm not coming last in the sketchy Christmas tree decorating competition I'll take it as a solid victory haha. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesmoe9188]

A nice piece! I am curious about one thing, at 4:23 the threads of the tightening collar appear to have some damage, is that just casting defects? New sub courtesy Mr. Patina.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Welcome! I'll have to thank him later :) The two recessed areas on the threads were casting related. If I recall correctly all of these that I've seen has that same odd cutout in the threads, but I can't put my finger on exactly why they are there. Thanks for watching!

[@user-sl3il5sz2s]

A good object of restoration - I love old cast iron. A job well done, no nagging. But the lighting when shooting video is poor - a lot of shadows and glare.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you! I agree, the lighting in this video was not very good. My newer videos are better, but still not perfect. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@homeyshlitz]

That is one small tree stand man. It also looks like there isn't a reservoir for water ether.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Yeah, it's definitely made for smaller trees. It does have screw holed in the feet to help hold it up at least. It's quite an old design, and I don't believe I've seen a tree stand from this time frame with a reservoir - I guess they wanted an extra dehydrated and flammable tree haha Thanks for watching!

[@typoagain1]

I purchased a high-end artificial tree a few years ago. You would think that a $350 tree wouls come with a nice stand. Not so. This would be perfect. I'll have to find one.

[@randomrestoration6858]

@@typoagain1 wow, you would really think they’d include a base in the package for that price!