I would set a large birdhouse on the top!

I think I would put a really neat birdhouse on the top and then have some kind of pretty plant grow up the legs of it. Maybe build a gnome village beneath it. Make it the centerpiece of a spot in your garden.

A finial on top and grow a vine up it!!! It's flat on top how perfect, you could set a totem on there!!!

You could also use it as a stand for a windmill or an armilary or for a sundial.

How much weight would it hold? An idea that comes to my mind--and one I haven't tried but now I'm itching to go try it out-- how about a giant garden spider perched atop, made with a bowling ball body and pvc pipe legs? The pvc could be easily heated and bent into just the right angles. You could spray paint the spider any color you'd like, or even better (and way more time-consuming) mosaic the whole thing for an elegant, glittery effect.
I've been followng this forum for a while and have become addicted--so many fun and creative ideas!

I would not do anything to it other than refinish it.

Leave it the way it is. You can easily find a polished brass transit to put on it (try eBay). It may not be too expensive. An antique brass telescope will be nice too.

You will have a really classy decorative piece for your garden or living room.

http://www.earlycorvettes.com/greatdad/instrumentpics/Schmolz.jpg

dcarch

I'd put a bird feeder on it. All of my windows are up high, and my feeders are too low. That would raise it up high enough that I could see them.... and drive my cats crazy. muahahahaaa

I would find a way to put a mosaiced bowling ball on top. Maybe one mosaiced in mirrors. I do like montanahick's idea too!

Use it to display a gb, plant or bh. Might be able to hang crystals under the top part. Let us know what you decide to do.

Kat

Thanks you guys for the neat ideas...I will let you know what I end up doing with it. :)

all the ideas are great.....I agree with them all. You also might use it to make a lamp. To use outdoors, use one of the kits that is waterproof. Is it wooden or plastic. I have seen both. You could also put a flag in it.

Look for a metal frame ... at GS or TS's ... 16 x 20" or so...mount it standing on top of tripod...you've created a "living art" pc...can raise it up or down & move it around your gardens to highlight the "art" of the moment! Jeanne S.

The mirrored bowling ball was going to be my suggestion as well.

Something with a modern art feel to it.