George's suggestion also works well on a lathe large enough to make a 28" solid pipe. Cut in half and hollow out on a router table. You could even add some decorative coves and other features then.
Might even want to hollow it and glue it back together before turning it.
Ken I have no lathe. And no space YET for one. (Moving in September God willing...) but yeah a lathe would make this so much easier.