Quick, simple bonsai bench

[kez]

Hey folks,

I've been meaning to knock up a proper stand for a while now, as up until now I have been using stray planks of wood held up by either besser blocks or milk crates. These did the job, but hardly looked the part, and surprisingly (or not) were not the most effective use of the space.

Today I decided I would finally pull my finger out so I made a trip to the hardware store in my lunch break (I work a 4 hour shift in the morning and a 4 hour shift in the evening so usually have the middle of the day off). I was kinda flying by the seat of my pants and not quite sure what I would find, and ended up settling on 10 3.6m lengths of framing. I got them to cut them all in half, and got them to cut a couple of bits down further leaving me with 4x900m, 2x600m and 2x300m for the sides, and enough to spare for a little bracing.

I did a rough sketch to get my measurements (on a used envelope lol) and got to work with what I had around the house.......... some decking screws, a drill and a hand saw!

Here's the sides I knocked up (using the 900's, 600's and 300's plus what I cut after my envelope calculations)

IMG_2313 (1024x683).jpg

And all together with the 1800m lengths as the bench tops

IMG_2314 (1024x683).jpg

from the front

IMG_2316 (1024x665).jpg

and where it will sit in the garden

IMG_2318 (1024x683).jpg

Next step will be a once over with the orbital and then a few coats of decking oil and it will be ready to house some trees

Hope you all enjoy

Kerrin

[Bek]

Looks great! Wish I could just 'knock' something like that up on a whim! That would be like, a major project for me, haha!

[loyskirineba]

Thanks for sharing

I've always wanted to make my bonsai stand

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

Great design and simple too!

Do you think it needs some lateral supports to stop an side movement? Even some metal strapping like they do for rooves to stop warping

It may need to have a centre leg or brace to cope with heavier trees placed in the mid section.

All in all, very inspiring. Will love to see it all done, stained and in use. Front on photos too please to see if there is any bowing from the weight.... I suppose you could use hardwood as horizontals too to cope with heavier trees??

[kez]

Thanks for the replies folks,

Stewart,

Yep next step today is to put some middle legs in for that exact reason. I have some fairly large trees so some support in there is a must. As far as lateral support, I think it should be sweet, the top planks of wood keep it fairy stable due to the way it is staggered, and on the ends I have a brace running from the middle legs to the back legs so front to back is pretty solid as well. I'll post more pics today with the internal legs in place

Kerrin

[kez]

Hey folks,

I got the building work for this finished on Friday and spent the weekend getting some cabbots decking oil onto it. I finally got it out of the garage today as it has only just dried thanks to this rain we've had (last coat was put on early Sunday morning)

Anyway it's all done now and is doing it's job

Here's some pics, sorry they aren't the best. I can't get a good front on shot with the cordylines in the way (they may have to go mwuhahahaha)

Here's my best front shot for reference re. weight bearing

IMG_2331 (1024x683).jpg

I recon the shimpaku weighs around 30kg, and the squamata on the left would be close to 20kg

Here's a shot from the right that shows the whole bench and the trees

IMG_2329 (1024x683).jpg

And from the left

IMG_2332 (1024x683).jpg

I am surprised at how much space the trees fill, I may need to make a second one at some point soon.

All in all I'm very happy, my original plan had the shelves 3 planks wide but it would have been too deep for the space, and it has meant that I am limited with regards to where I need to put some trees but you gotta do the best with what you got

Hope you all enjoy

Kerrin

[GreenThumb]

Very tidy work, love your trees too.

[jeremy_norbury]

Almost like the real thing:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/s ... 7697509234

[Bougy Fan]

I notice the handrails aren't finished on the stairs but you have got the bonsai stand made. Great to see you have your priorities straight

[Rory]

I notice the handrails aren't finished on the stairs but you have got the bonsai stand made. Great to see you have your priorities straight

He wouldn't be alone thats for sure

[dansai]

Did you say pine framing? Do you mean treated pine, or just plain old house framing? If it is not treated pine it will be susceptible to Termites and even with decking oil will rot fairly quickly, especially where your pots are sitting and at the ends and most definitely where it sits on the ground. It would be a shame to see your hard work fall to pieces.