[Tutorial] How to build a timber bonsai bench

[Boics]

Hello Drac.

I've made a new sketchup which accommodates the different size wood I'm intending to use and a custom size for my requirements.

This sketchup could be easily amended to suit any requirements really.
What sort of size do you have to work with?

Cheers,

[Drac0]

Hello Drac.

I've made a new sketchup which accommodates the different size wood I'm intending to use and a custom size for my requirements.

This sketchup could be easily amended to suit any requirements really.
What sort of size do you have to work with?

Cheers,

Got home & measured, overall length would need to be no more than 1600 mm. Depth/height isn't an issue though, plenty of space between the railing & the sliding door.

The way things are going though, I might need to find someone to rent me some space outdoors.

*** EDIT ***
Just had a thought (they do come few & far between...).
May try and come up with a corner unit on one end of the balcony & a small work bench with more shelving on the other end. Won't leave much room but who cares....

Cheers

[Rowdy]

I Have recently moved into my own home and plan on building two of these to get all my bonsai off the ground, and even give me room for more.
However I am unable to download the plans. How can I get hold of them?
And if they are sitting on earth rather then a deck, is that a problem, or should I get some tiles under the legs?

[jeremy_norbury]

It was just pointed out to me that the links I'd provided a few years ago no longer work (thanks Microsoft!).

So, here are the complete plans:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?re ... A0FD6E!210

Here are photos of both my benches and those built by others from the plans:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/se ... 697509234/

And these are my trees:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/se ... 7802493717

Jerry

[kcpoole]

Thanks for the update Jerry
How is holland with bad weather around there

Ken

[Tamnewbie]

Unfortunately, I only recently found this subject in the general discussions and I know it is from quite a while ago. But a friend from our local Bonsai Club has recently built a shadehouse for my rather motly collection of established bonsais and all my "still in training and 'hopefull' stage bonsais". posting.php?mode=reply&f=29&t=1830#" But I love them all and am still in training myself, so as we have already had 2 hail storms and more hot / rough weather predicted for 2014, I'm wondering if anyone has incorporated a roll-out, roll-up second shadecloth cover for extra protection on the top for really hot (as also predicted) or really rough weather. I'd be very grateful for any help. Love all the different designed benches, by the way.posting.php?mode=reply&f=29&t=1830#"

[Boics]

Funny you say this.

As I was just going to post this...

I finished this a while ago now and constructed the cover part around 3 weeks ago.

The cover is simply bits of treated pine bolted to the primary structure using wing nuts it's very very basic but temporary as I didn't want a cover structure all year round.
In hindsight I would have preferred to cantilever the actual shelter from the middle support rather than the front like I have done.
Aesthetically it would look better IMO but may run the risk of damage from extensive winds when up as it would take more load with this design.

I simply roll out the shadecloth on hot days and when the hotter months are done the wing nuts allow me to easily remove the cover structure. Once again the shadecloth is very basic with simply bolts and wing nuts used to fix it once it's rolled out.

[Isitangus]

Hi boics I think that looks fine as it is.

[Steven]

Great workmanship Boics. I'd like to see a picture with trees on it too
Are you going to run a watering system?

Regards,
Steven

[Boics]

I am not running a watering system as yet.
I usually just use a timer on a tap right now but in saying that I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to rig up a system onto the wood.... Maybe next summer.

Here is a picture with some of my motley crew hastily thrown onto the benches for a photo.

Note that the top / canopy frame is off on this photo.

[Tamnewbie]

Funny you say this.

As I was just going to post this...

I finished this a while ago now and constructed the cover part around 3 weeks ago.

The cover is simply bits of treated pine bolted to the primary structure using wing nuts it's very very basic but temporary as I didn't want a cover structure all year round.
In hindsight I would have preferred to cantilever the actual shelter from the middle support rather than the front like I have done.
Aesthetically it would look better IMO but may run the risk of damage from extensive winds when up as it would take more load with this design.

I simply roll out the shadecloth on hot days and when the hotter months are done the wing nuts allow me to easily remove the cover structure. Once again the shadecloth is very basic with simply bolts and wing nuts used to fix it once it's rolled out.

Thank you for that Boics. Have tried to post a pic of my bonsai house but can't seem to get it to attach. Will keep trying. thanks again

[Bek]

Thanks so much for these plans, I'm definitely planning on building one (or two). I showed the plans to a bonsai club member and he mentioned something I hadn't thought of.
Is there any possible danger from any chemicals 'leeching' from the decking timbers onto the plants on the shelves below? We'll also be watering the plants (and therefore the decking) on a daily basis - more so than any regular decking might get wet.
Does anyone here know much about decking and the chemicals they contain? Hoping someone might have already researched this

[morrie]

thanks for the tips and inspiration
i built this from salvaged wood from neighbours gazebo. most expensive thing was the paint. i did not put in a lower shelf as i needed to get the mower underneath it - i adjusted the length to 1.8 m due to the space i have

pretty happy with that ,i is, if i say so myself
couldn't have done it with out this thread

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

Great job Morrie!

Good to see recycling being done.Also the smaller size means it's easier to move around when the need eventually arises. Better to have two of this size and the second one is easier to make too!

[jeremy_norbury]

Thanks so much for these plans, I'm definitely planning on building one (or two). I showed the plans to a bonsai club member and he mentioned something I hadn't thought of.
Is there any possible danger from any chemicals 'leeching' from the decking timbers onto the plants on the shelves below? We'll also be watering the plants (and therefore the decking) on a daily basis - more so than any regular decking might get wet.
Does anyone here know much about decking and the chemicals they contain? Hoping someone might have already researched this

Only two years late.

None of the bonsai are under the shelf above - so there's no runoff. My benches are now 6 years old and nothing died - well apart from at my hands.

Bonus shot of what autumn looks like here - I know you don't get it.

10170317 by Jerry Norbury, on Flickr