AusBonsai

I built this today using some treated pine i got from bunnings. Rough looking timber but it does the job, first attempt at building my own bench. Just needed something to start me off for my first trees.

G-day Shoey & welcome to the start of a possible addiction
Mate compared to my first bench that is a Rolls Royce
Hope to see you fill that baby soon as.
cheers

Congrats, that is a very sturdy construction.
No one looks at the bench when you have your trees on it, trust me!

when you said rough , i imagined sticks on some bricks!!!

question for the forum though??? - i painted my "rough but effective bench" (that was rougher and less effective than yours!!! ) made from treated pine cause i was concerned about the impact of any of the toxic stuff they treat it with affecting my trees -especially the lower shelves - as run off???
is that as just being overly paranoid??

Shoey91,

Well done it looks great - a word of caution for future benches(and they will come!) try to avoid "Ironwood sleepers" as even braced they get more twists than a pretzel.

John(JP)
CBS

I agree JP. Many treated pine sleepers twist or bow depending how they have been sawn. To hold them straight you need to screw them down to some strong cross pieces so they can't move.

It looks like one of Shoey's top planks has already started to twist a bit. but it should still hold plants.

question for the forum though??? - i painted my "rough but effective bench" (that was rougher and less effective than yours!!! ) made from treated pine cause i was concerned about the impact of any of the toxic stuff they treat it with affecting my trees -especially the lower shelves - as run off???
is that as just being overly paranoid??

I have not heard of or seen treated pine causing problems for plants. The chemicals used are aimed at termites and fungi and there are many retaining walls built from this stuff with plants thriving. Also plenty of weeds starting to grow in the cracks in my benches so they don't seem to mind the bare treated pine

Some of the timber turned to boomerangs overnight before i even put it all together, couldnt believe it.

I ended up using sleepers for my first 3 benches as well and all have bowed or twisted slightly
are there any other alternatives?

External hardwoods would be the way to go if possible to avoid twists and bends..nice aesthetics too.

Hardwoods are not all the same. Some weather better than others. Species suited as decking should last long enough to b worth using. Even hardwood will twist and bow as it dries out.
I think the best strategy is to screw all boards down to solid bearers with screws strong enough to resist the drying forces.

New composites like 'modwood' decking do not warp or twist. They are mostly plastic and may be a bit slippery when wet but would probably make good bench tops.
Most of my benches are gal mesh which is strong, lasts many years and, if you support it well, won't twist or buckle. Also allows extra good air movement and drainage. Use either steel or treated pine frames to support the mesh.

Guys,

I have been wrestling with this "bench" issue for the little time I have been in bonsai(around 4 years) and I have done a deal of research and whilst I don't have any definitive answer because what I have used seems to be working for other people
(I think benches for me are like Azalea's - THEY HATE ME! however I have seen a mate's benches which are made of -

3 x besser block stacks(4 high) on top of a paver each
then 4 x 100x50 hardwood rails 2.4 long stood on their ends and screwed to 9mm thick Fibre Cement sheets 400x2400(stuff used for housing eaves only thicker)

Its probably not as pretty as nice timber sleepers but his only complaint is he used 4mm sheet and now after a few years(he tell me) they are cracking.

I have determined a 12 month plan to go this way.

John(JP)
CBS