Simple swivel Bonsai stand

[Mitchell]

Hi all!

Noticed this low profile swivel base at Buzzings.
Thought I could incorporate it into a stand for working, come display platform.

I like that no "L" brackets have to be used. I think they slightly ruin the natural look of the pole.

For the price of buying the "L" brackets, whats that say $10, your half way towards the price of the swivel base.

Took about an hour to assemble the whole stand, that includes the 15 mins for the concrete footer to set.
I think I will invest in some weather sealing, of the swivel workings as they are not rated for exterior use. This should be as simple as nailing some timber beading around it, on the underside of the platform to deflect water spray. I guess water may still saturate through the treated pine top... Oh well, we will see how long it spins for..



Any way, thought some people might find it novel, especially for large trees, it would be excellent for regular rotating. I think it finished off, nicer than a plastic swivel under the pot.

I am not game to try it yet as the concrete is still setting, but from examining the workings of the swivel, I would be confident that it would support my weight of 65kg on the edge of the timber and still swivel.


Edit~ I am starting to have visions of a self turning bonsai stand. As in, when a veiwer wants to examine the tree, they hit a button and the tree rotates before them. I know I can quickly modify this stand, as I have a high torque 12 v motor in the garage capable of it.... Hmmmmm Could be great for exhibitions, where trees are chained off and all sides can not be veiwed. They could slowly rotate for the veiwers.

Edit~ Here's a price list for the rest of the stand... there's $5 total staff discount, spread thought that. not sure where specifically.

Concrete Quickset 20kg X 2 $12.00
TP Pole 2.4m 100mm $10.98
TP Slab 1.2m $4.80
Swivel base $20.77
Mending plate HD X 2 $11.20
Timber screws 10x40 $3.38

[Jester]

I love it!! Thanks for the post Mitchell. Now all I need is a back yard!!! Seriously though, it is a very practical design

[alpineart]

Hi Mitchel , good idea i have one the same or very similar .Its a T.V swivel turntable i haven't anchored mine as i carry it from position to position and place it onto a cast iron stool .The lips no the base work well .Cheers Alpine

[sreeve]

Nice one Mitchell - I have been looking for these at the big B, but havent found them yet......must be looking in the wrong aisle......

I reckon I need to buy 2 of them if they will only support a persons weight of 65 kg

Regards
Steve

[Mitchell]

Nice one Mitchell - I have been looking for these at the big B, but havent found them yet......must be looking in the wrong aisle......

I reckon I need to buy 2 of them if they will only support a persons weight of 65 kg

Regards
Steve

I was meaning on the edge, 30cm off center on one side. If you centered the weight, as you would generally with a bonsai, it would support 150kg. I was making the example as many bonsai are heavily off centre, yet it seems it would still support the weight.
They should be in the builders hardware section. Ask one of the kids, if you can find them.



Jester, no problems mate, maybe you could make a smaller portable setup?

Alpine, yeah it could be used for tv's, pack says its a generic rotating base.

[nealweb]

A mate of mine just waits until the council verge collections when everyone throws out their old furniture etc. Collects some old office type swivel chairs. Pulls the chair bit off, puts on a nice piece of timber and there you have it. A rotating stand with adjustable height that is on wheels so you can move it about. And all for nest to nothing!

[Jamie]

gday mitchell.

that swivel looks like it is galv. so it should be fine with weather, what i would do is just make sure there is grease or oil in the bearings and refill it every 3-6months

[kcpoole]

Hey Neal I do the same thing mate
I made the first one about 3 years ago from and old computer office chair. Still have it now and I reckon in that time I could have made another 100 of em too
So many get thrown out it is amazing

ps my next one will have a gas lift too

Ken

[nealweb]

Hey Neal I do the same thing mate
I made the first one about 3 years ago from and old computer office chair. Still have it now and I reckon in that time I could have made another 100 of em too
So many get thrown out it is amazing

ps my next one will have a gas lift too

Ken

Haha, i'll have to give it a go then. I am still working on an old plastic turntable ontop of two stacked milkcrates

[Mitchell]

Well after some thought I started work on an assembly which turns the stand, when someone stands on the concealed pressure sensor directly infront of the bonsai.

I wanted someone to walk up and for the bonsai to just start turning slowly in front of them on the stand. I hacked a rotisserie motor/gearbox and added a large contact wheel, via a bolt through the drive gear.

Works a treat! The girlfriend thinks i'm an idiot, nah she thinks it is neat.


Really is impressive to see the plant rotate in front of you... I am happy with the result.
I also built a small control unit that allows me to step the motor very fine increments, left or right. Just checked then and I can get 520 shifts in 360 degrees. Should be tops for creating 360 degree you tube vids like this dodgy free hand one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pflhxJecz-o

[bonsai4life]

Very cool Mitchell

some Bonsai nuts d have brains

Well done mate
Cheers
Scott

[miyagiman]

work in to the bearings an application of marine wheel bearing grease & the bearing will last quite a long time. you will need to do it before it gets wet for the first time, otherwise corrosion will start to set in immediately. supercheap stores will stock this & its not expensive. cheers, miyagiman.

[Jamie]

did someone say to much time on your hands... nah thats a cool idea mitch. you have the technology to show your trees so now you need work your trees so you can show them i like the idea, where did you get the motor and gearbox? and hows is it powered? mains or car battery?

[Mitchell]

did someone say to much time on your hands... nah thats a cool idea mitch. you have the technology to show your trees so now you need work your trees so you can show them i like the idea, where did you get the motor and gearbox? and hows is it powered? mains or car battery?

LoL, fortunatley I am blessed with being rather good with my hands (when they are not shaking from my back injury). It only took me 20mins to build the control box and install the unit on the table.
"I hacked a rotisserie motor/gearbox" available once again at Buzzing for $35 or you can get the motor and gearbox from Jaycar electronics. It is powered by two d sized batteries, which could turn it for about 8 hours non stop.

That's what I thought too, wizz bang display, but nothing to display on it.... Did get this nice scene, this morning of the sun rising on a PJ. Just thought it looked nice, not a good plant though. Moss work looks great in the morning sun, the silvers really show up.

[sreeve]

Great idea Mitchell
Cheers
Steve