[Tutorial] How to build a timber bonsai bench

[greg27]

a) cut the back right leg, so it sits approx on the pavers that line the garden bed (green X)
b) move the back right post, to the right hand side (green arrow)
c) leave it as is, and put it elsewhere in the garden/driveway

How annoyance. If it were me I reckon I'd go for (a), just because it's the easiest. And could be fairly easily reversed in the future if you did want to move it elsewhere.

But if you have somewhere else to put it... go for (c) and build another one!

[BonsaiBobbie]

B) for me too.

It is a single cut. It will take 5 mins.

Btw Daniel, as you are in Sydney and to save yourself buying a heap of tools, there is a thing called the Inner West Tool library.

Less than $80 for a year, more tools than you’ll ever need and no need to worry about storage and maintenance. Quicker than going to Bunnies.

Not sure if there is anything in the East like it.

[legoman_iac]

Btw Daniel, as you are in Sydney and to save yourself buying a heap of tools, there is a thing called the Inner West Tool library.

Less than $80 for a year, more tools than you’ll ever need and no need to worry about storage and maintenance. Quicker than going to Bunnies.

Not sure if there is anything in the East like it.

Petersham is driving distance, and looks like a great library! However I have all I need, ie "paper clip and a rubber band" ... trying to stay within the MacGyver club! Haha. Thanks for sharing!

[greg27]

Quicker than going to Bunnies.

Sorry I don't understand this sentence. Trips to Bunnos must involve at least two hours, three random items you hadn't planned on buying and a sausage.

[BonsaiBobbie]

Other than the snags you can still do all that, just not walk out with a home in your wallet!

[legoman_iac]

Side note: the committee for "The expansion of the bonsai collection" has agreed, best to start a new secondary location ... as the bench was too big and chunky for where I currently have my "prized" collection. Yay, no need to cut or move legs!!!

[legoman_iac]

Joists installed, now rock solid! Also, in final location.

May eventually add a shelf below (though that area won't get much Sun) ... for now, need to choose a colour!

joists_and_all.jpg

[BonsaiBobbie]

I really like surfaces that you don’t need to ever stain / paint etc ever again.

But if I am doing to stain something I also love linseed oil.

Here I can’t remember which type is best for outdoors, raw (which takes a lot longer to dry between coats) or boiled (which has chemicals added to it and takes about 24 hours to dry).

You can still stain the wood.

You probably will need to do it annually with linseed oil, but the good thing is you won’t need much prep after the first year. Just wipe on.

1340BA30-0995-4870-B9F3-6BD1B41A7AD9.jpeg

Reclaimed scaffolding plank (radiata pine) used to make a bench and stained with three coats of boiled linseed oil.

[BonsaiBobbie]

Joists installed, now rock solid! Also, in final location.

May eventually add a shelf below (though that area won't get much Sun) ... for now, need to choose a colour!

joists_and_all.jpg

Looks good.

FWIW, it is more likely to collapse length ways. The only thing really stopping that at the moment is the two screws / nails down the very bottom, thanks to using one screw at each joint.

When you do you next bench, try to use at least two at each joint. Remember the timber will shrink when it ages, and the load going on will cause the problem.

[legoman_iac]

Ended up choosing to match the railings ... initial bonsai selection, might swap a few out. There's a bit more shade than they're used to, so may be to move the stand. Time and the bonsai will tell ...

Screenshot_20221015-175029_Gallery.jpg

[BonsaiBobbie]

Looks great. Very professional

[legoman_iac]

It's turned out better than I imagined. Couldn't have done it without all your help and inspiration. Thanks ausbonsai!!!

However, I had designed it to have bonsai underneath, on soil, but now that it's on the pavers, feel I should've lowered the bottom shelf.

Fear bench making/evolving will become a new hobby, like art, "never finished only abandoned", haha.

- Daniel

[melbrackstone]

Mr Fix-it on Gardening Australia goes into detail on making a bench to hold a polystyrene box, using recycled material.

Thought it might be of interest to those making benches.

https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RK2006V002S00 This is the link I'm using, it may or may not work. If not, just go to Iview and search for Mr Fix-it in Gardening Australia.

[hilbranao]

Just built a bonsai bench and work table. Could be some ideas that you can use.

H3 treated pine timber

90x45 bearers
140x45 H4 landscape for base
70x35 for joists.
Timber bench top is left over 285x45 Meranti


Connections using 90x45 joist hangers and bugle batten screws.

Built to the height at eye level.

Solid as.......

Took 4 afternoons x 3 hours

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[JimmyTheSkip]

I know its an older thread but just wanted to say thanks for all the great ideas!! The benches look amazing! Clearly I will need to learn how to woodwork as well as bonsai.

Does anyone just use shelves from the big green shed and if so does it work well enough?