AusBonsai

I've been working for a while on a new display table/stand.
This is a picture of it just a couple of days ago at the end of the build. Since then I've stained and varnished it today and will post another shot soon of the finished job.

I took regular photos during the build and posted them in a series of posts on my blog if anyone is interested.

http://bonsaipotterycoy.blogspot.com.au ... ion-1.html

Cheers,
HP

solid --and nice finish----should be able to show off a pretty hefty bonsai

very nice mate, very nice.

Here's the table all finished. I wanted a dark colour but not too red so stained it with a Cabot's Wallnut stain (two coats) and then finished with a spraycan of polyurethane.
The finishing is always difficult as it shows up any small imperfection - like sanding marks agians the grain etc.
I like the satin polyurethane for a finish - nice and uniform and satin and also it is a good hard durable surface.
With a stain and p'urethane you still get to see the grain of the timber vs the stain/varnish finishes. These are more like a paint and when applied, basically covering over everything and you'd never know what the timber was.
The next time you see this it will be at the Gold Coast in August; hopefully.
Cheers

Looks great HP.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

Nice table
I have been watching this on your blog and great work.

What do you use to do the mitres?

Ken

Thanks Ken,
I cut the mitres on a bandsaw with about half to 1 mm to spare and then finish them using a table mounted router and 45 degree guide. This make a nice straight, flat, smooth and accurate surface. If the mitres are cut and prepared well everything goes together well, (but not necessarily easily!).
Cheers,
Steve

I love the style. I feel in my humble opinion that it would look only slightly better in a darker stain, but I still like it a lot.

G'Day Steve,
Nice job mate..Will we see it displayed at the AABC on the Gold Coast August?
If so, Lilly Pilly or Ficus?
Cheers.............Brian Bishop
PS. How is it going by the way?... I've got a couple of trees accepted for the convention and am having a fun time trying to keep them looking lush and presentable, especially during these winter months.

Thanks Brian and yes good guess; the lillp pilly I think.
I'm struggling with the cold too but every afternoon lift the trees in under overhead protection. I've been doing this for 3 weeks already and think it makes a difference.
Check this out:
http://bonsaipotterycoy.blogspot.com.au ... -moon.html
I have thought of building a temporary plastic enclosure but unless you heat it at night it might not help.
The other trick is a spray with white oil the day before to restore a little lustre to the leaves.
Cheers,
Steve

G'day Steve, Looks great, you've spent a lot of time and effort to get this right. I applaud your use of the stain first and poly on top method, gives a really good result. I too like the satin finish in the poly and find this more durable than any thing else. Sorry I have not been following your blog, what timber did you make it out of? Maybe we will catch up at the coast, I too will have a table for the display that I have made, not too dissimilar to yours. All the best, Michael.

Hi Michael and thanks. The timber I used was the Red Oak from Masters. It really is an oak species imported from the US. I really liked the grain and it works just like Tassie Oak (eucalyptus), hard and keeps a good edge. Here's a detailed picture to show the grain. The wallnut stain has both dark black/brown tints as well as a little red. I like the combination - it ends up looking quite aged.
So now you've wet our interest let's see yours. See you at the coast and we can compare carpentry notes.
Cheers,
Steve

Quality Steve.
Love that last shot.

Hey Steve, Thanks for the close up, looks even better, quality job there. Yes definitely an Oak with that grain. As to showing my efforts, I am still learning how to do this posting stuff so you might have to wait a couple of weeks and see it in the wood so to speak. Once again stirling job mate, there was definitely a couple of hours work there! Cheers, Michael.

Great work. Love the grain effect.