AusBonsai

Does anybody know how to make these? has anybody used them? how long do they last? etc, all information appreciated.

Paddles, I remember reading an article a few years back where chicken wire was used to make the shape and then gauze coated with fibreglass layer after layer. The final layer was coated with grit to capture the texture. Drainage holes were made at the start of the process. Google might bring it up for you.

Ash

I would imagine you need to build atleast a frame work of what you intend to mold. This is the frame I made, out of coat hangers and mesh.
You then need to buy epoxy resin and bandage from somewhere like Buzzings. Once the resin and bandage are set you can sand it smooth. I believe they would last almost forever, obviously with due care.

im interested in something like this myself. i would love to see some progress pics of how one puts something like this together, i havent tried it yet as i haven been able to get materials that i need.


jamie

I have a nieghbour who makes kayaks? and works with fibreglass all the time. the question is if I can persuade him to make me one

Can you Papier-mâché?

Then you can fibre glass. Just lay the strips of matting down, coat them both sides with resin,then lay on the frame, that easy.

fibreglass is realy easy i have shaped surfboards and done all my own repairs you dont need epoxy resin its to hard to work with just plain old polyester is fine its actually better as epoxy isnt sun safe papermash would be easy just lay it all up wait till it dries then getsome fibreglass mix it up and paint a coat on then dip the cloth in the resin till it becomes clear then lay it over let this dry then once its strong enough just a couple of coats of resin to seal it well only problem is it will cost about $50-60 from bunnings for the gear
warning dont use polystyrene foam as the fibreglass will eat straight through it youl need a surfboard style foam if thats the way you want to go i have just made one from clay and am about to get it fired clay $12 firing $12 easy as

paddles wrote:I have a nieghbour who makes kayaks? and works with fibreglass all the time. the question is if I can persuade him to make me one

Make him an offer he cant refuse

Hi Paddles, do you mean anything like this.

they are brilliant alan i am sure thats exactly what paddles is talknig bout!! i especially like the first one are these the cement fondue ones i seen while searching the forums? do you sell these at all? have you found that this sort o pot can only be made decent ant a certain size, as in a chihun size or bigger or would it be possible to make shohin and mame size pots aswell?


jamie

Hi Jamie,

I have found that the only thing stopping you making any pot is your imagination.!!!!!!!!!!!!

One has just been constructed in the form of a big slab with 2 separate planting areas. Twin aluminium spines along it's length with cross braces has made it easy to lift without sagging or twisting even when its full off soil and trees. It's almost 1 mtre long.
Paddles would have no trouble making what he wants so long as he braces it down at the most weakest point. Ali box tube, angle, tube or old shelving uprights are ideal. Seems like he has the right idea with the chook wire.
I have recently used the new Pyrocrete but I prefer the old Cement Fondue myself.
Fibre glass resin would give a quicker build though but shallow breathing would be advised. !!!!!!!!!

thanks mate

i have been thinking about trying it myself i just havent gotten around to it, i need to get my hands on some cement fondue or pyrocrete, would the hardware stroes stock this? also maller sizes harder to build? you talked about larger slabs and the likes i am thinking bout smaller shohin and mame size as these are the tree sizes i create.

jamie

Jamie,
I made a sowie pot with a bit I had left over so you can go as small as you like.
I have just run a talk night at the club and sold 6 kits that I had made up.
Pyrocrete can be bought from NSW Pottery Supplies Arthur st, $5 kilo.
Dynal cloth $14.50 mtre, or fibreglass cloth from any boating supplies.
Chook wire from big hardware.
The method I use, I've already posted.