Budget bonsai bench inspiration mom sent me.

[Trenthany]

These were something my mom found and after a little googling they’re typically glued with construction adhesives. I was ordering what everyone thought as I have ready access to block and landscape timbers as the boss is about to buy a hundred plus blocks and a bunch of landscape timbers. Is it atrocious? Bad idea for some reason I haven’t foreseen? Free benches except glue that aren’t hideous (at least to my eye) sounds pretty good but wanted other input.

 

[sorce]

"have a seat, don't lean back though!" Lol!

I hope they are glueing them at least! Ok I read it.

Nice.

Sorce

 

[Crawforde]

Why not mortar?
It might be cheaper than adhesive and may survive the Florida sun, heat, and moisture better.

 

[Trenthany]

Why not mortar?
It might be cheaper than adhesive and may survive the Florida sun, heat, and moisture better.

Mortar is definitely an option as it too can be considered “adhesive”, I think it’s intended for Suzy housewife(male or female) that probably isn’t up to buying tools, mixing mortar, spreading it and then laying the block appropriately. This is more like those HGTV show projects. Lmao. Me I’d probably mortar it. Functionally and aesthetically passable you think?

 

[DrBonsai]

If you are not looking to make a bench for sitting, just flat shelves for plants, I don't think glue or mortar is even necessary.
The weight of the blocks and wood would be enough to keep the bench from moving anywhere. Living in Chicago area, I take my bench
and shelves apart and move them into garage to Winter my plants.
I also made shelves from 2 x 4's or 2 x 2, so they would be a little easier to move instead of the heavy landscape timbers.
You can stain and waterproof the outdoor timber if so desired.
I also used "Split Face Corner Block " that come in different colors to make the appearance a little more finished.

 

[Michael P]

All my benches are concrete blocks and 2x6 treated pine lumber. No adhesive or mortar, just stack them up.

 

[Adair M]

Here is one of my benches made from landscape wall bricks and 4x6 posts.

I think the wall bricks look better than concrete blocks, don’t need mortar or glue (although you can glue them if you want), can be disassembled and moved, I can easily add more, or take some away to change height. The 4x6 posts won’t sag, although they can warp (twist).

 

[Trenthany]

If you are not looking to make a bench for sitting, just flat shelves for plants, I don't think glue or mortar is even necessary.
The weight of the blocks and wood would be enough to keep the bench from moving anywhere. Living in Chicago area, I take my bench
and shelves apart and move them into garage to Winter my plants.
I also made shelves from 2 x 4's or 2 x 2, so they would be a little easier to move instead of the heavy landscape timbers.
You can stain and waterproof the outdoor timber if so desired.
I also used "Split Face Corner Block " that come in different colors to make the appearance a little more finished.View attachment 315670

Good tips! I’m in FL, I don’t think I need to worry a out moving them, but until my location is 100% established in the yard I will probably not finalize with any adhesive. This blocks definitely look spiffier I’ll look into those. I don’t think I’ve seen them!

 

[Trenthany]

Here is one of my benches made from landscape wall bricks and 4x6 posts.

I think the wall bricks look better than concrete blocks, don’t need mortar or glue (although you can glue them if you want), can be disassembled and moved, I can easily add more, or take some away to change height. The 4x6 posts won’t sag, although they can warp (twist).

View attachment 315677

This is an option as well. Supposed to be for patio buuuuut now I’m rethinking lol.

 

[AZbonsai]

I paint my block and Johnson Waterseal the boards.

 

[Trenthany]

I paint my block and Johnson Waterseal the boards.
View attachment 315694

Painted looks good!

 

[WavyGaby]

I paint my block and Johnson Waterseal the boards.
View attachment 315694

Very nice. What are you using for the ground cover?

 

[AZbonsai]

Very nice. What are you using for the ground cover?

A cement slab. This is where the RV is parked for normal people.

 

[rockm]

Been using cinder blocks like this for years. Problems can show up if you have very large bonsai (50 to over 100 lbs), as taller stacks of cinder blocks with a heavy tree on top can fall over if you're not attentive. Landscape timbers can also have uneven sides that can put bonsai pots on surfaces, which can cause drainage issues...I typically use a level on the pot lip when I put them out on benches. Watering unlevel bonsai, can make water pool in the corners of pots and rot roots over the summer...

 

[WavyGaby]

A cement slab. This is where the RV is parked for normal people.

Sorry, I guess I need to stop viewing pictures from the phone, lol. Now, on the computer, I can clearly see it. I thought it might be a rubber pad initially.

 

[sorce]

rethinking

I'd leave it just like that, except let more moss grow on it.

That looks dope.

Sorce

 

[ghues]

As furniture, they look uncomfortable. For Bonsai bench they work well and you can have additional shelving.