Making my own bonsai stand for patio, advice needed

[Kiani]

Making bonsai bench for patio, advice needed please

After getting bit by the bonsai bug, I really wish I had a garden, with a hose, more space, etc. I am renting an apartment with a pretty small patio on the fourth floor and it feels like my 5 bonsais are always in the way, so I thought why not go down to home depot and get some materials and make a nice stand for them on the weekend, instead of having them laying around on the floor.

I just sketched down some rough ideas on paper but I'd appreciate some advice from bonsai experts on what constitutes a good bonsai stand. Is it as simple as getting the wood and nails and viola, or are there other things I should be considering?

I was thinking of making something simple like this..

Thanks

 

[Klytus]

I would use screws,exterior screws coated in a green material.

 

[Kiani]

I was actually going to ask if I should use screws or nails. Green coated screws? Is that for rust prevention?

 

[Klytus]

Yes,for rust prevention.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedImages/articles/online_articles/2009-10-01/Deck-screws.jpg

Torx headed can look more interesting than the perhaps more usual Pozidrive or Philips.

Sometimes Deck Screws are the thing to buy.

 

[fore]

Kiani, I have a backyard with a hose, in the city/Chicago, and it's a pretty big yard; but I also long for just more space. This hobby can do crazy things to your head

I found this cool link to a stand. More complicated than what you prob. want, but maybe could use it as a guide:
http://www.bonsaiempire.com/miscellaneous/building-bench

 

[Klytus]

Here you go,for me they still look less like the more ubiquitous screwheads.

http://backacrehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/torx-screw-heads.jpg

 

[cmeg1]

Benches are cool.I think something like fore's would be more structuraly sound.You would not want it to weeble,wobble and fold on it's self from weight.If there is one thing I've learned ,it is to build things moderately attractive with a bit of integrity and you will be way happier and not look like you are in a rush.I wish I had pictures of my earlier attempts at structure's.They were hideous.The stuff I have now is ,at least,somewhat attractive and am more pleased with the hobby.Good luck,here is my stand I built.

 

[evmibo]

I'm in a similar situation (apartment). I built a small table last spring. I only have access to a couple pictures but maybe this will help paint a better picture for what you want. I used 1x2's for most of it, and 2x2's for the legs. Depending on how much money you want to invest into it I would recommend rust proof screws (be sure to predrill with smaller bit, size should be given on box of screws), waterproof wood glue (titebond2 or 3 - can't remember which), waterproof finishing if you want to keep it for a while, and quality wood. This, like many of my carpentry projects was a learning experience.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/EvaN8/patiotablefinal.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/EvaN8/patiotablefinal2.jpg

 

[Klytus]

It's true,my fathers precarious staging in my mothers greenhouse had given me severe cause for concern for many years,whilst he was in Hospital i took the opportunity to rip it out and fabricate extremely sturdy benches with fenceposts,decking,decking screws coachbolts and flanged bolt headed screws.

I had to design it to be taken apart after building and reconstructed easily within the confines of the greenhouse,it took three A4 sized scribbles to design!

 

[Ron Dennis]

Like your concept. I am always looking for a way to have more space also. Did you see the thread that ran recently?

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?7119-Bonsai-Table

I liked this idea also and am trying to figure out how to incorporate something similar to this or your idea on the side of my deck.

 

[berobinson82]

kiani,

In your drawing you have solid horizontal pieces of material. Just in case that was going to be your final design, I would remind you that water pools on flat surfaces which could be bad for your trees and the material they are sitting on. Most stands have horizontal slats. 2 cents.

 

[Kiani]

Thanks for all your help people. I have a good idea of what I want, it's pretty simple, I've just never mad anything like this before so it should be fun.

kiani,

In your drawing you have solid horizontal pieces of material. Just in case that was going to be your final design, I would remind you that water pools on flat surfaces which could be bad for your trees and the material they are sitting on. Most stands have horizontal slats. 2 cents.

Thanks for that, I re-sketched it with slats instead of a flat surface. I think I'll take this sketch with me to home depot on the weekend, as I'm not sure what materials I need. Hopefully they can help and point me in the right direction. I'll post pics of the finished bench

 

[berobinson82]

now we're talking! btw, what program are you using to make these plans?

 

[Ron Dennis]

Thanks for all your help people. I have a good idea of what I want, it's pretty simple, I've just never mad anything like this before so it should be fun.



Thanks for that, I re-sketched it with slats instead of a flat surface. I think I'll take this sketch with me to home depot on the weekend, as I'm not sure what materials I need. Hopefully they can help and point me in the right direction. I'll post pics of the finished bench

Like it. Keep up posted on the final build.

 

[Kiani]

now we're talking! btw, what program are you using to make these plans?

Thanks. Just using Photoshop CS5. Draw a a few straight lines, turn it in to a leg, and just make duplicates, same with slates, draw one and just copy paste it. Then fill in using whatever color you like.

 

[Kiani]

Like it. Keep up posted on the final build.

Will do.

I'm just trying to figure out what tools I should get. Do you guys think this electric saw will make this job easier, or should I just go with a regular old hand saw?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...&langId=-1&keyword=electric saw&storeId=10051

 

[Kiani]

Like it. Keep up posted on the final build.

Will do.

I'm just trying to figure out what tools I should get. Do you guys think this electric saw will make this job easier, or should I just go with a regular old hand saw?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...&langId=-1&keyword=electric saw&storeId=10051

 

[FrankP999]

You want a circular saw type of power saw not a chain saw like you showed. Something like these

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaqiz/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053 Be careful as these will hurt you if you are not careful to follow safety precautions.

Nice design !

 

[Klytus]

Hmm,chop saw or mitre chop saw?

Sometimes the supply stores have an attendant in the wood cutting section.

Me,i use an Irwin Pullsaw.

 

[berobinson82]

I would have the store cut it for me like Klytus mentioned. If you know the lengths you need, it won't take them long at all. Those 4x4s are going to be like butter for them on their vertical saw set up.