Non Bonsai tools and stuff for Bonsai

[WinstonWolfe]

You guys have it lucky . Has to do with electrical standards . Ground wire in Canada is multi strand . I use it as it’s still a good deal but it’s 7 strand . On the subject of wire I’ve experimented with inserting annealed copper inside plastic and or rubber tubing . For increased bark protection. . Inconclusive so far but has merit . Recommend stretch the wire straight and use dish soap and water as a lube if you want to try it . My interest in prunus is the drive

I use 8 gauge, but 4 is readily available. I just don't have any trees that need that level of strength. It's like trying to bend rebar

 

[Lorax7]

I use 8 gauge, but 4 is readily available. I just don't have any trees that need that level of strength. It's like trying to bend rebar

Speaking of rebar, it is another of the non-bonsai tools for bonsai. Need an anchor point for a big bend? Pound a piece of rebar into the rootball and use it as your anchor point. Requires some thought about how it is positioned so the forces are applied in the right directions, but when it's done right, it provides a stable anchor point that lets you keep your guy wires in place for a long time, even through repotting, to set bends that take a long time to set.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I like tin snips for cutting down nursery pots. You can use to trim up some roots too.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Speaking of rebar, it is another of the non-bonsai tools for bonsai. Need an anchor point for a big bend? Pound a piece of rebar into the rootball and use it as your anchor point. Requires some thought about how it is positioned so the forces are applied in the right directions, but when it's done right, it provides a stable anchor point that lets you keep your guy wires in place for a long time, even through repotting, to set bends that take a long time to set.

Lots of info of Japanese masters using rebar . Also makes a good lever . Wire it to a branch . I slowly bend the branch . Your idea of using it in the rootball is also known to add iron . To the roots when watering .

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Black and decker work branch great tool
. It’s 2 main abilities are great for bonsai . Portable . Take it to the garden and work in the sunshine . It’s vise like clamp ability . To securely hold trees or stuff at different angles . I primarily use mine as a base . For several table tops I gave created . For example I have a Shallow/
Rubber/ plastic tray with a piece of wood screwed lengthwise under the Center clamped in the bench it’s a repotting bench . A similar plywood top with a turntable attached .is a great option . I added a garage sale bar stool and I have a easy to store work station right in the garden amongst your trees

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

My Supercheap Auto (automotive products franchise) swivel stool.
When im not using it to work on my bike or car, its my turntable for my trees.
Ive got to place a stiff board on the seat first, so its more stable...but it works like a charm.
One thing i do have to watch though, when i use the lift tab i've got to be really careful (its sensitive)...otherwise, the damn thing will fire my smaller bonsai half way across the yard (yeah, it happened hahaha).

 

[ABCarve]

 

[Frozentreehugger]

View attachment 460266

I have a couple of permanent handle flex cut Carvers . Very good quality . There is a interesting company started here in Ottawa . Canada . Called Lee Valley Tools second generation family business . Supplier manufacturer mail order house . Of the tools and equipment for the original couples . Main hobbies . Gardening woodworking and cooking . From around the world . They tend to offer higher quality versions of simple tools . There hand wood carving tools . And sharpening systems . Stand out for the bonsai student . But there is a great deal more check them out you will not be disappointed

 

[ABCarve]

I have a couple of permanent handle flex cut Carvers . Very good quality . There is a interesting company started here in Ottawa . Canada . Called Lee Valley Tools second generation family business . Supplier manufacturer mail order house . Of the tools and equipment for the original couples . Main hobbies . Gardening woodworking and cooking . From around the world . They tend to offer higher quality versions of simple tools . There hand wood carving tools . And sharpening systems . Stand out for the bonsai student . But there is a great deal more check them out you will not be disappointed

Yep, I’m quite familiar with Lee Valley. I like the interchangeable version of the tool as they can be used in conjunction with a reciprocating power carver. Their knives work well for grafting also.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Yep, I’m quite familiar with Lee Valley. I like the interchangeable version of the tool as they can be used in conjunction with a reciprocating power carver. Their knives work well for grafting also.

Thanks for the info on power carver did not know that . On that subject how do you like the power carver . Been thinking about them but have no experience with one or how useful it would be . Basically I have a cheap rotary shaft carver . And thinking of getting a quality one . Should I upgrade to the one that will convert to a power carver . You know wish list

 

[ABCarve]

As a user and former dealer of Foredom products I only have great thing to say about them. I've used them for over 40 years. I have 3 different models in my studio and use them almost every day for one thing or another, including bonsai. Foredom does make a reciprocating handpiece to allow for the use of edge tools, although it doesn't impress me for being very "heavy duty". What do you want to do if you got one? I mostly use rotary functions for my bonsai work. I use edge tools mostly for hollowing and cleaning up wounds for better healing. I have used the Skil power carver shown below to plane off the bottom of root balls to make them shallower. It's a powerful heavy duty tool that was originally sold as a power scraper/putty knife. Flexcut made an adapter for it to allow their edge tools to be used with it. That power tool was discontinued by Skil in 2005. Mine is still chugging along. I would highly recommend a Foredom TX variable speed flexshaft if you can afford it. It has a brushless motor with amazing power at very low RPMs (500) which can be very handy at times.

 

[Maiden69]

For heavy bends, I have used copper electrical grounding cable. Its non-annealed, so very stiff. You can get much greater holding power with smaller gauge.
That being said, be prepared to fight when it comes time to remove. Usually cutting it off is better for the tree than trying to remove in one piece.

In reality you get the same holding power, you're just working harder. Been there myself, which is why I anneal it when I need it. The annealed copper work hardens as you bend and twist it. Even uncoiling it starts to harden it.


@ABCarve have you seen the Ryiobi DC500k? I don't know if it would be as strong as the Skill... there are quite a few other "imitations" on Amazon. I saw Ryan using the chisel adapter for the Foredom in a stream on a Chinese Quince... worked, but it was struggling. He did point out that Chinese quince was extremely hard to carve.

USB LITHIUM POWER CARVER KIT

The RYOBI USB Lithium Power Carver is the industry's first cordless power carver. This carver allows for controlled carving with a 1mm stroke length and...

www.ryobitools.com

There is also this beast from Arbortech...

ARBORTECH Electric Chisel Kit | Arbortech Tools US | Arbortech

Shop the Electric Power Chisel Kit with 7 Chisels along with more truly unique quality Power Carving Tools & Accessories for Angle Grinder at arbortechtools.com

www.arbortechtools.com

 

[ABCarve]

In reality you get the same holding power, you're just working harder. Been there myself, which is why I anneal it when I need it. The annealed copper work hardens as you bend and twist it. Even uncoiling it starts to harden it.


@ABCarve have you seen the Ryiobi DC500k? I don't know if it would be as strong as the Skill... there are quite a few other "imitations" on Amazon. I saw Ryan using the chisel adapter for the Foredom in a stream on a Chinese Quince... worked, but it was struggling. He did point out that Chinese quince was extremely hard to carve.

USB LITHIUM POWER CARVER KIT

The RYOBI USB Lithium Power Carver is the industry's first cordless power carver. This carver allows for controlled carving with a 1mm stroke length and...

www.ryobitools.com

There is also this beast from Arbortech...

ARBORTECH Electric Chisel Kit | Arbortech Tools US | Arbortech

Shop the Electric Power Chisel Kit with 7 Chisels along with more truly unique quality Power Carving Tools & Accessories for Angle Grinder at arbortechtools.com

www.arbortechtools.com

The mechanism that both the Ryobi and Foredom use for turning rotary into reciprocating motion is quite similar and not intended for heavy or extended periods of work. They both do light duty moderately well. I am familiar with all the manufacturers of manual and power carving as I was "in the business". They all have their place in the market. I've chosen mine for the process' that I regularly do. Too many people are swayed by fancy demonstrations and shiny new stuff. I can say that because I'm no longer "in the business". Choose your tools based on how often you think you'll use it. I'll buy stuff from Harbor Freight cause I know I'll only use it once a year.

 

[The Warm Canuck]

I have a couple of permanent handle flex cut Carvers . Very good quality . There is a interesting company started here in Ottawa . Canada . Called Lee Valley Tools second generation family business . Supplier manufacturer mail order house . Of the tools and equipment for the original couples . Main hobbies . Gardening woodworking and cooking . From around the world . They tend to offer higher quality versions of simple tools . There hand wood carving tools . And sharpening systems . Stand out for the bonsai student . But there is a great deal more check them out you will not be disappointed

I love Lee Valley! They have a great selection of quality stuff.

 

[Rivka]

Nothing is so appreciated when I need to cut down some crazy thick nursery tree pot, like my Nibbler!
The make handopperated ones, but I have never used them. My power one is a monster of the best kind. It's great because it can simply go around the outside of the pot, even below the soil line, doesn't disturb anything inside and cuts a beautiful straight or curved edge that you can then just slip off the cut part.

.

 

[TwilightTrees]

Any reason your using fluorocarbon fishing line instead of nylon ? does it last longer ?

Dont use fluorocarbon, because it don't break down naturally in the environment. So if you loose pieces in your garden it will stay there almost forever, compared to monofilament (normal fishing line) which breakdown down slowly over many years if exposed to sun. Fluorocarbon is slightly stronger, but u can just buy a thinker normal fishing line, that will also be a fraction of the exspensive cost of fluorecarbon.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Nothing is so appreciated when I need to cut down some crazy thick nursery tree pot, like my Nibbler!
The make handopperated ones, but I have never used them. My power one is a monster of the best kind. It's great because it can simply go around the outside of the pot, even below the soil line, doesn't disturb anything inside and cuts a beautiful straight or curved edge that you can then just slip off the cut part.

View attachment 464514.

Those are real nice . Takes me back to my snowmobile and stock car racing days . Decent pair of hand operated compound leverage metal snips . Are a good alternative . The long time much copied standard . Us made by the Wiss company . But that power nimbler is sweet

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Early Xmas present to my self . Pic is the latest model out . I got a smoking deal on the one it replaced 1/2 price . It’s a rotary hammer drill . That takes special slotted SDS plus . Universal bits . If you have ever used a hammer drill . That’s a toy compared to this . Main purpose of a rotary hammer is to drill reinforced concrete . Reason is drill modify natural rock. As bonsai pots . And ROR. Plantings . Where I live in Ontario . There are no mountains . But the Canadian Shield . Large areas of outcrops of rock . Mostly hard granite . Create wild collectable trees often in a rock pocket . The cordless ability supplies the ability to modify enlarge the pocket . For delicate extraction and or pre prep of trees with growing medium . For future collection and cutting of roots extending into cracks . The modification to the natural environment . Is something each had to deal with personality

 

[Maiden69]

This is my latest addition of non-bonsai tools...

 

[Frozentreehugger]

This is my latest addition of non-bonsai tools...

View attachment 464552

For delicate pruning