Nova bonsai garden

[markyscott]

Bench plans. These are sturdy, heavy benches - no danger of blowing over in the wind here. If you build them, do so where you want them as they are pretty difficult to move once they are fully constructed. Use deck screws so that you can take them apart at some point in the future. Expect costs in the $250 range for each bench, but you'll get a pretty massive amount of space for your trees. Each bench is 13'4" long (~4m) and 2'1" (~0.6m) wide. They can easily hold several hundred pounds without any problem.

 

[markyscott]

Apologizing in advance for the use of imperial units and for my lack of carpentry skills, here are the plans. For each bench, here's the cut list:
6 30" 6x6
3 30" 2x8
8 80" 2x6
2 144" 2x4
2 147" 2x4
10 21" 2x4
4 13 1/4" 2x4

Use treated lumber. I assume you have access to the standard lengths 8', 10', 12', 16'. Here's the stock list:
2 8' 6x6
1 8' 2x8
8 8' 2x6
2 12' 2x4
3 16' 2x4

You'll need 2 8' 6x6's and 1 8' 2x8. You'll make 3 cuts on each 6x6 and 2x8 and will end up with 6" of material remnant on each.


You'll need 8 8' 2x6's for the table tops. Each board will be cut to 6'8" (80") and you'll get 16" of material remnant on each board.


Trim the 2 12' 2x4's to 144". No material remnant.


Cut two of the 16' 2x4's as follows (3" material remnant).


All of the rest of the pieces come from the remaining 16' 2x4 with 13" wastage:

 

[markyscott]

First, prep your leg posts. I notched the 6x6 leg posts in two places to accept the 2x4 rails. One notch should be at the top of the 6x6 leg, the BOTTOM of the other notch should be 6" from the bottom of the 2x4 leg on the opposite side of the leg from the top notch. Like this:



Here are some pictures documenting how I cut the notches:

 

[markyscott]

In the end, you should get something like this:


Do all the legs at once, then make all the rails, then make all of the cross braces. Jumping back and forth between different parts leads to mistakes and wasted time (at least for me).

 

[Cajunrider]

In the end, you should get something like this:
View attachment 536626

Do all the legs at once, then make all the rails, then make all of the cross braces. Jumping back and forth between different parts leads to mistakes and wasted time (at least for me).
View attachment 536629

Thanks for the detailed plan.

 

[markyscott]

Then cut the 2x4's The 144" rails go on the inside of the legs near the base. The 147" rails go on the outside of the legs at the top.


Next, cut the cross braces. The 21" pieces go at the top, right below the table top. The 13 1/4" pieces go at the bottom.

 

[markyscott]

Cut the 2x8 feet at a 45 degree angle as shown. The long side should be 30" long.

 

[markyscott]

I find it easiest to build the two sides first and then add the cross braces. First, lay down three legs and place one of the 12' rails in the lower notch of all the legs. Secure it in place with 2 3" deck screws into each of the legs. Then stand it up as a unit and put the 147" rail in the top notch. The rail should extend 1 1/2" beyond the legs. Repeat for the other side.

 

[markyscott]

Install 2 of the 21" cross braces at either end. These should fit between 147" rails where they extend beyond the legs. I find that a clamp helps to secure the two sides in place while I screw in the cross braces. Like this:

 

[markyscott]

Install additional 21" cross braces around each of the 6x6 legs. There will be 4 21" cross braces left when you finish this step. This will add sufficient rigidity to do the next step.

 

[markyscott]

Now - carefully - flip the whole thing upside down. At this point, you can install the 13 1/4" braces. One goes on the inside of the two end legs and the remaining two go on either side of the center leg. Use 2 3" deck screws through the rail to secure them.

 

[markyscott]

Now, screw the feet to the bottom of the legs like this:

 

[markyscott]

Now, flip the bench back over (it's already pretty heavy at this point) and get it positioned exactly where you want it. You might want to get someone to help you move it, but it's much easier to do it now than after you get the top installed. Once it's over and in place you can install the rest of the top braces. They should be about 20" apart.

 

[markyscott]

Once that's done, you can use the 80" 2x6s to make the table top. Each 2x6 will be butted together in the center of the table and screwed down into the cross braces with 2 1/2" deck screws. Position the two outside 2x6's first, allowing 1/2" extension beyond the top rail. Screw the outside deck planks first, then position the inside ones. You'll end up with ~ a 1" gap between each 2x6. When it's done, you'll have a nice looking, secure bench. You never have to worry about the bench tipping over with all of your tree on it and there are plenty of ways to secure your trees to the benches. I'm sure that experienced carpenters can come up with a more efficient way of doing the same thing that I did - hopefully one will suggest some improvements for the next person who builds something like this!


I now have 10 benches in the full sun area with more in the high tunnel and under the shade structure. Hopefully that's enough for now!

- S

 

[vp999]

Wow..Thanks for taking the time to provide us with the blue print and detailed instructions...Now if you can convert the measurements into metric that would be great JK!

Looks like an awesome chill space with the hammock there and a few cold ones in the summer. Thanks again and I appreciate you greatly for the benches construction details.

 

[Maiden69]

First, prep your leg posts. I notched the 6x6 leg posts in two places to accept the 2x4 rails. One notch should be at the top of the 6x6 leg, the BOTTOM of the other notch should be 6" from the bottom of the 2x4 leg on the opposite side of the leg from the top notch. Like this:

View attachment 536618

Here are some pictures documenting how I cut the notches:
View attachment 536625View attachment 536624View attachment 536620View attachment 536621
View attachment 536623

You need a router with a 1/2" template bit. At this time I don't think DeWalt have full size XR or FLEX routers, but a decent 2 1/4" and one of this Router Bits will save you hours on a project like the one you just did on those benches. I am all for chisel work, but only on things that need extremely tight tolerances, and even then with the tight tolerances of todays tools, I can get almost the same fit with power tools.

 

[markyscott]

You need a router with a 1/2" template bit. At this time I don't think DeWalt have full size XR or FLEX routers, but a decent 2 1/4" and one of this Router Bits will save you hours on a project like the one you just did on those benches. I am all for chisel work, but only on things that need extremely tight tolerances, and even then with the tight tolerances of todays tools, I can get almost the same fit with power tools.

Good call! And a great excuse for buying more power tools!

Scott

 

[Maiden69]

Good call! And a great excuse for buying more power tools!

Scott

Just because you don't need more excuses... LOL, this guy have tons of videos on Instagram (I used to hate Instagram until I found a lot of wood working and welding people there). I used to do all the work with hand tools, lets say that after watching his videos my tool repertoire has increased exponentially.

Dusty Lumber Co - Suppliers of reclaimed barn-wood

Located in Alberta we are suppliers of reclaimed barn wood in Canada and the US. Our barn wood products are perfect for rustic interior design applications.

dustylumberco.com

 

[namnhi]

Once that's done, you can use the 80" 2x6s to make the table top. Each 2x6 will be butted together in the center of the table and screwed down into the cross braces with 2 1/2" deck screws. Position the two outside 2x6's first, allowing 1/2" extension beyond the top rail. Screw the outside deck planks first, then position the inside ones. You'll end up with ~ a 1" gap between each 2x6. When it's done, you'll have a nice looking, secure bench. You never have to worry about the bench tipping over with all of your tree on it and there are plenty of ways to secure your trees to the benches. I'm sure that experienced carpenters can come up with a more efficient way of doing the same thing that I did - hopefully one will suggest some improvements for the next person who builds something like this!
View attachment 536643

I now have 10 benches in the full sun area with more in the high tunnel and under the shade structure. Hopefully that's enough for now!

- S

I should have befriended you long before your move. I regret not joining HBS... maybe a few beers will get me a bench or two.

 

[R0b]

I now have 10 benches in the full sun area with more in the high tunnel and under the shade structure. Hopefully that's enough for now!

is it ever enough?