I built my first bench

parhamr · Jun 15, 2020

Ohhhkay the fence was finished June 1 but I still need to complete the gates. I’ve had a busy few months in quarantine — I work for a medical device manufacturer.

Some time this summer I’ll give the fence two coats of a clear sealant.

I was pleased to be able to wrap the grain around the mitered corners

We will be replacing all of the grass in our yard. The interior of the fence will be coarse, crushed gravel and the rest of the yard will be bark, shrubbery, and small boulders. I’ve moved my more finished trees into the bonsai garden to get more sun.

I think I’ll likely reduce the height of these benches, build some new ones, and make a few pedestals.

Johnathan · Jun 15, 2020

Good job! Looks really nice!

Arizona bonsai · Jun 15, 2020

Love your yard, thanks for the medical supplies that we all need.

River's Edge · Jun 16, 2020

parhamr said:
Ohhhkay the fence was finished June 1 but I still need to complete the gates. I’ve had a busy few months in quarantine — I work for a medical device manufacturer.

View attachment 309437

Some time this summer I’ll give the fence two coats of a clear sealant.

View attachment 309440
I was pleased to be able to wrap the grain around the mitered corners

View attachment 309438
We will be replacing all of the grass in our yard. The interior of the fence will be coarse, crushed gravel and the rest of the yard will be bark, shrubbery, and small boulders. I’ve moved my more finished trees into the bonsai garden to get more sun.

View attachment 309439

I think I’ll likely reduce the height of these benches, build some new ones, and make a few pedestals.

You have a busy summer ahead! Nice progress!

parhamr · Jun 22, 2020

I’ve also set up some of my finer deciduous trees

Today we started the long process of digging up some grass. On the upcoming holiday weekend I am likely to rent some machinery to expedite this.

Hartinez · Jun 22, 2020

Looking really great Reid! Great to see a post from you.

Tieball · Jun 24, 2020

parhamr said:
I’ve also set up some of my finer deciduous trees
View attachment 311070

Today we started the long process of digging up some grass. On the upcoming holiday weekend I am likely to rent some machinery to expedite this.

I like the ample air flow you’ve created with those 4x4s. Nicely done...Mighty fine!

parhamr · Feb 10, 2021

Work in progress on a new 4' x 8' heat bed with 420 watts of heating mats.

ysrgrathe · Feb 10, 2021

parhamr said:
Work in progress on a new 4' x 8' heat bed with 420 watts of heating mats.

4 x 20W maybe? Have you had any luck with those mats? I feel like they only last 1-2 seasons for me.

JesusFreak · Feb 10, 2021

Man you’ve really went all in. Impressive

River's Edge · Feb 10, 2021

parhamr said:
Work in progress on a new 4' x 8' heat bed with 420 watts of heating mats.

View attachment 353468

Hi Reid, perhaps you have already considered this step. I like to drill holes for the cords to exit so they lay flat and do not kink where they connect to the heat mat! Just feels it saves on wear and tear at that point! Simple to put a cork in the hole after threading the wire connection through and this allows for removal when replacement is needed! Saves lifting the frame and or having the frame place pressure on the electrical cord.

parhamr · Feb 10, 2021

ysrgrathe said:
4 x 20W maybe? Have you had any luck with those mats? I feel like they only last 1-2 seasons for me.

4 x 105 watts
They were inexpensive and I’m not expecting much from them. Mirai has tested the mats versus heating cables (like for roofs) and found the cables more reliable and durable.

River's Edge said:
Hi Reid, perhaps you have already considered this step. I like to drill holes for the cords to exit so they lay flat and do not kink where they connect to the heat mat! Just feels it saves on wear and tear at that point! Simple to put a cork in the hole after threading the wire connection through and this allows for removal when replacement is needed! Saves lifting the frame and or having the frame place pressure on the electrical cord.

Thanks! I was noticing that needed a fix.

parhamr · Feb 11, 2021

Okay my more tender plants are heeled into pumice on top of the heat bed. Today the freeze will start and then, after the storm, I’ll be using the bed for post-repot health.

Trees include:

Hemlock (mountain and western)
Oak
JBP
Shohin
Elm
Cypress
Engelmann spruce
Juniper (to boost some root growth)

Drew · Feb 11, 2021

nice. It looks alot bigger in the outside picture. How have you plugged all the mats into power?

parhamr · Feb 11, 2021

Drew said:
nice. It looks alot bigger in the outside picture. How have you plugged all the mats into power?

Very carefully

I have a GFCI circuit, 8 AWG extension cord, and I’ve both positioned and wrapped the connectors to keep them dry.

parhamr · May 1, 2023

I’ve made two more benches, this time more wide, less tall, and a touch less complicated. I also used an uncolored waterproofing treatment on the tops. The materials are embarrassingly expensive, now — at least twice what the original bench series had cost

The prior benches are now six years old and seem to be doing well. Only one of the 2x12 tops shows some rot, which I think is the happenstance of a section of weaker heartwood that was underneath some of the most water-hungry plants. I’ve moved the benches around a lot and their joints are all holding well, even when turned and rolled and scooted around. Not a single board or connector has been replaced.

I built my first bench

parhamr

Omono

Johnathan

Omono

Arizona bonsai

Shohin

River's Edge

Masterpiece

parhamr

Omono

Hartinez

Masterpiece

Tieball

Masterpiece

parhamr

Omono

ysrgrathe

Shohin

JesusFreak

Shohin

River's Edge

Masterpiece

parhamr

Omono

parhamr

Omono

Drew

Shohin

parhamr

Omono

parhamr

Omono

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