Creating Bonsai Shelving and Benches

[sorce]

rock gravel

You know...
They're always giving free ground cover on craigslist.

Just this now.
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/zip/5411316169.html

Sorce

 

[wireme]

They have 3, 4 and 6 step 'stringers' at Home Depot and Lowes. Good luck. Keep us posted with the progress of your new Bonsai area.

To add to the stringer topic, of course someone can cut their own if they have the wood and a few tools. Rise, run and number of steps can be customized.
A quicky mini demo here, a framing square to layout, pick your rise and run numbers and place them on the board edge, be careful to always use the same side of the square, ie outside edge both ways. Trace along the square, move down with the same numbers on the edge again, repeat till you've marked all your steps and cut'er out! Use the square again for the right angles at the top and bottom. Handsaw or chisel to finish the inside corners, once one is made it can be a jig for others.

 

[lieuz]

@wireme you certainly made it look really simple . Thank you for that quick demo. I do like how your stringer is thicker than the norm it seems. Just noticed that's snow in the backdrop, bless you for enduring the cold to bring us this.

 

[lieuz]

@sorce it's funny because I was right out in that area last night. I was literally right next to that neighborhood. I might have to contact this person; however, we're supposed to get 2 feet of snow dumped on us.

 

[michaelj]

There are the three kinds of benches I use:

http://www.bonsaidilettante.com/2014/02/on-the-importance-of-your-bench.html

All relatively inexpensive. The blocks are a buck. The planks are maybe $6 or $7 each. The first one was a little more - I used a circular saw to cut a 2" 12" x 10', if I recall correctly, into the two diagonal pieces, patterned after the very expensive ($20 each) stair bases

 

[JoeR]

There are the three kinds of benches I use:

http://www.bonsaidilettante.com/2014/02/on-the-importance-of-your-bench.html

All relatively inexpensive. The blocks are a buck. The planks are maybe $6 or $7 each. The first one was a little more - I used a circular saw to cut a 2" 12" x 10', if I recall correctly, into the two diagonal pieces, patterned after the very expensive ($20 each) stair bases

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They are so low to the ground though!

 

[michaelj]

I live in earthquake territory. The higher they are, the harder they fall. If you want them higher, add a row or two of additional blocks.

 

[JoeR]

I live in earthquake territory. The higher they are, the harder they fall. If you want them higher, add a row or two of additional blocks.

Oh, I didnt think of that as it isnt a huge threat here.

 

[lieuz]

@JoeR man after that earthquake we had a while back, we are reclassified as earthquake prone area now. Especially you @JoeR, and VA.

 

[fredman]

Slapped my first bonsai benches together a few weeks ago. Used whatever I had lying around. What you think...?

 

[sorce]

What you think...?

I think you should throw that maple up on the shed. Tied down of course.

Nice!

Sorce

 

[LanceMac10]

Slapped my first bonsai benches together a few weeks ago. Used whatever I had lying around. What you think...?
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Nice little spot. With plenty of material. Seems to help the health of all your trees when all you have time to do is water and fertilize!!
Just don't let me catch you using a cooler for a bench, should be some beer, wine and cheese with some cold cuts in there....
Picture of were you sit?

 

[GrimLore]

What you think...?

Cool! I would suggest trenching out a little under the fence for air circulation and drainage. I have had some bad experience when we first moved in and have since corrected it.

Grimmy

 

[LanceMac10]

lieuz your back yard looks really intimate....but leave some room for the grill!!!!!!!!!!!!

fast forward 5 years and his "intimate" spot has become "over-run"......

 

[fredman]

Picture of were you sit?

There you go Lance. That's where world peace amongst other things are contemplated...
Please note the spiderweb remover in the tree...

I would suggest trenching out a little under the fence for air circulation and drainage

Yeah its a bit over crowded to. I just can get myself so far as to remove some of them....
Lucky or unlucky for me I live in the most windy city in the world. Man the wind CAN blow here. I'm constantly looking for some less circulation... The spot is well protected from the Northerlies that blows now. In winter its the Southerlies.. then I take them all into the cold frame.
As for drainage, the whole area here is an ancient riverbed. Top soil only about 8 inches, then I hit river stones. Rain or water runs right through...
Most trees here have a flat root system because of the little topsoil. Here is a pic of one that blew over next door...

 

[fredman]

I think you should throw that maple up on the shed. Tied down of course.

Uh Uh...got a plan with that...I think

 

[lieuz]

@LanceMac10 You're right about that intimacy. Don't worry brother, that grill is going on the deck, that I need to change the planks on. Haha.

 

[sorce]

@lieuz

Is that your real name?

I had an add pop up on my photo editor.
Thought it was you for a second!


Ask me what I was doing a minute before this screenshot! Hehehehehebebebehde!

Sorce

 

[lieuz]

@sorce LOL!! What were you doing a minute before this screen shot?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Slapped my first bonsai benches together a few weeks ago. Used whatever I had lying around. What you think...?

I give you bonus points for fun and comfort and aesthetics. I take away points for stability Those bricks stacked up on an inverted clay pot would give me nightmares