New Bench Space

[Paradox]

Finally leveled the new benches today and can now decide which of my trees should grace the new area.

And yes the tree in the pic needs candle cutting, which it got after the picture was taken.

 

[sbarnhardt]

What did you make the benches out of??

 

[lordy]

the pine looks so lonely...Bring some company quick!!
I try to get my benches looking level, but I dont worry if they are off an inch or so over the length. It actually helps the pots drain (unless I have a couple with only center holes). But the gravel base is a nice feature. Good work!

 

[Paradox]

What did you make the benches out of??

They are Benchmaster benches.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/s?keyword=benchmaster

Very expensive to ship the tops (as much as the bench top itself costs), but I found a local supplier (THANK GOD) and I ordered the legs from Greenhousemegastore.com

@Lordy, they arent perfectly level but the best I could do considering. I just wanted to make sure the legs were all hitting the paving stones underneath them solidly so everything has proper support.

 

[edprocoat]

Are they stable, they look high compared to the width of the support legs.

ed

 

[jquast]

I bought two of these a few years back and really like them but the legs can be a bit wobbly for the height. I bought some pipe connectors from Home Depot and glued them in to increase the stability by connecting some of the legs to each other. This really improved the tables stability and I feel more safe with trees on them now.

 

[jkd2572]

Are these less expensive than making wood cedar benches?

 

[Paradox]

Are these less expensive than making wood cedar benches?

Not sure what a cedar bench would cost so I dont know. They are expensive if you have to have the top shipped to you. I found a local supplier so I didnt have to pay shipping. I just picked them up at their warehouse. These go together in 5 minutes and they are UV resistant plastic so no worries about rotting wood.

Good idea on the cross pieces. I might have to do that.

 

[Paradox]

Forgot to mention that the gravel base was more to keep the weed/grass growth down more than anything. I can imagine trying to mow,weedwack around those benches would be a pain in the arse.

Also, I know its not pretty or fancy but my yard is a dog run first so being functional and able to handle the dogs being around is key.

 

[DougB]

Here is the link to my source for benches, http://store.structuralplastics.com/. I really like mine as they are very sturdy, lower and shippable. The company has been reputable and prompt in their service.

 

[Paradox]

Here is the link to my source for benches, http://store.structuralplastics.com/. I really like mine as they are very sturdy, lower and shippable. The company has been reputable and prompt in their service.

May I ask what size and number you bought and what they charged you for shipping?

 

[Wee]

I love mine....I'm lucky that my Dad is as much of a pack rat as I am.....He found these in the dumpster behind Walmart....They all had a small crack or chip out of the plastic but nothing that couldn't be easily fixed....I made my own post out of PVC pipe....I did have to grind on the tops alitle to get the ends to fit.

Brian

 

[DougB]

May I ask what size and number you bought and what they charged you for shipping?

I purchased the Stepmaster single 18x16x66 (SM661801S) shipping $16.60 and
2 of the 18x16x36 (SM361801S) shipping $19.26.

Both are the grid tops. Shipping was by UPS. I am please with service and products.

 

[Paradox]

I purchased the Stepmaster single 18x16x66 (SM661801S) shipping $16.60 and
2 of the 18x16x36 (SM361801S) shipping $19.26.

Both are the grid tops. Shipping was by UPS. I am please with service and products.

Yea thats not terrible. I bought 2 96x24 tops. I didnt contact SP about the shipping, but if it is similar to what you paid it would have cost me about $200 with shipping just for the tops. At the other place, it would have cost $400 for the tops, legs and shipping combined. I found a local supplier and while I paid a bit more per top (about $60) but I didnt have to pay for shipping. I bought the legs at GMS and saved $40 over the cost off the local supplier.

 

[sbarnhardt]

I bought two of these a few years back and really like them but the legs can be a bit wobbly for the height. I bought some pipe connectors from Home Depot and glued them in to increase the stability by connecting some of the legs to each other. This really improved the tables stability and I feel more safe with trees on them now.

Are the legs that come from Benchmaster a size (OD) that corresponds to a readily available PVC pipe size that can be bought at Home Depot/Lowes?? I'm thinking it would be a lot cheaper to buy a length/lengths of PVC and cut your own. What OD size are they so I can compare pipe cost to buy and cut.

 

[Skinnygoomba]

This has been a topic for me as well, since my bonsai have now overrun my dining table. I will be building some Shoki dovetail benches, in the style of Nakashima, in various heights and lengths to accommodate my growing addiction to bonsai (and satisfy my life long addiction to woodworking)

 

[Paradox]

Are the legs that come from Benchmaster a size (OD) that corresponds to a readily available PVC pipe size that can be bought at Home Depot/Lowes?? I'm thinking it would be a lot cheaper to buy a length/lengths of PVC and cut your own. What OD size are they so I can compare pipe cost to buy and cut.

I will try to remember to get a caliper on them and let you know if Wee doesnt chime in with the PVC size he bought. I'm thinking it is 2" but I am not sure.