terry
Yamadori
I need to come up with some ideas for new stands/benches for some of my trees. How about some ideas and pictures of what you all use.
Stands and Benches
- Thread starter terry
- Start date
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Mine are simple, 4x4 or 6x6 posts, 2x4 bases, with 2x2 slats on top. All treated, screwed together, and cemented into the ground. I use a combination of monkey posts and benches, facing different directions so I can rotate trees without necessarily looking at the back.
It is important to get them level, secure, and large enough to have 4-5" all the way around the pots for monkey poles, and 6"-8" all the way around canopies for benches. You want plenty of space between trees for air, light, and separation to slow down any pest or fungal problems.
It is also important to get the height right. Too low and you're always looking at the tops, and bending over to work on them. Too high and you're looking up into them. Most of mine are 3' to 4.5 high.
It is important to get them level, secure, and large enough to have 4-5" all the way around the pots for monkey poles, and 6"-8" all the way around canopies for benches. You want plenty of space between trees for air, light, and separation to slow down any pest or fungal problems.
It is also important to get the height right. Too low and you're always looking at the tops, and bending over to work on them. Too high and you're looking up into them. Most of mine are 3' to 4.5 high.
Attachments
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Brian,
On the "monkey poles", how is the platform attached to the pole? Is it just two 2x4 runners screwed to the posts and topped with the 2x2's, or did you build a "box" to fit around the top of the 4x4? I plan on building a couple of these this weekend and was trying to decide the best method of construction for strength. didn't want it to be wobbly.
Thanks,
John
On the "monkey poles", how is the platform attached to the pole? Is it just two 2x4 runners screwed to the posts and topped with the 2x2's, or did you build a "box" to fit around the top of the 4x4? I plan on building a couple of these this weekend and was trying to decide the best method of construction for strength. didn't want it to be wobbly.
Thanks,
John
terry
Yamadori
Thanks Brian. The site available for me has some good shade from trees that allow morning sun but is exposed to the west wind which is fairly constant. I see you have what I assume is a fence that gives wind protection. The design you have is clean and sturdy. Should I think about some 8' to 10' sections of wind protection?
Poink88
Imperial Masterpiece
I use metal shelvings as shown here http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?7700-My-plant-collection-(WARNING-picture-heavy) .
They are cheap, fast, configurable/adjustable, and pretty stable. Not as pretty as wooden ones though. I like the new black ones and plan on replacing some of these eventually.
They are cheap, fast, configurable/adjustable, and pretty stable. Not as pretty as wooden ones though. I like the new black ones and plan on replacing some of these eventually.
Tona
Shohin
I have also stacked square pavers (about a buck each) to make pedestals. Just level the ground and stack them. I have seen chimney flues used with pavers on top also.
Tona
Tona
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Just the runners. They're sturdy enough to dance on...I lay the 4x4 down as a spacer, place the 2x4s on either side, screw the 2x2s to the 2x4s, then center the top on the post and screw the 2x4s to the 4x4s. Once I get going I can make 4-5 in an afternoon.
On wind...I've lived where wind was an issue, but now that my area is relatively protected, I'd do everything possible to reduce wind when designing any future bonsai garden. Gentle breezes are good; beneficial, but I wouldn't want anything strong enough to have to factor it into my daily care, siting, and watering.
I'm using plastic benches from here - you might see these used as display benches in garden centers and grocery stores:
http://structuralplastics.com/cart/?main_page=index&cPath=1
They are lightweight, versatile, clean easily, and still look like new after 5 years. I'd love to build some nice benches or monkey poles like Brian's, but I'm still only a few years in, so my collection of trees isn't yet "stable." I would hate to build something in my backyard that would end up not being as functional down the road, so I'm going with these benches for now, along with poor-man's monkey poles made from cinder blocks with a large paver for the platform's top.
http://structuralplastics.com/cart/?main_page=index&cPath=1
They are lightweight, versatile, clean easily, and still look like new after 5 years. I'd love to build some nice benches or monkey poles like Brian's, but I'm still only a few years in, so my collection of trees isn't yet "stable." I would hate to build something in my backyard that would end up not being as functional down the road, so I'm going with these benches for now, along with poor-man's monkey poles made from cinder blocks with a large paver for the platform's top.
berobinson82
Omono
I have 2 solutions:
Brian Underwood
Chumono
I wrote a guide for some cheap ones; http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9545-Cheap-Easy-Bonsai-Benches!!!
Attachments
Nybonsai12
Masterpiece
I made these and they are awesome! glad I finally have a place for my trees.
Anthony
Imperial Masterpiece
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
The box stores sell stair risers for two, three or five steps for just a few bucks. These, some boards and some large screws or bolt will make excellent tiered tables.
terry
Yamadori
Thank you for all of the ideas. I have made 2 sets of 4 tier stair risers that work very well. The disadvantage to these is the finished weight, they are pretty heavy.
Terry
Terry
jkd2572
Masterpiece
I love this bench. Wish I would make a couple more.
Don Blackmond
Omono
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Thanks for the tips on the monkey poles, Brian, I built a couple yesterday and they turned out well, I think.
John
terry
Yamadori
Look good John. Still on my "to do" list. Between the to do's & honey do's I'm glad I'm retired.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
They look great...I'm calling you next time I need to make more!
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Sounds like a plan, the 'Ham isn't too far from Mobile, you supply the beer and I'll bring the tools, LOL. Thanks for the tips, I plan on making a few more.
John
John
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