This spring

[dick benbow]

When I rook my bonsai stands out of storage and cleaned up for spring display, I noted on several stands that the corners were separated. I also found some of my daiza's left with stones in them could not be removed for storage.

If I'm understanding what is happening, moisture is lost and the wood expands?

What is the cure? Where or how it is stored. Woodworkers here probably know what to recommend.

suggestions welcome.

 

[Poink88]

It is the opposite...wood shrink when it dries. Usually, wood should be dried properly before using and avoid moisture from coming back in by proper coating. Your daiza might have to be re-carved to fit the stone properly. You can try to oil it and see it it expands some. If the daiza keep shrinking with the stone in them...it may lead to cracking.

Good luck!

 

[joepa82]

wood also expands and contracts quite a bit with the temperature. Storing in a space without climate control could separate joints. Exposure to moisture could also be the culprit.

 

[artofthedaiza]

How are the stands built?
If they are solid wood tops they should be built with a frame and panel design. This leaves room in the frame around the center of the top for expansion.
If they are not frame and panel, if you glue and clamp them back I am afraid they will only separate again.
As for the daizas, what wood are they made from?
A guy I know had a lot of redwood and made daizas from it only to find that they shrunk so much the stones popped out.
Type of wood and amount of moisture in it matters.
I would definitely find a better place to store them where the temperature does not change so greatly.

 

[dick benbow]

spot on "art"....thanks

 

[Poink88]

I would definitely find a better place to store them where the temperature does not change so greatly.

I agree that temperature matters...but humidity plays a bigger role on wood expansion/contraction.

 

[dick benbow]

when I sent my stands back to the maker for repair, the first thing he did was to remove the
center piece of wood from the outside frame.

I have changed their storage location from the back bedroom's closet in individual cardboard storage boxes to open air in the living room.