fore
Omono
Thanks Dirty Nails (lol, great name
). I appreciate your comment. And yes, the top of the base is 2x4's, so I can def. put a cinder or sand bag on top if needed....good idea btw.
Anyone with Japanese Styled Monkey Poles?
- Thread starter fore
- Start date
Thanks Dirty Nails (lol, great name
). I appreciate your comment. And yes, the top of the base is 2x4's, so I can def. put a cinder or sand bag on top if needed....good idea btw.
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Thats true...
I put mine into shows and displays to appreciate them. I have too many to keep all of them display quality year round in my back yard. You should see my benches right now, I have two giant pyracantha bushes that are out of control. They will be managed back into bonsai this weekend.
That's been my set up too. Pretty low maintenance and cost, and easy to move around if need be. I do like Brian Van Fleet's set up though
Poink88
Imperial Masterpiece
Thanks Dirty Nails (lol, great name
Another option to using weights are pegs & tie down. A bit better looking too.
tmmason10
Omono
Just curious, are these placed together with or without mortar? I assume you just stack them plain but was just checking.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
That stand is a very nice design but will need a wider base if I copy it down the road. Here the winds relocate even heavy items on a pretty regular basis. Again - Nice work and ty for sharing! 
fore
Omono
I made some adjustments, I lowered the ht. of the larger one, even lower than the smaller stand. I also made the smaller stands' top smaller.
Now I just need to put 3 coats of Urethane on it.
Now I just need to put 3 coats of Urethane on it.
Poink88
Imperial Masterpiece
Very nice stands!
If you are patient enough...spar (marine) varnish would work really well. It cures/dries super slow though.
If you are patient enough...spar (marine) varnish would work really well. It cures/dries super slow though.
tmmason10
Omono
Those are looking pretty good, nice work.
fore
Omono
Very nice stands!
If you are patient enough...spar (marine) varnish would work really well. It cures/dries super slow though.
Thanks Dario!
I got Helmsman Spar Urethane from the depot. I see Lowes carries spar varnish/high gloss only. Do you think the varnish will be better/longer lasting than the spar urethane? I'm not too familiar with these outdoor sealants.
fore
Omono
Thank You Tom. I put a lot of work into these, but am very happy how they turned out. I had forgotten how much enjoyment I get working with wood
Poink88
Imperial Masterpiece
Its been a while and not sure how these two stack up. Maybe you can do an online search? Note that some manufacturer uses names that is not REAL. Most notorious I know is "Tung Oil". Lots of manufacturer's sell it but if you look at their list of ingredients...it doesn't contain any or if ever, very low amount!
Spar varnish is used in outdoors and marine applications, it resists UV damage and water penetration so it protects wood really good. Other finishes usually crack/fail under the elements much faster. Higher VOC will dry faster (not environment friendly) but I believe they perform better than water based. Technology is changing though and the gap is narrowing down.
As mentioned, the downside is the slow curing. Last I used it, it took more than a month before the tackiness disappeared. Good thing for you, it doesn't have to a "furniture" grade finish so you can afford dust specs or finger prints on it. MAYBE you can use it in a week if the imperfection won't bother you.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
fore
Omono
LOL Grimlore!
I haven't finished yet as I decided (OCD lol) I had to fill the gaps with wood filler where 4x4 meets legs. One all sanded and ready for varnish. Still need to sand the smaller still. No biggie, I was in no rush.
Dario, yes, not trying for furniture grade. fort. the basement is rather dust free.
I haven't finished yet as I decided (OCD lol) I had to fill the gaps with wood filler where 4x4 meets legs. One all sanded and ready for varnish. Still need to sand the smaller still. No biggie, I was in no rush.
Dario, yes, not trying for furniture grade. fort. the basement is rather dust free.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Any recent picks of that project
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
fore
Omono
Sorry Grim, the project got stalled. So they are downstairs still unfinished. I guess I'm not looking forward to applying the varnish and all that sanding lol Besides, it'll give me something to do this winter
Darlene, yes, they stand on their own. I've seen some other self standing poles that simply bolted the 2x4s to the 4x4, just as affective and a lot easier to make than the joinery that I used. And, if I make more, I'll prob. move up to 6x6 posts.
Darlene, yes, they stand on their own. I've seen some other self standing poles that simply bolted the 2x4s to the 4x4, just as affective and a lot easier to make than the joinery that I used. And, if I make more, I'll prob. move up to 6x6 posts.
fore
Omono
I was referencing this thread and I realized I hadn't updated it. I decided to not varnish them and let them be exposed to the elements, they'll turn a nice grey with time. They are rock solid and are to me, extremely attractive.
However, the next ones will be sl. different:
Taller/Eye level. I like seeing the whole tree without contorting my body to see everything. Thx ?BVF for the idea...it's been awhile
6x6" Post instead of 4". Just looks better.
Chucktownbonsai posted in a thread that he used pea gravel and sand instead of concrete to place his posts. It's a non permanent setup (which apparently works ), which sounds great to me as I don't plan on living here in Chicago long term. So I'll try this next yr and save me the work of making the feet. Thanks CTB for the idea!
However, the next ones will be sl. different:
Taller/Eye level. I like seeing the whole tree without contorting my body to see everything. Thx ?BVF for the idea...it's been awhile
6x6" Post instead of 4". Just looks better.
Chucktownbonsai posted in a thread that he used pea gravel and sand instead of concrete to place his posts. It's a non permanent setup (which apparently works
), which sounds great to me as I don't plan on living here in Chicago long term. So I'll try this next yr and save me the work of making the feet. Thanks CTB for the idea!
