First stab at bonsai bench

[Chad D]

I may end up replacing the top 1x6 with a 10ft long board rather than the 8ft one on there now. I'm also not convinced I like the (only) subtle color differentiation between the bench and front facade but will see it better and decide tomorrow in the daylight. I'm open to suggestions.

I even got to teach my 7 y/o twins how to paint. Everyone helped!

 

[garywood]

Chad, looks aren't nearly as important as time spent! My twin boys are 37 and time gets away in a hurry. Have fun!

 

[fraser67]

Looks good. Nice detail. I'd go for 10'...you'll no doubt end up needing more space lol. And don't worry about the color...the sun will take of that for you

 

[Cypress187]

Allways need more space

 

[Chad D]

Thanks everyone. I made it taller than I normally would to keep my dog out of the trees. I'm going to use this bench for pre bonsai since the 1x6 on the front keeps one from seeing the pot very well.

Next, I'm making some pedestal stands for my nicer trees that are in bonsai pots.

 

[klosi]

Great looking bench!!!

 

[Paradox]

Nice job and a great way to get your sons involved.

Yep, I ordered some additional benches from a greenhouse supply place near me to replace some of the plastic HD shelving I have now. The older stuff is drying out and starting to get brittle from the sun. The new ones are not fancy but they are made of plastic that will hold up to the weather and sun better. Also no painting required and it wont rot. I am going to replace the HD shelving slowly each year with new greenhouse benches.

I am going to be able to make a two-tiered bench which will be better for the trees and give me more bench space in a smaller footprint, because....I need the space.

 

[JudyB]

Great project. Kids look like they had a blast.

 

[GrimLore]

Nice looking and functional I am going to be doing similar but first(started yesterday) I am putting in landscape timbers and a minimum of 5 inches of black mulch along the useable fence line. I used crushed stone at the last place but I don't have it in me this year to haul 5 1/2 ton this year. I am pointing it out as unless you plan on moving it to do maintenance I found that right on the lawn my weed wacker would tear them up good and "stuff" would always be growing well underneath. Nice job though!

Grimmy

 

[Chad D]

Nice looking and functional I am going to be doing similar but first(started yesterday) I am putting in landscape timbers and a minimum of 5 inches of black mulch along the useable fence line. I used crushed stone at the last place but I don't have it in me this year to haul 5 1/2 ton this year. I am pointing it out as unless you plan on moving it to do maintenance I found that right on the lawn my weed wacker would tear them up good and "stuff" would always be growing well underneath. Nice job though!

Grimmy

Great idea with the mulch or stone. I'll add some mulch. I'm going to make a few more benches that are more mobile and not attached to the fence. 8ft long x 20 inches deep gets taken up so fast with trees.

 

[Chad D]

anyone have any ideas on a different color than black for the front japanese style facade that would not make it look too cheesy? I was going to try and make a torri gate but this was quicker and easier.

 

[GrimLore]

anyone have any ideas on a different color than black for the front japanese style facade that would not make it look too cheesy?

I would match it to the fence color

Grimmy

 

[jeanluc83]

It looks good.

My twin boys are 4. Its taken me the last two summers to convince them that my trees are not their sand box. We will see how this summer goes.

 

[Chad D]

It looks good.

My twin boys are 4. Its taken me the last two summers to convince them that my trees are not their sand box. We will see how this summer goes.

That's funny. My son is still upset that I won't plant my trees in the ground to let them get big so he can climb them. He does not see any purpose of having them in small pots. My daughter though helps me a ton with them and has over 15 species memorized and can recognize them. She loves it!

He's a typical boy. She is inheriting slight OCD/'anal' personality traits from me apparently. lol! I always say those make for good physicians and professionals but annoying spouses.

 

[Dav4]

I was expecting something much more ghetto then what you have there, like lumber on top of cinder blocks or milk crates (MY first bonsai bench). It looks good!

 

[Dav4]

As far as color goes, I've always been a fan of the natural grey weathered look.

 

[M. Frary]

I have the ghetto benches in my yard
1x10 oak boards across 5 gallon hydraulic oil buckets. Pretty sweet if you ask me

 

[Chad D]

I have the ghetto benches in my yard
1x10 oak boards across 5 gallon hydraulic oil buckets. Pretty sweet if you ask me

That works just as well!! I also used the project to spend quality time with my kids, get them off their electronic devices and outside, and teach them woodworking and painting.

 

[Dav4]

I have the ghetto benches in my yard
1x10 oak boards across 5 gallon hydraulic oil buckets. Pretty sweet if you ask me

Man, I was ghetto with my benches for over a decade, mainly cinder blocks and wood. One of them was even made from a reclaimed section of picket fencing I found in the woods.

 

[rockm]

You might want to add at least a foot more width. As it is now, they're kind of crammed against the fence. That can lead to weak foliage on the fence side. Also makes the shelf useless for any larger bonsai you get in the future (and you probably will get more ;-).