Page 63 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q2

HOW-TO:

Making A Bonsai Table

Photos and Text By Barry Walker, UK

Presented by Kath Hughes, UK
Barry Walker, the creator of this stand and many tackle the learning curve to acquire this skill. Look for
others, all equally good, is not a trained carpenter by BW Bespoke Bonsai Stands on Facebook.
trade, but a retired lifelong firefighter who, following The tools and materials used were as follows. The
a major heart attack, decided to enjoy life to the full hand tools are chisels, hand saw, craft knife, various
and learn new skills, to think positively and perhaps clamps, sanding blocks, set square, ruler and tape
make a little cash en route. He is also a long-term measure. The power tools used were a drill press, drill,
“Below is the finished table enthusiastic member of our local bonsai society, who bench milling machine, router, bench sander and a
with the tree I had in mind. The for many years of living in a fire fighters townhouse scroll saw. Materials used were PVA glue, wax, wood
table echoes the round feature
of the bonsai container and was forced to grow only small bonsai on a large balcony stain, varnish, wire wool, and sand paper. Though
the table is just the right size and has now moved into a house and garden where several power tools were used they simply speed up
for this container.” he is also progressing to larger bonsai. He is hoping the job but all of it can be done using only hand tools.
—BW to create stands for others who are too frightened to — Kath Hughes

reating your own bonsai stands can be inexpen-
sive and not difficult, as long as you have a few
Cbasic carpentry skills and tools.
It all starts at starts with the design stage; the stand
you require may be a particular style you badly want and
cannot find at a price you can afford, or one which you
feel would just suit that special tree, but have been able
to find for all your searching. This is where you become a
bespoke builder. You can then, as I do, create a stand for
every tree and pot you wish, in a wide variety of styles,
sizes and finishes you require.
The wood I use is from recycled old furniture, mostly
over fifty years old, wood which is very stable, having
done all the shrinking, twisting and so on that any wood
will go through over the years. It is easy and very inexpen-
sive to obtain because people are throwing out wooden
furniture—not antiques—but old furniture discarded in
favour of modern trendy, up-to-date pieces. Visits to local
used furniture sales should see you set for a number of
stands. However this wood can be a little harder to work,
as it tends to be stronger and denser than new woods.
This means your tools must be very sharp and you have
to be careful with fine work as the old, well dried wood is
also a little more brittle.

April/May/June 2015 | BCI | 61