Cheap Bonsai tool alternatives?

Sky

I'm so amazed at the amount of Bonsai information here, it's actually overwhelming at times. I have looked through the thousands of threads (lol.. not) and I figured that I would break down and ask.

I'm looking for cheap alternatives to several things... and I have found a few. I'm looking for anyone's input on whether or not I should be using these alternatives.

Bonsai shears, cutters, scissors, etc. - LOCAL HARDWARE STORE TOOLS CAN ACHIEVE THE SAME RESULTS

Bonsai Shaping wire - COPPER GROUND WIRE IN ELECTRICAL CABLES, but limited to one size. Any other suggestions for more alternatives on wire?

Bonsai Granite or "sharp stone" soil mix - AQUATIC PLANT SOIL or UNSCENTED KITTY LITTER - both are inexpensive and about the same "grit" sizes. I have also thought of using "fish rocks" (aquarium gravel) since the bags say safe for planters, but it's more expensive

Does anyone know about using CANDLE WAX in place of cut paste, or any other alternative for cut paste. I'm in a rural area and some things are hard to come by without a long car ride.

please give me your input - even if you are gonna say "buy the right stuff"... in time I will.

Thanx for your responses and your time guys!

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Bonsaifreak

Cut paste is not that critical, you may just use moist dirt or clay over your curts with similar results. As for alternatives to tools, a root hook can be made by adapting a handle to a heavy duty large nail. A concave cutter is a hard tool to substitute and you may just have to buy one. There are no bonsai shops or nurseries where I live either and I have orderd most of my tools from the Internet. Bonsaiboy.com will sell you fairly decent tools for a beginner at reasonable prices.

Finally, I've experimented with several soil ingredients. I'd avoid using cat litter or aquarium gravel (the latter is often painted). Alterantives include soil conditioner (haydite) found in most nurseries (about $10 for 20 lb bag), crushed lava rock (I crush my own with a sledge hammer) or sifted pea gravel. For a smaller particle size, consider Oil-absorbing silica sand found in most automotive part stores.

jo schmoo

i've made a "copper" watering can out of a paper cup, tape, a straw, and some pennies. i have had it for about 1 year, and it has held up pretty well.

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Will_Heath

The "expensive" tools are often better made I have found. They hold their edge longer and outperform the cheaper alternatives in most cases.

Tools specifically designed for bonsai are better at preforming the tasks than ordinary "hardware tools." Take the concave cutter for example, simply one of the best inventions ever. What other single tool can do the job as easily?

For starters you may want to invest in concave cutters, a good pair of snips, and some cut paste. In time you can add wire cutters, root hooks, branch jacks, and so on. Until then normal angular cutters, chopsticks, and the like can fill in. Save the specialty tools like branch splitters and jinning tools for last. Buy good quality once or poor quality many times.

Find a friend in bonsai or a club member and go in on purchases of soil and wire. You often can save money and shipping by purchasing in larger quantities, splitting the order when it arrives.

Good luck,


Will

mkonig

I agree with Will that a good concave cutter should be the first thing on your list. With a bit of thought, most other tools can be improvised with ordinary garden centre / hardware store tools or home made alternatives, especially if your trees are in early stages of developement.

Buying good quality tools will save you a lot of money (and aggrevation) in the long run.

Sound advise by Will regarding grouping together with others for mail order (though, as in my case not always possible).

Regards
Mike

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Sky

Excellent Ideas guys, and I appreciate your input. I am one who would definately invest in "real" japanese bonsai tools.

One thing I didnt see though, What wire alternatives, if any, has anyone come up with. So far the only thing I found that would serve any significant use would be the copper ground wire in electrical cable (house wiring).

As for the Bonsai clubs. I live in a so called rural area (town of 15,ooo) and the nearest club or even specialty store for bonsai is 2 hrs away, so that's pretty much out of the question. I'm hoping that you guys can be my bonsai club... lol

ripssurf

i havent done it, but some people say that elmer's glue (the white stuff) is a good substitute for cut paste.

soil is something i dont skimp on, but if you have a shredder or too much free time (like i do now) you can chop your own pine bark up.

i would not skimp on tools though. while cheap tools might work in the meantime, in the long run, good tools will help you avoid lots of extra aggravation.

jeff

Ralph

Most hardware stores sell solid copper wire in just about any guage you need. You will have to anneal the wire, not difficult to do. Just fire up the grill/fire pit, getting it really hot. heat the wire until it is red glowing hot completely. Let cool to ambient air temperature.
Do not use braided copper wire.

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Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


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noelthe3rd

Why can't you use braided wire? You get a decent gauge and three to six times the wire for the length.