First Collected Stone...

dbz12fan

On my vacation over to the Las Vegas Grand canyon area I collected this stone near bryce canyon. I am planning on making a diaza for it, but have no idea how to do it or even what wood to use (i will check the FAQ, if you know it is not in there i'd be glad for a reply on how to do it). It is a very small stone since my suitcase had to be under a certain weight or I would be charged money. The pictures doesn't do anything for it (eliminating all depth in it).

What do you think-

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suiseki canyon.jpg (9.3 KB, 202 views)

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

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bonsaial1

First, nice stone. Nice color and the shape has interest.

The Wood I would go with black walnut, It is easy to carve, and takes a finish well. If you prefer to start less expensive, try poplar wood. It will have to be stained, but that is not a problem. It finishes well too. Other woods you might try are, cherry, lime, mahogany.Mahogany might be good too since it is nearly the same color as the stone. Look in the yellow pages under hardwood distributers and then move out from there.

The Technique Since this is a nearly flat bottomed stone, you are probably not interested in cutting it. Cut stones make for simple stand building. Rough stones call for much more precise carving techniques.

A couple of methods for getting the outline on the wood would be to place the stone on the wood and use a lead from a drafting pencil. The lead only. This will get you in the ball park. The other method uses a flashlight shined from directly above. Just trace the outline.

The Carving When you have the outline on the wood, start with a medium gouge. Take out the wood a little at a time, and start well within the line. That way as the stone begins to go into the wood, you can see how close the stone comes to the line. The wood should have no gaps between the stone and the stand. As you carve out the wood, you can place a piece of carbon paper, carbon side down, and press the stone and grind it a little. This will transfer the high spots of the stone to the wood and allow it to move farther into the stone. Carve a little and check your work often.

When the stone is seated into the wood like it was made for it, it will be time to cut the daiza from the block. Just trace around the stone a line about 1/8" away from the stone. Cut this out with a jig saw, a coping saw, or a fret saw. The it will be necessary to carve the outside, and the feet. Check out as many pictures as possible of great looking daiza on stones and try to duplicate that.

The Finish This can be something as simple as a couple of coats of lacquer from a spray can to a hand rubbed wax job useing beeswax. I would go with a simple finish on the first one, since as you gain expierance you will no doubt try to improve the stand by carving a second one.

Hope this helps and good luck with your first daiza. Please post the finished stand here so we can all see it. I know it will always be special...Bonsai-al

The photo below is a simple stand that I made from walnut. The legs are simple and just a shave was done around the bottom rim to simulate legs. I hope you understand what I mean. If you don't I can shoot a photo to show you the underside.

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dbz12fan

Thanks for the help. I will start carving once I pick up some wood. I will probably use black walnut.

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

dbz12fan

One last question. What tools should be used to carve the feet out?

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

bonsaial1

I use a dremel tool with a steel cutter. Then I follow up with the same tool and the sanding drum. Then I finish with sandpaper wrapped around dowels, fingers, small round objects, anything that has the contour I am looking for. I do all the feet by eye, with no templates.

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A tree a day...thats all we ask.

Jay

This being the active Thread on Suiseki, I have a question. I have seen viewing stones displayed two ways, one is in a wood stand as Al has shown above. The second is in a low sided pot with sand inside, the rock sitting on/in the sand. I believe the pot type is a Suban (sp).

The question is, of the two display types is one better for some stones than the other? Or, is it a matter of choice?

As you can see my knowledge of Bonsai is head and shoulders over my tea cup size knowledge of viewing stones!

Jay

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dbz12fan

I considered placing this stone in a suiban but I cannot imagine a suiban of the right size and shape for the stone. I also feel it is more valuable in a dia because more work is put into it. And one last thing, I would feel really lazy picking up this stone putting it in a suiban with sifted turface and just letting it sit there.

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

bonsaial1

Mountain view stones seem to look better in daiza's. Island stones, and cove stones look better in suiban's. The suiban is supposed to represent water, and can be filled with water or sand to depict this feature. Some trays are actually glazed blue on the inside to help out with this feature.

Don't be mistaken into thinking the value will be enhanced that much with a carved dai. If the stone is rare and valuable, it will stand on it's own merits and will be equally valuable no matter how it is displayed. A stand may add more valuable in the sense that it can be displayed properly, but that would be all.

When displayed in a suiban, the sand should be extreamly fine. Useing "turface" would not be appropriate. I have used the colored sand like you see at the fairs for making the stupid birds in the soda pop bottles. It is fine, comes in a billion colors, and can be mixed to make colors that will blend well with the stone.

I have seen stands that were poorly done that actually took away from the stone, this must also be kept in mind. Let us know how you are doing!

Al

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A tree a day...thats all we ask.

dbz12fan

Still working on getting the supplies needed. I am starting from scratch so it will probably take me a while, just like it did with bonsai. I do have a jig saw but that is the only tool you mentioned that I have. I wouldn't waste the money on these supplies if this was going to be my only stone, but I plan on getting more and more interested soon. It is hard though because there is no one at the club I go to that is really deep into viewing stones. So really the only reliable source I have is this site.

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl