Display pedestals.

AHAWK

Hello all, This my first post, but I have been reading the forum for several months. I was wondering if if anyone had a good drawing on design for display pedestals. I have built several large benchesfor my collection. Now I would like to have a couple of pedestals to show off a couple of trees in the yard.ThanksAndy

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TreeBay

There are two Kevin Bailey articles in bonsaiTALK Links on display benches and pedestals, and some samples in another garden. Try typing in PEDESTAL when you get there for the garden, and BAILEY for the other article.

One suggestion I have seen is to mount a pipe flange and short 12" length of pipe to the bottom of the top base, and then drill a corresponding hole in the column, and you will have a turntable top that can be rotated easily.

Regards,

Matt

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TreeBay

I forgot to mention how I made mine. I'll put together an article on this later.

Each pedestal is constructed from redwood fencepost and rough 2x12 lumber. You could substitute cypress or cedar, or pressure treated lumber. You want a good sturdy, durable post of the type used to hold up fences, not a fir 4x4 or something.

You'll need a standard carpenter's saw, level, pencil and some deck screws that are 2-4" long depending on if you are using brackets or not. A T-square is useful so you can make an even mark all the way around the top of the post so it will be straight when you cut it. Otherwise, sink the crooked end in the ground!
[*]Cut a piece of 2x12 for the tabletop. Mine's about 18" long. Since it's rough cut, it actually measures about 2" thick by 12" wide and whatever length you cut it.[*]Cut a piece of fencepost for the stand to your desired exposed height plus about 18" to go into the ground.[*]Dig a hole 18-24 inches deep. If the ground tends to be soft or your post is high, you'll want to go deeper.[*]Put a little fencepost concrete or gravel in the bottom and set the post. Make sure it is plumb by using your level.
Backfill with fencepost concrete, wet it and give it a day to set.[*]If you are using a brackets, you can mount it to the underside of your 2x12 with the short screws. The brackets are joist hangers wide enough for a 4x4. You'll need two, one on each side of the post.[*]Choose the top surface of the table based on the grain as seen from the edge of the wood. Over time it will cup, so put the side that was closest to the exterior of the tree up (that's the newer wood, the side with the larger rings). That way it will cup down and shed water better.[*]Now mount the top to the post. If you aren't using the brackets, you can screw a couple long screws from the top of the shelf through the post.

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Brian

I see a new video in the future

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Brian
Zone 4
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bonsaial1

I have made mine out of 1/2 blocks. They are 8"x8"x8". I stack 2 - 3 together to make a grouping. You can make them permanate by filling with concrete, though they are heavy enough to stand on thier own. I use a 12"x12" stepping stone for the top. They make 18"x18" stepping stones if you have a larger tree. I have made larger ones out of 18"x18"x12" high concrete pilaster blocks. I then use a pre-cast air conditioning pad for the top. It is 30"x30".

They seem to pretty cheap to construct, can be painted, and not much labor. You could get the colored fence blocks too. They could be used with a wood top or a slate top.


best regards, Bonsaial

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bonsaial1

This is the larger one.

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bonsaial1

It's not really leaning! The pic was in the panarama format, and the ends of the photo lean out.

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no.... really!

AHAWK

Matt,

Thanks for the great info and design ideas. The 4x4 post idea was what I was shooting for. I've got two 50 pound dogs, so I'll make sure to sink the post deep.

Al,

Thanks for another good idea. I have been admiring your wonderful wood work. My father is a furniture maker up in Montana. I will try to con him into building me a couple of nice stands one of these days. He just made a beautiful Tokonoma for a local Bhuddist center.

Thanks again

Andy

TreeBay

Al, that panorama excuse has been used before by some Italian guy

[img:7bd62c843a]http://www.allfunpix.com/lessons/mediocrity.jpg[/img:7bd62c843a]

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