| Project by Dale J Struhar Sr | posted 19 days ago | 425 views | 0 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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When I first started taking Bonsai classes the owners were trying to design a rack to hold and dispense the various sizes of wire used to shape branches on the plants. There are 6 various sizes of wire that are most commonly used. The first picture is one view of their attempt to make a wire rack. I have to admit the person did not have a workshop and was limited in tools.However this was the basis for my design. I was asked if I could make something nicer for resale.
The rest of the pictures is the design I came up. This particular rack holds a ½ kilo spool of wire. I also designed (made bigger) a rack that holds a full kilo spool of wire.
In their spool holder design the sides were held on to a solid wooden center with three screws. I had a heating/cooling friend of mine make the sheet metal tube I use. The centers are glued to the sides. Each are fitted as a unit one side has the tube stabled to the center the opposite side center fits snugly into the tube.
I added a drawer for some tools.
They are fun to make and very popular in the bonsai community.
-- Dale, Ohio
9 comments so far
TopamaxSurvivor
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2986 posts in 567 days
posted 19 days ago
Why so many? Differnet kinds of wire?
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CoolDavion
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214 posts in 716 days
posted 19 days ago
Looks like the same basic design could also work for x-mas ribions.
-- don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things
CaptainSkully
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468 posts in 450 days
posted 19 days ago
I believe there are different diameters of wire, depending on the size of the branch. Also, if you need to train a branch, you need a stiffer wire. I love the bonsai!!!
-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails
a1Jim
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posted 19 days ago
very useful wire rack
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Loucarb
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posted 18 days ago
Very nice design. well done
MsDebbieP
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posted 18 days ago
looks like a great unit for a jewelry maker as well !!!
nicely done
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
stefang
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1638 posts in 226 days
posted 18 days ago
You took a good idea and redesigned it into a great product! I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing this kind of stuff, and I bet you do too. The only difference is that it happens a lot less often in my shop than in yours. Well done!
-- Mike, American in Norway
sharad
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704 posts in 696 days
posted 18 days ago
Bonsai fans will love this wire dispenser with that cute drawer included. Very well done.
Sharad
-- patanjali
nmkidd
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381 posts in 64 days
posted 17 days ago
Without the drawers….it looks like the tool tote I made many moons ago in woodshop. Great redo of a tried and true design.
-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!