Thought i would start a talk about . Tools and materials.non traditional . For bonsai . Or useful in bonsai . That you have discovered outside the normal bonsai world
So first up is the pliers . There from the auto repair industry . Proper name is duck bill pliers . There main advantage is there ability to reach into . Confined spaces . Like a pair of needle nose . But with a wider grip like regular pliers . Very handy to twist and secure . Retaining wires . In tight spot. The ones in the pic . Are from snap on tools . But many are avail . The regular side cutters . Are great for general wire cutting . Helps avoid the wear on your good bonsai tools . Last is packing clear plastic . Normally for packing goods . It’s plastic wrap like kitchen wrap . But thicker it only clings to itself .and is thicker but still stretchy . I started using it for ror work
Many of the dollar stores have a 3 pack of nylon, brass, & steel brushes in the auto section.
Nylon and brass for trunk cleaning and brass and Olive Oil spray PAM work great for cleaning tools.
Also they have cheap paint brushes 3 for a dollar that can be used to surface clean & remove excess soil at repot.
Nite Ize sell these great rubber coated gear ties that can be used along with a fiberglass driveway stake to stake a tree for wind protection, until the root mass develops.
I am with you, any tool is fair game as long as they are free from automotive oil, and chemicals. I have even used vise grips to grab some 8mm wire to assist with big bends..
Wrapping aluminum wire with dollar store electrical tape and foam can reduce scarring and it last longer then paper towels if it is the rainy season.
A cheap tarp cut up in appropriate sizes and cut 1/2 way up the middle and star cut can be used to keep the rain off a pot. For a few days of heavy rain.
So Some tools like knob cutters and concave cutters are essential but with the wide variety of tool available from Knipex and other brands as far as pliers and cutter go the options are endless. Bonsai wire cutters are awesome when removing wire from a tree but there are way better cutters available for every other job that we do.
A sharp pair of regular pruners from ARS or another quality brand can handle most jobs where bonsai scissors bend on. I am learning those tiny scissors are great for tiny work, but you just can’t beat a great pair of sharp standard pruning shears.
If it works and you can live with how it looks then it is fair game as far as I am concerned. Even scrap electrical wire can be used if you don’t have the right size bonsai wire.
I have used old chair and a wire spool to make a small rolling work stand.
Certainly not as good for large trees as the professional stuff but fair for small to medium trees.
Some great ideas . I just realized. That I forgot about one thing in my original pics . The black tubes . Placed over the wire . Is automotive rubber vacuum hose . Cheap to get . I find it great to tie training trees . And anywhere you want to protect bark from wire . It’s softness. Is it’s best quality. Just slide it over wire . Myself I’m still searching for the best idea . To cover copper wire . For delicate wiring . You mentioned auto chemicals . Yes you must be careful . What you use . But many uses . ( yes I am an auto tech ) first up . Automatic transmission oil . Get regular old style oil . Like dexron ( GM ) or Mercon ( ford) do not use modern synthetic style . This lube is basically a hydraulic fluid . With a lot of detergent in it . To keep parts clean . And rust free . It is thinner and less lubricating properties . Than say engine oil . It is arguably the best all round tool cleaner oil . Lube you could use . If you fill a jar or can . And simply place your tools . Yes even your best . To soak in it . They will come out spotless . And even the sharpest edge will be corrosion free . Gum dirt tree sap . Disease . All gone . Joints perfectly lubed . Longer soaks restore stuff . Trust me it’s safe . And very very effective . Wipe clean and good to go . If concerned wipe with alcohol . Which is next . Methyl Hydrate.look at labels . Sold as Diesel fuel anti freeze and conditioner . Or gasoline. Water . Displacing anti freeze . Fuel deicer . You want the 100 percent pure form . Should say on bottle . No additives . Truck car or farm equipment supply store . Cheap buy the gallon jug . It’s pure very fast evaporating alcohol, cheaper than ethonal or rubbing alcohol . For the same product and uses . Buy the way , read labels . Most other forms like rubbing alcohol are not pure . 100 percent . It is . Store in cool sealed container . Even then it’s hydroscopic . Will absorb water from the air , will surgically clean anything . And kill every organism on this planet . Including you if you drink it
I buy a roll of aquarium tubing at Pet Smart to cover wire, or whatever is in stock at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
I only use olive oil pam to clean my tools, but it requires scrubbing with a brass brush to remove residue.
It works great if you have the can and a rag with you when the sap is still wet,
But once it dries it needs the brass brush.
Not as good as what you mentioned but definitely plant safe.
As far as bonsai tools go there are great deals on Amazon, At $25 a piece you can afford to just buy new ones if you chip a blade, drop them or forget them outside.
I understand the attraction of name brand tools however most things are actually created by a few manufacturers and are branded differently depending on the customer. If you get a few seasons out of a $25 pair of scissors you got your money’s worth, and the reality is that they could well be exactly the same as the brand that cost 3 times as much, built in the same factory with the same materials.
