Working thick walled bamboo

[Brian Gillispie]

Hey guys,

I have harvested some thick walled large diameter bamboo.  I am trying to work One section ( the length cut from between 2 nodes ) into a flat billet.  If I can do a small piece then I want to try to make a self bow from this material.

I have split the "tube" length wise and want to flatten it out into a sheet.

I stood outside over the gas grill and nothing happened,  Heat a bit then try to stretch the tube open.  No luck.

I am now "Cooking" my tube in a steamer basket on the stove and trying to stretch it open every few min with very little sucess.  

HELP.  any suggestions?

Brian

[Grey Taylor]

I haven't made any myself but I have seen self bows made from a simple piece of bamboo split from a culm. They didn't worry about flattening it out. I think they used the width to adjust the tiller.

Guy

[wingnut]

I think you will play heck with trying to flatten it.  How big is your tube?  We work with tubes that are 5-8" in diameter.  With those you cut 2" strips and work from there.

Mike

[Brian Gillispie]

this tube is just 2.5 inches in diameter.  It seems to have memory like a ticked off wife.  I have been able to open it up about 1/2 inch so far.  I think strips is the way to go.

Brian

[M60gunner]

You may have to build a steam tube and use steam to flatten the boo. It will become pliable like wood but then needs to be clamped to a form to cool. This is how wood is bent to make wood chairs like a rockers. After this is done you still need to heat temper the boo. This will remove much of the excess moisture as well. An oven like bamboo flyrod makers use would be ideal but costly.

[GINKSTER]

I can tell you that you will not flatten it all the way. Save yourself the trouble and buy some slats.

[Loren Holland]

There was another post within the past couple weeks on bamboo issues and i asked the same question, i bought a piece about 3 inches across, split it, got out the heat gun, and ended up with burnt still round bamboo, i finally just ordered from master garden