Horz or Vert Bamboo

[matts2]

I know this topic gets votes on both sides, but what is everyone's opinions on either. The question is on using flooring for "actionboo" lams.  Some people say to use horizontal and others say to only use vertical.  I have been using horizontal for a while and haven't had any problems that I know of.  Will one act differently then the other?  What's everyone's reasons for one over the other?

   

     

Thanks

[red hill]

This is a great question, Matt. I plan to use bamboo on the next 2-3 bows I want to make this summer.
Looking at your diagrams I would think the vertically laminated would be the best choice. But we all know looks can be deceiving.
The answers will be a tremendous help.
Stan

[rmorris]

I like the vertical because there are several time that as I process them I find there are some "no glue" places on the joints. The max thickness of the laminations I use is .100" and with the vertical I can catch a no glue joint and not use that piece. If you were to have a place on the horizontal bamboo where 2 pieces were come together in the middle of your lamination and there is a no glue joint you cant see I feel that could be catastrophic. I also do not know that kind of glue the floor manufactures use and if it is not strong enough you could get some sheer if there is a horizontal joint in your lamination. That is only how I feel and why I use Vertical.

[kennym]

Vertical for me, the laminations in it will be all the same, unlike horizontal where you could have a thin sliver glued to a thick one.  

Way more consistent and that means waaaay easier tillering.....  

[Ron Foley]

I agree with Kennym. I have used both with no problems but prefer the vertical. Seems more stable and consitent. BUT that is only my personal experiance.

[bjansen]

Vertical....100% for me.  In vertical you are relying on the boo for core lam strength...in horizontal you are relaying on the boo, plus the flooring company's glue joints.

[tradbower]

Vertical

[matts2]

The glue is one thing I try to avoid on my horizontal lams.  I always rip and plane the glue out of the lams.  But I totally understand and agree with the reasons for vert.  

Thanks

[stringstretcher]

Can anyone post up some pictures of an all bamboo bow?  I have a thread going right now asking questons about building them

[frank bullitt]

I would say vertical, also! Just make since in the construction, ie strength of the lam.

This reminds me of an all bamboo longbow I saw at a shoot back in the early '90s in Freindship, Indiana.

The bow was laminated, side to side stack, not a traditional lam of back to belly lams.

Pretty cool bow!

[Dick in Seattle]

I use only vertical, it just seems to make more sense to me in terms of consistency and strength.

Here is a picture and a link to more pix and full details on an all bamboo bow I made last winter, which I happen to really love... my current go-to bow.   I used natural, i.e. non-laminated, bamboo for the outers, so it would have visible nodes for aesthetic reasons, vertical laminated for the core and vertical laminated to laminate up the bamboo riser:


 

 http://www.dickwightman.com/archeryactivity/bowbuilding/gallery/bamboozlefinal/bamboozle.html