'Boo question for you guys in the know.

[red hill]

A lady that was moved into the classroom across the hall from me brought four pieces of bamboo to me this morning.  
The largest is almost 6" in diameter and over 1/4" in thickness. The smallest is about 4" in diameter and less than 1/4" thick.

How long does bamboo take to dry?

How should I process the boo into slats?

I have a planer/jointer but no table saw and my bandsaw is a 9" cheapie. However, I do have a good circular saw.

I have wanted to use some boo for backing and now I have a perfect opportunity.
   
Stan

[Pat B]

Take a butcher knife and start it centered in one end and hammer it in. With a little effort and some prying it will split right in half. Another option is to punch a hole down the center breaking through the webbing at the nodes. A piece of rebar works well for this. This method will allow air circulation through the center helping it dry.
  After it dries somewhat lay it in the sun to give it the nice tannish color.
  1/4" thick isn't much. The 6" stuff should be 3/8" to 1/2" thick if it is mature.

[Eric Krewson]

Use a hoe or rake handle and punch the nodes out inside. Let the trunk dry for a month or so and cut it up, I use a bandsaw. It will need another couple months of air drying before you use it on a bow.

[red hill]

Thanks, Pat and Eric. Haven't worked with bamboo before but I figured it held a good bit of moisture.
I hadn't thought about splitting the 'boo with a hammer and blade. That's what I'll do.
Stan

[Bob at Work]

great find...maybe she will show you where she got it...     nothing that big in this part of the state...
have fun!
Bob

[red hill]

Bob, she said it came out of her neighbor's back yard. It was planted some time back and has taken over. Hopefully I will be landing some more. You're correct, most of what I find around here isn't large enough for bow making.
Couple of weeks ago I harvested about 2 dozen river cane shoots. They're in the attic drying right now. Hope to make a few arrows this fall.
Pat, I measured the thickness after reading your response and the larger boo is around 3/8" to just under 1/2". So maybe that'll do for backing?
Stan

[Pat B]

Just like with cane for arrows you have to be sure the boo is mature. Bamboo(or cane) grows to it's ultimate height the first year of growth. Each year after that(arrow cane usually has a 3 to 4 year growing cycle. Some of the bigger varieties have longer growing cycles) it matures and the walls thicken and become more dense. The olser, thicker, more mature culms are what you want for building bows.

[Bob at Work]

Stan,
if you find out that you can get me some good shoots to start a patch of my own...please let me know.  I have a farm and I'm not worried about it taking over.  
[email protected]
Bob

[red hill]

Bob, I'll ask. I wish I had some room for that as well.

[Bob at Work]

cool...thanks!
Bob