Question on bamboo backing

[dmikeyj]

I just got this bamboo/ipe kit, and I have questions about the bamboo.

First-
   

The crack.  It is about 9" long on the underside, and maybe 4" on the back, same crack.  I am not sure if this is CA fixable?

   

Its a little hard to see in this pic (can't get 2 good macro shots in one day      )  

So, the crack aside, the back of the bamboo strip is dinged and chipped in multiple places.  In the second shot, you can see one of the chipped nodes.  There are a few more like this.  In depth, none of the chips are more than about 1/16th" deep.

I only need to use about 3/4ths of the bamboo as the ipe is 1 3/16" wide, and I plan on 3/8" for the tips.  The problem is, that crack goes across the middle, so I can't see a way to work around the crack in my layout.

I also got an osage/hickory kit with this deal, and there's nothing wrong with it, so I can work on that one first.  And, I got a good deal on the kits, so I am not worried that I got taken, or anything like that.

I have only done red oak boards, these will be firsts for me both using backings, and working different woods.  I could use some of that well-earned bowmaking wisdom from some of you guys here.

Thanks,
Mike

[Blkbird]

[dmikeyj]

Maybe I should state that the pics are clickable for higher resolution.  The crack goes completely through the bamboo front to back in part.

Here, I circled around the cracks.  Click for bigger pics:

 

 


These are the same crack, belly and back.  If I put a bit of pressure to flatten the bamboo, the crack opens up some, making it easier to see.  This is the thing that worries me a bit.  Hate to think I'd have to remove 10" of this board to use it.  Its already short for a proper warbow at 6', but I was going to make an ELB style out of this, so 5'2" would force a different design, I think.

I think you are somewhat right about after thinned and shaped, the crack would probably be shorter.
If I need to get another bamboo slat, I would rather that and keep the design I had in mind for this ipe.

[PEARL DRUMS]

If it goes through the slat I would say its j-u-n-k. Bamboo is finicky enough without help.

[Roy from Pa]

I order about 6 pieces of boo at a time. Sometimes you get a bad piece. I would not use the piece you have in the pictures. You could save that piece and buy more. Then on down the road if you get another bad piece, cut both long pieces of boo in half, then do a Z-splice with the good pieces.

[JamesV]

Your time is worth more than a piece of bad bamboo. More than likely you will have more trouble down the line when using  inferior materials.

[H8nonCubs]

All true. As for the dings on the back. I had a few on mine just the same, i took the rind off of mine with a scraper and most of that will come out then

[Roy from Pa]

Even the best piece of boo can give you fits...  Were no cracks in this piece when I glued it up. Sometimes things just don't go as well as we would like them too.

 

 

[dmikeyj]

Shame there Roy.  I'm just going to get ahold of some more bamboo for this ipe, set aside this boo for a shorter bow later.
Thanks for the help guys.

Mike

[Tom Leemans]

That sounds like a good idea Mike.

I would say, since it's near the end, find the centerline (crown), flatten the belly side, and then see if you can still lay it out and avoid/remove the crack when you make the shorter bow. You still have to arrange the nodes along the back. If not, well you tried. Have you contacted who you got the kit from?

[kpete]

Mike,
I think I know where your kit came from.  Let them know you are concerned and I am sure they will make it right.