Bamboo poles???

[breazyears]

Was curious. I have seen bamboo poles at garden centers, and home decor stores. Could these be used for backing? What would the minimum diameter need to be?
 Any thoughts, or knowledge on this?

[wood carver 2]

I have used 4 inch poles for backing, but I haven't been able to find any for some time now.
Larger diameter would be better if you can find any. Anything less than 4 inch has too high of a crown.
Dave.

[J.F. Miller]

I've made about a dozen bows 1 1/4" wide from 3" to 3 1/2" Madake bamboo. 3" is really pushing it, but if the wall thickness of the culm is good(over 1/4"), it works. 3 1/2" pole will yield 4 splits easily.

4" is better, but good luck finding poles that size of a specie strong enough for bow backing.

[timbermoose]

I get mine from Bamboo World in chilliwack. 5"x8'. I get 4 splits. Might get 5 but I don't bother pushing it. I think it's moso, but not sure. Haven't had a failure yet.  Echo archery has a good deal on bamboo backings.

[NCArrowflinger]

Tenbrook archery in the sponsors classifieds has a great eal on bamboo and ipe.

[breazyears]

I have loads of ipe. Just don't want to pay the shipping to have bamboo shipped to me.
 Maybe ill just bite the bullet. Ill check out the price of shipping from BC, probably the cheapest....man im cheap. LOL

[wood carver 2]

I bought bamboo slats from Cali Bamboo and they shipped it to me from PA. The price was ok, but they don't select it. Some is good and some has a lot of nodes. It comes in bundles of 25 and the slats are 6 feet long by 1 3/4 wide.
Dave.

[Bert Frelink]

Steve,
Send me your Info and I'll get some to you.
2" wide 6' long    
Regards
Bert