Bamboo question

[John Malone]

Hello guys, so I want to prep this bamboo backing strip. How close to finish dimensions do I need to cut the profile so I can sand it down properly. I will need to measure from the center crown area 1/8 in the handle area then to 1/16 at the tips. Its at least half an inch wider than the belly piece so should I cut it real close to profile size so the edges length wise get thinned down?

[Roy from Pa]

Get it flat on the belly side, then draw out the exact profile of the finished bow on that flat surface. Cut it out on a bandsaw close to the line. Then get to the line with sandpaper or palm sander.

Then do the thickness taper.

[John Malone]

Gotcha Roy. Is that what that fellow is doing in your post, hes got something clamped to the table and working it with a palm sander?

[Roy from Pa]

Yes, he cut on bandsaw first, then get to line with palm sander. Then after that it will get tapered from 1/8th to 1/16th.

[John Malone]

My bandsaw needs tires, ill use a coping saw or something.

[Pat B]

Coping saw might rip up splinters on the up stroke on the boo. A rasp might work better or course sandpaper on a wood block.

[Pat B]

oops, I was thinking a jig saw.    

[John Malone]

Belt sander, problem solved.

[John Malone]

He Guys, I cant use the belt or disc sander for the taper, to dangerous. What grit should I sand the boo to? Seems to look good with 80, or does it need to be smoother for some reason? Or do I need to drag a hacksaw blade over it?

[Pat B]

John, TB glues require 2 smooth, well mated glue surfaces. 80grit smooth should be good. Sand it just before glue up so you have a clean surface, just like with the ipe.

[John Malone]

Gotcha Pat, I thought it look good. The inside of that boo is not to much different than wood, in a way.

[mikkekeswick]

There is a knack to doing them on a belt sander. A belt sander is better than using a hand sanding block. I take mine to finished thickness on my big edge sander.
Unless you make some sort of concave form to hold the boo you will end up lossing flatness with a hand block.
Better to stay an 1/8 wide at the tips to give yourself some wiggle room.

[Roy from Pa]

I use my edge sander also. It's tricky and you need to be very careful and watch your fingers.

[BMorv]

Yep the edge sander is the best I've tried.  Used to use the bend sander, then tried the edge sander and like it better.  You have more control and end up with a flatter piece.