Bamboo, Planing and Flattening

[Blackie76]

I know 3rivers sells it already prepared but I wanted to know if anyone here has had success preparing their own bamboo backings.  My neighbor has a ton of 20' tall bamboo growing on his property and frequently tells me to help myself.

 

this pic is just a small section of his bamboo forest

[Pat B]

That boo will work for backing but its diameter is small so your backing strip will be less than 1" wide. What you need for good backing strips is 4" to 6" in diameter.

[wood carver 2]

I didn't know large bamboo grows this far north!
I've been buying bamboo from my local garden centre when I can get it. If you're cutting your own, I've heard that you should cut bamboo that is 2 or 3 years old because it is stronger than new growth. Once it's dry it can be split. I hit one end with a big chisel and then work my way down the length of the pole using that chisel and another one to pry it apart. You can also use a big knife like a machete and drive it through with a mallet. Once I have it split into sections around 2" wide, I knock out the wood that fills the space at the nodes with a hammer. From here on you have to be careful because it's easy to get hurt. I use the table saw to get the edges straight and parallel, then I take it to the planer. Use some kind of push blocks with handles to run the boo over the planer. It doesn't pay to have your fingers real close to the blades. Some guys thin it down on a belt sander, but mine leaves a bit of a rounded surface. I set the planer for a minimal depth of cut and I go over and over till I reach the thickness I want. You will want bamboo that is as large in diameter as you can get. The bigger it is, the flatter the splits will be. I'm lucky if I can get 4", but I won't use anything less than 3".
One thing I heard is that bamboo dust can be a hazard so use a dust collector if you have one or wear a mask.
Have fun!    
Dave.

[KellyG]

If it is not big enough could you just lay it in strips from tip to tip? Like sinew kind of but in long strips.

[mwirwicki]

KellyG:  Well, that would be interesting!  I think I'm gonna have to try that.  It would look different, also.  Wonder if you'd have to line up the nodes.  Hmmm...gonna have to ponder that some more.  Won't know until I try.  I'll have to add it to my list of experiments.

[Roy from Pa]

Kelly, what am I gonna do with ya son?  No I don't believe that would work. MW let us know how it works out..

[KellyG]

Well ya could take fishing or hunting those are always good things to do.    
I was just wondering I really dont see why that would not work if you cut it into thing strips get down to that 1/8" thinkness, then glue on full lenght strips trim edges. Was just wondering is all.
It would make for a differnt back.
Kelly

[Pat B]

In one of the TBB series (maybe  chapter on backings) they talk about using thin strips of boo like window blinds are made of, and laying them down side by side. No reason it wouldn't work.

[KellyG]

I thought I had read it some where but was unsure.
Thanks Pat

[PEARL DRUMS]

I wouldnt want anymore than two edges on any boo backer I was working with. Strips equal many exposed edges, yucky! PM mag had a great 3-4 page article on processing live boo to strips. Im thinking it takes about 3 years from green to backing.