Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: R H Clark on July 02, 2009, 12:06:39 am

Title: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: R H Clark on July 02, 2009, 12:06:39 am: I'm about to cut some local bamboo and need to know the proper way to cure it.

Does it need to be split?

Out of the sun?

Sealed in any way?

Any help appreciated
Randy
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: kiwijim on July 02, 2009, 06:28:54 am: I just split each pole in half and put them in a dry place for a year or so. I'm sure you could speed dry though. I had some poles that I did not split and they got bad sap stain and became very brittle

-James
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 02, 2009, 09:51:05 am: How big is your local stuff Randy?

I have cut it in strips on a bandsaw in the past. Some would cup up as it dried and be unusable, some would dry flat, never could figure out why. I have always stored mine in an attic. Don't store it in a basement because it will get moldy and be ruined, I found out the hard way.

Here is what happens when you use bamboo that has been stored in a basement then put in a drying box.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/frankenbowboom.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: R H Clark on July 02, 2009, 11:57:35 am: Eric
I cut 3 pieces 2 days ago that I'm not sure are large enough. Two are 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" diam.but one 7' trunk section I cut is aprox 3" diam.

I was over at Chad's a couple days ago and he is trying to get permission to cut some not far from him.Chad showed me a piece that his brother had cut.I didn't measure it but it was larger than any I had cut,maby 3-1/2" to 4" diam.

I've just got them out of the sun and off the ground right now under an open shed. Should I cut them in half or split them? I thought about poping a chalk line and cutting in half with a jig saw.
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: mullet on July 02, 2009, 12:23:50 pm: I just quarter them and put them in the shop till they dry.
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: Parnell on July 02, 2009, 01:13:25 pm: What's a good rule of thumb on diameter to get useful strips for backing? Scoping out this black bamboo and would really like to use it. Is 2.5 to 3 inches doable by the time it's thinned?

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Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: markinengland on July 02, 2009, 03:15:05 pm: Just split it. It should split very easily.
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 02, 2009, 08:01:39 pm: 4" is the minimum I would cut for backing.
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: mullet on July 02, 2009, 08:55:58 pm: That black bamboo looks wide enough for using with Ipe. That is some good looking Bamboo.
Title: Re: How do I cure bamboo?
Post by: Timo on July 03, 2009, 08:02:28 am: I let some dry in the shop for a couple weeks,then layed it in the sun to bleach out for a couple days, golden color now.