Bamboo woodworking tools

Do not use green, fresh cut bamboo. Bamboo has to be completely dry before using it in construction preferable air dried. During the drying process the bamboo diameter shrinks, so when bamboo is used in joinery this will result in lose and weak joints after a few weeks. Do not use bamboo when it is less then 3 years of age. Only use mature bamboo of years. Do not use bamboo infected by insects powder beetle for example. Bamboo has to be properly cured with a boron mix immediately after harvesting.

Do not use bamboo that has flourished. Rest assured bamboo only flourishes once in a lifetime years. Do not use bamboo poles with profound vertical cracks. Use appropriate cuts and joints when building with bamboo. Use bamboo with the right diameter and wall thickness for your project. Do not use conventional wood nails in bamboo joinery, they will cause the bamboo to split. Instead use nylon, steel or vegetal cord of the appropriate diameter.

When using bamboo as a column make sure that the lower part connecting with the surface ends with a node. If not the bamboo will splinter when struck for example to position the column.

When connecting bamboo poles with bolts , make sure to bolt them together in between 2 nodes, otherwise the bamboo may crush. More about utilizing the nodes below In construction , using bamboo nodes is very important. Bamboo columns or beams need to have a node at both ends or as close as possible towards the ends , if not the pressure of a structure on the joint may crush the bamboo. Often it isn't possible to find bamboo of the required length with both end nodes in place. When this occurs you should insert a wooden cylinder of the appropriate diameter or a fitting piece of bamboo with a node.

As you can see in the illustration below, making basic cuts in bamboo doesn't require expensive or heavy power tools, just a few traditional hand tools will work fine. Making good and aesthetically pleasing bamboo joints is rather complicated because bamboo is hollow, tapered, has nodes at varying distances, and it is not perfectly circular. It is important to keep all these constraints in mind when designing a bamboo joint. Although traditions, local practices and publications give some information on bamboo joinery, this information is far from complete as essential data is missing in most cases.

Many traditional joinery techniques suffer from weakness or deformation , where the strength of the bamboo culm itself is lost. Before bamboo gets widely adopted in modern architecture and becomes affordable for all to use , the problem with bamboo joints and universal joining systems has to be solved.

After all, timber, steel, and more recently prefabricated concrete, only became proper building materials for the same reasons. How many cumbersome solutions for joints have one seen, before these materials became a standard in construction? Only if the problem with bamboo joinery can be satisfactorily addressed, and simplified , we can expect to see much more bamboo in Western buildings, bridges and furniture. Below you'll find some examples and illustrations of traditional bamboo joinery techniques.

Joint with one or two ears. For example, you can save money with the use of a secondary wood, as shown in the photo at left. Here, a less expensive wood maple is used for the drawer sides. Similar savings would be gained by using bamboo for the visible parts of a project but constructing the case from a secondary wood. Another option is to use readily available hardwoods throughout ut a project and apply bamboo veneer to a few select parts.

Bamboo veneer is available in 4' x 8' sheets in thicknesses from 0. Often a small but prominent detail is enough to convey the style you want. Drawer knobs, door handles, legs, trim, and even inlays can be made from bam- boo to create unique features. The end grain of bamboo can be quite noticeable, especially on big panels photos at right.

Bamboo may not be right for every project. Red oak has long been the go-to hardwood for furniture building, flooring, and a myriad of other uses in the United States. But the recent surge in popularity of bamboo has allowed it to gain a foothold in the marketplace. As the chart at right shows, many of the attributes that have long made oak a favorite among craftsmen and consumers is equaled and in some cases, surpassed by bamboo.

Taking into consideration the fact that bamboo can be harvested in as little as seven years without harming the plant, bamboo almost seems too good to be true.

But, like any product, bamboo has its downsides. Lower grades of bamboo may be susceptible to dents and scratches. Also, potentially toxic chemicals can be added during the processing phase of bamboo imported from some countries.

So the reliability of the manufacturer should be a consideration when selecting a product. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. Dexter Russell. Dubuque Clamp Works. Grace USA. Hults Bruk. Japan Woodworker. Rob Cosman. Spring Tools. La Cible. Nifty Home Products, Inc. Wood is Good. Deer Brand. Lumber Wizard. M Power. Osborne Leather Working. Show More. Featured Clearance. Ships From Woodcraft. Woodcraft - Special Order.

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