Subject: Re: [baidarka] Bamboo
From: David E. Sherman/King Con (desq@kingcon.com)
Date: Mon Aug 30 2004 - 07:14:44 EDT
Hi All:
Yes, it's true that bamboo, in its full circumference, will not bend.
Split it, however, and the resulting segments will bend wonderfully. A
heat gun can be persuasive at times. The boat I am STILL finishing has
transverse ribs of strictly bamboo. In the ends, where the turn of the
bilge is sharper, I have built up two ply laminations of thinner bamboo
(using gorilla glue). A sharp crooked knife works wonder while shaving
and shaping the bamboo ribs. I have also run the split out bamboo
segments through a thickness planer although purists will cringe at
that prospect and, for the tool lovers among us, the bamboo is tough on
the planer knives. It's great stuff to work with....love the smell once
you heat it up with the heat gun.
No reason not to use the bamboo in full circumference for the non
arched deck beams but I have not yet thought that through. A piece of
hardwood dowel bonded in the end of the bamboo length will permit
through lashings and, for that matter if the dowel protrudes beyond the
bamboo length, it could serve as a peg or tenon for fixation with the
gunwales.
Have also used a ply of bamboo in my cockpit ring. No report yet on
durability as the vessel, I am sad to say, still resides up in the
studio......too busy cycling and canoe sailing!!!!!!!
Best,
David
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