Re: bamboo strips?

Posted by FrankP on Sep 13, 2006

Bamboo, at least in the round is lighter and stronger than carbon tubing of similar diameter. Plenty strong enough and light enough, at least in it's natural state.

Anyone who has picked up a bamboo cutting board, however knows that to make a solid (and flat) surface of this stuff makes it a bit heavier. Most boats will be a quarter the thickness of a cutting board though, so odds are it won't be too bad.

I've been trying to use bamboo as the ribs for a SOF and so far had not much luck with getting an even thickness across the lengths I need. Milling and ripping the bamboo will obviously negate that problem, but it's something to consider when deciding how much material you're going to need, and how you're going to lay it up.

As for bamboo dulling tools, I've noticed that a bit. I can't say it's any worse than some of the hardwoods I use, but it definitely dulls them more than cedar does.

FrankP

In Response to: Re: bamboo strips? by Jim E on Sep 4, 2006

Replies: