Steve Slatin on sat 3 jul 04
Hi --
I'm trying to make some bamboo trim tools and having some problems -- hope some
other potter on this list has done the same work and solved the problem.
I couldn't find a 'traditional' bamboo trim tool in the local stores -- I bought a length
of bamboo from a garden store, and cut lengths with a circular saw. Then I notched
the base of several lengths with the saw, and used a metal wedge to split the
bamboo. Then I cut the angles I wanted to experiment with again using the circular
saw.
At this point I have several promising tool blanks, roughly shaped and sized as I
want them, but the splinters on the pieces are simply murderous. I don't know
what step to take to smooth the edges -- am thinking possibly a wood file, or
maybe a belt sander.
Has anyone else done this before? What works best?
Thanks in advance --
Steve Slatin -- Entry-level potter, journeyman loafer, master obfuscator
Sequim, Washington, USA
48.0937°N, 123.1465°W or thereabouts
---------------------------------
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Ivor and Olive Lewis on sun 4 jul 04
Dear Steve Slatin,
Good thing to make your own.
I have found that when the bamboo is split it tends to splinter and
the edges of the slivers are razor sharp. These can be dressed of with
a craft knife and the edge finally sanded smooth and radiussed with
garnet paper.
If you dress the cutting edge, always work so that the sharp edge
leads the stroke.and the outer skin of the bamboo is uppermost. This
gives a clean edge, free from stray fibres which can leave unwanted
texture on the clay.
Have fun.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.
.
Donald G. Goldsobel on sun 4 jul 04
Steve,
I like to use a full sheet of sandpaper stuck to a board or bat with contact
cement. I hone the bamboo, rather than trying to use tools on the fixed
position bamboo. The edges will smooth and you get good sharp edges for
cutting tools.
Good luck
Donald
Subject: Making Bamboo tools
Ron Roy on sun 4 jul 04
Hi Steve,
A belt sander - clamped upsidedown on a table - works perfect.
RR
>I'm trying to make some bamboo trim tools and having some problems -- hope some
>other potter on this list has done the same work and solved the problem.
>
>I couldn't find a 'traditional' bamboo trim tool in the local stores -- I
>bought a length
>of bamboo from a garden store, and cut lengths with a circular saw. Then
>I notched
>the base of several lengths with the saw, and used a metal wedge to split the
>bamboo. Then I cut the angles I wanted to experiment with again using the
>circular
>saw.
>
>At this point I have several promising tool blanks, roughly shaped and
>sized as I
>want them, but the splinters on the pieces are simply murderous. I don't know
>what step to take to smooth the edges -- am thinking possibly a wood file, or
>maybe a belt sander.
>
>Has anyone else done this before? What works best?
>
>Thanks in advance --
>
>
>Steve Slatin -- Entry-level potter, journeyman loafer, master obfuscator
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
Lee Love on sun 4 jul 04
Steve Slatin wrote:
>At this point I have several promising tool blanks, roughly shaped and sized as I
>want them, but the splinters on the pieces are simply murderous. I don't know
>what step to take to smooth the edges -- am thinking possibly a wood file, or
>maybe a belt sander.
>
Steve,
I use a fine toothed handsaw to cut my bamboo. There are no
splinters.
A belt sander would work to shape the bamboo. I use an angle
grinder.
--
in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://journals.fotki.com/togeika/Mashiko/ Commentary On Pottery
Mike Martino on sun 4 jul 04
Steve,
Sounds like you're having lots of fun!
A benchtop belt or disc sander works great for shaping and smoothing. I also
have a benchtop bandsaw that I use to get me closer to the final tool shape,
it saves me volumes of dust coming off of the sander. In any case, you'll
definitely want a dustmask.
Good luck!
Mike Martino
Taku, Japan
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of Steve Slatin
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 3:56 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Making Bamboo tools
Hi --
I'm trying to make some bamboo trim tools and having some problems -- hope
some
other potter on this list has done the same work and solved the problem.
I couldn't find a 'traditional' bamboo trim tool in the local stores -- I
bought a length
of bamboo from a garden store, and cut lengths with a circular saw. Then I
notched
the base of several lengths with the saw, and used a metal wedge to split
the
bamboo. Then I cut the angles I wanted to experiment with again using the
circular
saw.
At this point I have several promising tool blanks, roughly shaped and sized
as I
want them, but the splinters on the pieces are simply murderous. I don't
know
what step to take to smooth the edges -- am thinking possibly a wood file,
or
maybe a belt sander.
Has anyone else done this before? What works best?
Thanks in advance --
Steve Slatin -- Entry-level potter, journeyman loafer, master obfuscator
Sequim, Washington, USA
48.09370N, 123.14650W or thereabouts
---------------------------------
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New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
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