Logan Oplinger on mon 5 jul 04
On Sat, 3 Jul 2004 11:55:39 -0700, Steve Slatin
wrote:
>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.
>....
>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=B0N, 123.1465=B0W or thereabouts
Hello Steve,
I have used bamboo for making kite frames and pottery tools. For both
small diameter bamboo poles, or battens cut from large diameter bamboo,
when I want to cut across the grain, I first score the outer shell of the
bamboo with a sharp utility knife, making two deep parallel scores along
the line I want to cut. If I want to complete the cut using a saw, I make
the scores a little wider than the saw blade or kerf width, and then cut
between the scores. The scores help prevent the saw teeth from pulling the
shell fibers away from the body of the bamboo. Cut from the outer shell
into the softer bamboo wood. If possible, cut in one direction only (no
back stroke). This is also a method cabinet makers use to prevent
splintering of veneers and laminates. As others have mentioned, a fine
tooth trim saw, or a fine tooth hack saw blade can be used followed up with
trimming using a utility knife or sanding. If you sand, work in one
direction from the outer shell into the softer body wood. For my finest
cuts, I will use a sharp knife exclusively.
| | < parallel score width.
___________ ____________ _outer shell.
-----------\ /------------ -----------| |------------
| | < saw kerf width.
Logan Oplinger
Another Tropical Island
13=B028" n. lat., 114=B045" e. long.
(Where the bamboo is free for the taking!)
Lori Leary on mon 5 jul 04
Hi Steve,
I have had good results cutting bamboo with a band saw.... It seems to
help to wrap a piece of duck tape around the area to be cut. I've
never had too many problems with splinters.
Hope this helps,
Lori L.
Mountain Top, PA
mel jacobson on mon 24 dec 07
i have been lucky...when i taught, the shop class
threw out an old 12 inch disc sander.
i fixed it up...got new discs....and could that baby
shape wood and bamboo.
it taught me to make tools, lots of tools.
i would get scrap walnut, rosewood, maple
and run it through the band saw in various shapes.
cut the angles and shapes on that disc sander.
made stuff for hundreds of kids making pots.
i would stand for an hour in front of that sander.
make a hundred 45 angle tools, bases for needles,
long shaping tools for bottles...just having a ball.
would have saw dust on my glasses frames.
my imagination would run wild.
all the tools made became gifts for the kids...they
never returned them...took them with. they became
their own. soon, kids would be at the sander...making
their own. all sorts of stuff. some days the disc sander
would run all day. it was addictive.
i now have a smaller belt sander. one of those 2 inch i think.
i buy the belts at sears. it is so nice...just for me.
when i go and do workshops i make all new tools...about
twenty different items...leave them at the studio i do my
workshop in...various folks get gifts.
i make the cutoff wires from steel fish line...lots of stuff.
mel
from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
Clayart page link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
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