Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Eric Garza on October 17, 2012, 02:24:17 pm

Title: sanding ridges down on bamboo
Post by: Eric Garza on October 17, 2012, 02:24:17 pm

I'll be trying my hand at making a bamboo backed bow, and wonder if I can get away with sanding down the ridges on the bamboo backing? Or should I leave them intact to avoid violating back fibers?

Title: Re: sanding ridges down on bamboo
Post by: Eric Krewson on October 17, 2012, 02:42:47 pm

Nope, leave them intact. Sometimes you can get away with sanding but more then likely you will pop a splinter at the node.

I would suggest you don't scrap the rind off the bamboo either, leaves too many tiny nick and cut marks to cause a failure later. Sand most of the rind off by hand.

Title: Re: sanding ridges down on bamboo
Post by: agd68 on October 17, 2012, 02:51:04 pm

Besides, the ridges add character

Title: Re: sanding ridges down on bamboo
Post by: dmc on October 17, 2012, 03:58:45 pm

Sorry to hijack, but do most people run the backing through a planer in order to thin the backings?

Title: Re: sanding ridges down on bamboo
Post by: kayakfisher on October 17, 2012, 04:07:05 pm

I use a hand block plane elbo grease and a lot of persperation on the belly side