FAQ - about DIY bamboo projects & cultivation

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Bamboo Poles
	Phyllostachys by pole
	Tonkin by pole
	FAQ - about bamboo poles
	Phyllostachys Poles by bale
	FAQ - about DIY bamboo projects & cultivation
		Can you treat poles to meet fire code for use in restaurant?
		How can I curve bamboo to make rails for a garden bridge?
		How do I stop spreading bamboo?
		I'd like to line my shower with bamboo. Is this possible?
		I'm builiding a boat. Which bamboo is best for outriggers?
		Is your Tonkin cane suitable for fly rods?
		Some Bamboo Do-It-Yourself Stuff
		What bamboo is best for making a sailboat yard?
		What bamboo should I use to make children's fishing rods?
		Where in Europe can I buy specialty bamboo poles?
		Which bamboo would work for a whisker pole for a yacht?
		How can I frame out a door and window with bamboo?
		Can bamboo be used as stair railings and balustrades?
		How are the bamboo board panels finished?
		Can bamboo be painted?
		Can bamboo of 1" or so diameter be steam bent?
		How can I keep a living bamboo fence from spreading?
		What are some options for making a bamboo wall in my home?
		How costly is it to line a wall with bamboo half-rounds?
		How can I make a bamboo wainscot for a room in my house?
		How do I rip a pole of bamboo? I want to make half-rounds.
		What type of bamboo is best for garden fountains?
		What is a good protective waterproof stain for bamboo?
		Could you attach rolled reed fencing to a cinder block wall?
		How do I tie the Japanese bamboo fencing knot?
		The springy plastic line does not stay tied.
		How can I keep bugs from eating my bamboo?
		My dried bamboo poles have bugs. Can anything be done?
	Black Bamboo by pole
	Iron Bamboo

FAQ - about DIY bamboo projects & cultivation

Can you treat poles to meet fire code for use in restaurant?

The answer is yes, IF. The IF: If the bamboo has been split to half rounds (or smaller) or has a relief cut from end to end. Click the link for more details.

Can bamboo be painted?

Yes and no. The inside of the bamboo is a great wood to paint. The outside skin has a waxy coat that makes painting difficult unless sanded, or until the UV of the sun has weathered it to grey. The paint will not harm the bamboo.

How can I curve bamboo to make rails for a garden bridge?

There are two practical ways to do this. The first way works best if you have access to live bamboo. The second way will work with pre-cut bamboo poles. Click for more details.

Can bamboo of 1" or so diameter be steam bent?

Yes. However, the bend can have a radius of no less than 60 diameters or it will buckle. Therefore, for 1" diameter bamboo, a 5' radius is the absolute minimum and might only be possible with green bamboo.

How do I stop spreading bamboo?

The Birmingham News Stopping spread of bamboo can be difficult to do

How can I keep a living bamboo fence from spreading?

Tips for controlling the growth of bamboo.

I'd like to line my shower with bamboo. Is this possible?

Yes, in theory, although it may take a fair bit of work to get the construction approved by your local building inspectors. Click the link for more details.

What are some options for making a bamboo wall in my home?

There are two reasonably economical options. The first is to cover the wall with bamboo slat wall coverings. The latter involves covering the wall with half-rounds of bamboo. Click the link for more details on each.

I'm builiding a boat. Which bamboo is best for outriggers?

The best poles for outriggers are Bambusa tulda. You might also be able to use Dendrocalamus strictus. Freight for poles of the correct length is likely to be high. Contact us if you need help finding a (more) local supplier.

How costly is it to line a wall with bamboo half-rounds?

The diameter of the bamboo makes a difference. If you use small diameter bamboo the bamboo cost is less but it takes more labor to put it up. The cost per sq foot is about $3.25 for 2” bamboo. The weight is 1.25 lb./sq. ft.

Is your Tonkin cane suitable for fly rods?

Yes, we have the same Tonkin cane that Orvis uses.

How can I make a bamboo wainscot for a room in my house?

Contains ideas and finishing information for a wainscot made of bamboo half-rounds.

Some Bamboo Do-It-Yourself Stuff

Some tips on designing and building your own structures out of bamboo.

How do I rip a pole of bamboo? I want to make half-rounds.

This is fairly straightforward. Fashion a vee-shaped jig with the bottom of vee aligned with the table saw blade. Have a catcher to receive the halves and run it through being careful not to twist as you go.

What bamboo is best for making a sailboat yard?

Ideally you would use a single (unspliced) pole of Phyllostachys nigra "Henon" bamboo. Freight for a pole of the correct length is likely to be high. Contact us if you need help finding a (more) local supplier.

What type of bamboo is best for garden fountains?

Tonkin cane is thick-walled and more crack resistant than most types of bamboo. Its color will be a creamy yellow white.

What bamboo should I use to make children's fishing rods?

Although adult fishing rods commonly use Tonkin poles, I think for children's rods you will be happier with tapered Phyllostachys poles.

What is a good protective waterproof stain for bamboo?

Cabot Australian Timber Oil for hardwood decks and outdoor furniture. It comes in at least three colors, natural, mahogany, and a sort of pecan.

Where in Europe can I buy specialty bamboo poles?

There are several places that grow bamboo, although they typically do not market poles for sale in the same manner we do. They are worth contacting for information. Click the link for more details.

Could you attach rolled reed fencing to a cinder block wall?

Yes, rolled fencing may be attached to a cement or cinder block wall. It will take some initial preparation. Click the link for more details.

Which bamboo would work for a whisker pole for a yacht?

The ideal would be a pole of Phyllostachys nigra "Henon" that is at least 3 years since shooting, is 5 cm at the butt, and 4.2 meters long, straight, and a first cut. Click for more details.

How do I tie the Japanese bamboo fencing knot?

There are several bamboo fencer knot. More information on this topic will be available soon.

How can I frame out a door and window with bamboo?

Several different ways of doing this come to mind.

The springy plastic line does not stay tied.

Use a heat gun or hair drier to fuse the knots.

Can bamboo be used as stair railings and balustrades?

Cracking of the bamboo makes this inadvisable. Click the link for more details.

How can I keep bugs from eating my bamboo?

Some tips for making bamboo poles resistant to bamboo powder post beetle infestations. If you already have a beetle problem, see the FAQ further down.

How are the bamboo board panels finished?

Gives information about the finish of our bamboo board panels, especially as pertains to heavy-duty use (such as in a kitchen).

My dried bamboo poles have bugs. Can anything be done?

Here's some advice for coping with an existing infestation of powder post beetle.