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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: OkKeith on January 19, 2020, 04:34:36 PM
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With the recent thread on I-beams, I have been contemplating how I would glue up my own riser blocks/blanks and what material to use. I know G10 is popular but that stuff is kinda expensive to experiment with. I have access to various domestic hardwoods and considered Ash, Osage and Walnut for the I-beam material.
I was at the Habitat for Humanity outlet the other day (they sell their left over rehab and building material). I wasn't looking for anything specific. I just stop in on occasion to see what they have. There was a box or two of bamboo flooring. How well would it laminate with an I-beam to make a take-down riser? Would it glue-up with Smooth-on and some time in the hotbox and could be used without an I-beam?
I think I have seen where builders have used the bamboo flooring as laminates in limb stacks but I don't know anything about how sturdy it might be in a riser.
Thoughts?
OkKeith
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Probably will depend on how it's made. I've seen some that is laminated flat and it doesn't look like it would work. My terminology here is not good! Gotta be someone here who grinds lams from it. They would know.
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Hey Mike...
From just a quick web search it looks like there are a couple of types. From what I have read the "strand" type of flooring might be the better option. I didn't pick any of the boards up the other day to look at the end grain. I also don't know if the bamboo is just a surface laminate and the rest of the board is MDF or the like.
OkKeith
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I once used strand bamboo flooring for lams. It’s very splintery and doesn’t look great, but the bow still shoots. The laminated flooring looks better and is stronger, but having said that, I don’t use flooring bamboo any more.
Dave.
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Vertical is what I use for Lams, it's solid bamboo, I think Horizontal is just the top layer.
I made a riser with it one time, not very good looking. And you don't know what kind of glue they use.
when you make lams out of it , it's sandwiched in between the glass.
https://www.bambooflooringcompany.com/bamboo-flooring-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-horizontal-and-vertical-bamboo-flooring/
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I would choose some else for a riser block. Al though in a one piece with an Ibeam would prolly be ok
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I only used boo flooring in my bows,and always vertical laminated stuff. Unable to source it here now , most strand woven stuff which is no use in laminations. Once tried making arrow shafts out of off cuts. Came out like wet noodles!. Flex a bend in it and it would stay bent , no memory at all!.
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I order mine from Lowes online (nothing at the store) and pick it up at the store.
Vertical
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Unfortunately I am in the land down under, Mad Max.It is all strand woven now.IMO not suitable for my needs.