Joinery and Shaping Bamboo
ASK THE EXPERT ADVICE
Links to the Ask the Experts page

Q: Can you explain what are the main ways of joining bamboo for building?

A: You can join bamboo several ways. Generally, the simpler the better. Always remember that bamboo is hollow, and any compression can compromise its integrity.

Through bolts, with wood or other inserts (to prevent crushing) works well. The best method is to fill the voids with cement, let cure, and tighten down. If the stress on the joint is not great, the through bolt alone can work with thick walled, timber bamboo.

Also, mortice and tenon joinery works with bamboo poles of complimentary diameters (the smaller diameter fits into the void diameter of the second). A bamboo branch or other insert keeps the joint together. This is not a rigid, strong joint, nor are others mentioned here. The best strategy for bamboo joinery is to triangulate. Triangles relieve the stress on a joint tremendously, and is just good building.

Wrapping bamboo with galvanized wire on the ends helps prevent the ends from splitting, and greatly increases strength and durability.

Birds-mouth joinery also is done- much work and skill is needed to pull this off- but it looks nice. There are several variations of all techniques mentioned here.

Q: I am making a walking cane and wonder how to bend the handle?

A: You need, fresh, suitable bamboo (diameter, age, species). Green bamboo is bendable; brown, cured, dead bamboo is not. Take a propane torch and gradually heat up the area to be bent. This is the same technique for bending PVC pipe. Gradual, all sides, large area is heated with the torch, being careful not to scorch it.When the bamboo becomes pliable, you will know it- it bends quite easily. Do not force it, rather, heat it up some more. Slightly overbend to the desired configuration as there will be some spring back (judgement call). Let it cool, and you got it.