Wet towel method - to prevent green bamboo work from warping

[vijay kumar kunchum]

While going through some bamboo literature, I have come across a technique for wobble free bamboo joints called " wet towel technique" I have not been able to figure out what and how this technique works. I prefer to work with green bamboo. But as you all know once the bamboo dries, the furniture inspite of all the effort is not up to the mark. The chairs rock and roll.
I am trying to use steel pipe sleeves with blind nut inserts so that I can make modular furniture. This method shows promise. But a lot of work needs to be done to get that perfect fit and finish.

Where I live two species of bamboo are available. One is called " Sadhanam" in the local lingo otherwise known as Dendro calamatus strictus. The other is known as " Mullem" in the local language.I always keep forgetting the species name for this bamboo.:o .
Can anyone help me with the technique called the wet towel.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi vijay,
The wet towel method is used when drying pieces of green wood to keep the humidity level high and slow down the drying so that the wood doesn't crack or warp, but I am not familiar doing this with bamboo.

Here's an article by billswoodcreations that explains this technique with lathe work:
Turning Green Wood (http://billswoodcreations.com/turn-green.html)

Also in basketry weaving, this is used to keep the split pieces flexible while working with them.

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Regarding the two species in your area ...
Dendrocalamus strictus - this is the species with almost solid culms

Mullem - could this be the one called Muli bamboo or another species?
See from MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT NAME DATABASE >Sorting Melocanna names:
Melocanna baccifera (http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Melocanna.html#baccifera)

Can you provide pictures of these bamboos?

Mark