Splitting/regluing bamboo for flutemaking?

[Music Maker]

I know that the nodes can simply be burned/knocked out, but I was wondering if splitting works too (and gluing back together afterwards), as I am interested in making a Native American style flute from bamboo. North American tribes would split a section of a tree branch in order to hollow out the bore, subsequently fastening the two hollowed out halves, each with two separate chambers, back together again. To me, the advantage of having two halves to work with mainly comes up when you're making the Slow Air Chamber hole and the True Sound Hole (SAC and TSH). These are the two holes sitting on top of the flute, on either side of the plug underneath (or in this case the node). I just find it easier to work on these holes from both sides, inside and out, especially the TSH since it has to be perfectly flat and smooth, and a sharp 45-degree angle--it's too hard to see if you can't come at it from underneath.

So what is the best method of splitting bamboo into two even halves, with a minimum loss of material? I'm looking for a method that would allow the walls to seal back together nicely, possibly without leaving much of a visible seam.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Music Maker,
The main difference between wood and bamboo is that the outer 'skin' of the bamboo is often integral to finish of the instrument.
Making a saw cut down the length of the bamboo will result in the loss of some material and later re-gluing the sections will result in a change in the circular roundness of the tube.
You would then need to sand some of the outer surface to obtain a flush finish.
This would be an interesting experiment to try out.

Splitting the bamboo lengthwise might result in some frayed fibers making it difficult to glue the pieces back later.

My only experience cutting and rejoining the two parts is in the making of these ...
Bamboo Shakers / Rhythum Sticks
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-126f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=611&cat=527&ppuser=1) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-125f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=610&cat=527&ppuser=1)

... using a thin bladed bandsaw to make the cut.
But it didn't matter in this situation after making the cut that the caps were slightly smaller.

Mark

[Music Maker]

Are those ball bearings in that first picture? What materials do you prefer, in terms of sound, for that "shaker" project? It looks pretty cool, maybe you could start a thread about it...?

Have you tried making full-size rainsticks?

I also have a band saw with a thin blade. I think that will be the easiest method to try first, and see how it looks in the end, after I've glued it. Will try to harvest some soon...

[Mark Meckes]

It looks pretty cool, maybe you could start a thread about it...?

Good idea ... A copy of your post has been moved to this thread:
Bamboo Shakers Scrapers Rattle and Roll (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=456)

... which I'll reply to soon :)

I also have a band saw with a thin blade. I think that will be the easiest method to try first, and see how it looks in the end, after I've glued it. Will try to harvest some soon...
For making straight cuts, a bandsaw blade with a wider width is better as it's less likely to veer off course.
Here's a simple jig which I've used to make lengthwise cuts ...
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/510/thumbs/1MVC-034F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=518)
See Thread: Sawing bamboo lengthwise with a bandsaw (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=382)

Mark

[Music Maker]

I harvested some already-brown bamboo, though I didn't touch the stuff that had already fallen, since most of it seemed to have cracks.

Is there anything else I need to do before I can start splitting it and making it into a flute?

Some people on a NAF-making forum are telling me that it should be dried for a number of months and heat-treated before I proceed. However, I think they are more used to working with river cane to make flutes, and I'm not sure how differently it behaves compared to bamboo...? I also think they assumed my recently-harvested pieces were still green, so maybe I don't need to wait any further for drying after all? In the pic you posted for splitting with a band saw, the bamboo was green, so I'm not sure what the problem is.

I've also seen posts on here somewhere about oven-drying and torch-drying. Do those methods work just as well?

[Mark Meckes]

Hi, when I'm out and about in the 'real world' USA, I meet bamboo flute makers - more so by far than any other bamboo trade... maybe this is because they can easily carry their work with them. ;)
Not being a flute maker/player myself, (though a tinkerer in other things bamboo), I get to be the one who asks the questions :)

Having seen many flutes made in many ways, what I can sum up is that if someone says you can't do this or that, or should do this or that ... there is someone out there who has proof in the pudding that it can be done to the contrary.
What I haven't yet met is a flute maker who is knowledgeable about ALL bamboos. Usually I find that their knowledge is based on the use of a few species obtained from specific regional locations and environmental conditions and types of instruments.
Unless you wish to focus on a traditional methodology, I would suggest keeping an open mind, explore different techniques and see where it leads.
Use your freedom of expression to it's advantage. One of these days you may find yourself stuck in the same old way of doing things.

It might be a good idea to split your questions on drying/heat treating into a new thread as opinions vary considerably on this topic.

Mark

[Music Maker]

I would suggest keeping an open mind, explore different techniques and see where it leads.
Use your freedom of expression to it's advantage. One of these days you may find yourself stuck in the same old way of doing things.

Good advice, thanks.

You're right that some people get stuck in their ways, and then assume that there isn't any other way. I have found success in the past simply doing things my own way, trusting my intuition. Not 100% success, but I do indeed seem more likely to come up with novel methods. I'm glad you share the view that this will bear the most fruit in the long run.