Cutting out a one sided slot in a small dia. bamboo using a jigsaw

[Mark Meckes]

This photo shows the set up prior to making the cut, showing the jig saw (sabre saw) using a shortened blade to accommodate a 1 1/2" (about 4cm) diameter Phyllostachys aurea.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/medium/JSawSlotCut070319-5681.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1722)

Holes were drilled to insert the blade for cutting the slot.
The bamboo was securely clamped to the work table with a 'quick grip' clamp.
As the reciprocating length of stroke of this jigsaw is 1" (2.5cm), the extended blade portion was broken off to about 1 1/4" (3cm) using a vice grip/pliers, so as to not touch or damage the opposite side of the 1 1/2" (5cm) bamboo. After breaking the blade end, if necessary tap the end with a hammer to make sure it's straight.
As such, the minimum diameter bamboo that this method can be cut out on one side using this method is around 1 1/2" (5cm).

The jig saw used here is the bottom of the line (cheapest) Black and Decker jigsaw.
Reciprocating back and forth cutting action (length of stroke) will vary with different makes and models, and this will determine the minimum diameter bamboo that can be cut on one side using this method.

I used this blade to make the cut:
Bosch U shank jigsaw blades U101A - 20 TPI
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3821.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1495)

However a wider blade is easier to make long straight cuts.
Though a blade with fewer TPI (teeth per Inch) will make faster cuts, finer- more TPI blades like the types used for cutting metal will make smoother cuts with less fraying and splintering on the edges of the cut, and the slower cutting speed gives more control during the cutting procedure.

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

Another method which I must try out ... and doesn't require making the blade shorter, is to clamp the bamboo between 2 boards of which the height of the boards is sufficient so that the tip of the blade doesn't touch the opposite inner wall of the bamboo piece being cut.
The jigsaw would then rest on the 2 boards as the cut is being made.

In theory ... or if the bamboo was of even width along the entire length to be cut, one could add a guide rail that the jig saw base plate followed along while making the cut.

Mark

[greg kono]

Another method to raise the blade without breaking or cutting it is to cut a block of wood the same size as your jigsaw base plate, cut a v-notch around the blade area and stick it to the base plate with double sided carpet tape.