Bamboo framework joinery techniques

[Mark Meckes]

by Tribal Wind
What are your favorite methods for making joints and binding things together?

Right now I'm working on my Mitering skills..lol. not an easy thing to do with round stuff. I'm trying to make picture frames for my scroll-saw works like this one (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=475)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/522/thumbs/124heart-kanji-bamboo.jpg

(this was just butted together,no miter)
but its tough lining up both angles to match perfect when there isn't a flat side to line up with.. i need to come up with a jig or something.??? anyone have sugestions?????!


Here's a
Gadget for duplicating the curvature of bamboo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=476)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/509/thumbs/1031214-530F.JPG

~ Mark

[Mark Meckes]

One method to do a picture frame using 45 degree angle cuts, and getting the pieces to match evenly is to use one pole and work your way around the frame.
Of course the pole can't have any taper to it or the last cut won't be flush.
TW, I'm assuming that your pic ...
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/522/thumbs/124heart-kanji-bamboo.jpg

... Is attached by a slot in the bamboo?

This is a good use for those pieces of bamboo that split open and form a gap down the entire length of the pole.

~ Mark

[TribalWind]

Hi mark!
been a while. thanks for the comments on mitering, and on my piece :)

Yes,exactly, i torched the bamboo, then with a PVC pipe-cutter (with the blade inside the bamboo) i split it through 1 side,,,it was super tight in this case, so i split a little bit off one edge all the way down, and that worked,

thats a good way of mitering you mentioned, though won't you stil have to deal with getting the beginning and end to match right? well least its just 1 corner to fuss with.
what ways do you prefer to join the corners? wold just some glue work, a certain type maybe? i know 'gorilla glue' holds very well but haven't tried in this situation yet.

i'm remodeling my bedroom/closet and am thinking of ways to incorporate Bamboo. i'll be building the closet into my computer/office niche..maybe bamboo shelving,or just as trim and molding,hm, something to ponder!
since i won't have a closet for clothes an longer i'm thinking instead of a bulky wall unit thing, i'll build something with bamboo, maybe similar to those clothes racks on wheels (but not)

this's getting off-topic, i will start a new thread for it when i've got more ideas,and energy left.. HAPPY NEW YEAR BAMBUSEROS !! :)

[Mark Meckes]

Thanks for bringing in the new year!!!!
HELLLLOOO 2004!!!
I think there's going to be a lot of bamboo joinery going on this year!
The variations and styles of joinery techniques is immense, just like networking, there's a lot of ways to do it.

As with `bamboo framework'... some principles about making miniature picture frames, are the same as for prefabricated walls for houses, where as the style or technique could be quite different, though liquid nails, or lock-tight mortises...
Best wishes,
Mark

[TribalWind]

i'm glad we can all 'join' together here :)
your forums provide the framework of our Culmunity

[Mark Meckes]

Well I quess joinery is all about finding ways of linking things together!
Some designs can be made to enable being taken apart, some can be adjustable, and others need to be permanently afixed.

I want to make more garden fences that are made into framed sections, that can be easily replaced in later years, though I do like to just go out into the garden and stick some poles in the garden, maybe with the addition of some metal post stakes, and just keep building up and adding on to a fence piece by piece.
Perhaps the same could be said about other kinds of framing, where one could make a complete section of trimwork to specs before attaching,... or one could add each piece - one by one, directly to the project, cutting each piece to fit the other along the way....
Mark