handlebarmike
24th January 2009, 02:52 PM
Hello - I am new to this web page and the forums, so first of all hi to everyone and I just want to say this seems like a marvelous resource. I am planning on building a palapa in the back yard. I have found many sources for the bamboo and thatched roofing material. My biggest concern is the joinery and understanding the structural needs of the roof design. I have read through some of the forums already, and there is some good info indeed. I like the idea of through-bolted joints, and it seems that filling the joint with mortar is the thing to do. I saw one illustration, but I'm not clear how to get the mortar into the bamboo on some joint configurations. I'm open to any ideas or references to good sources of info for information on joinery in general. Some of the bamboo suppliers suggest a screw that they say is made for bamboo, but that just seems under-engineered to me, and I am a big proponent of over-engineering. I am a competent woodworker, but have never worked with bamboo before this. I can handle the work and I have the tools (well, a guy can never have all the tools, and an excuse to buy a new tool is always welcome). I'm looking forward to hearing from some of you! Thanks - Mike