Cutting out the nodal diaphragm with a reciprocating saw

[Mark Meckes]

I recently bought a jigsaw (reciprocating saw) to cut out some plywood sheets.
I've never tried using a jigsaw to cut bamboo, so I decided to try it out on a piece of newly acquired, hurricane felled, Louisiana grown Moso bamboo - Phyllostachys edulis (P.heterocycla pubescens)...

With all the necessary elements in place, (and the sun setting fast), I had just enough time to `give it a whirl' cutting out a culm node diaphragm! (also called nodal septum or stops in some circles ...

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoJgsw-288.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=38) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoDiaClm-294.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=41) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoDiaphm-292.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=40)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoJgsw-289.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=39) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoJgsw-287.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=37) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/1MosoJgsw-286.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=36)

[Mark Mortimer]

I've found hole saws are great for getting round septums. Actually they are a bi-product. But then I never found a use for them. I used to just keep one in my pocket and feel it occasionally. that's about it.

[Mark Meckes]

I agree... there is something very special about the texture and feel of this material.
It's of a different consistency then any other part of the bamboo...has a different sound to it too.
Here's a pic of a pendant made from one ...
Hearty Nodal Diaphragm
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/528/thumbs/1NdeDiaHeart-497.JPG See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=43)