How to prevent cracks/splits on large dia bamboo musical instruments

[Barry]

I found good information about binding flute-sized bamboo such as
Monty's page. (http://www.shakuhachi.com/Y-BindingRepair.html)

My question is, what can I do for large (4-5 inch diameter) bamboo to keep it from splitting?
Would this binding technique be effective on bamboo this large?
Has anyone done this, and what type of cord would be most effective?

I was also thinking of oiling the interior to help prevent splitting.
Does the interior of bamboo absorb finishing oils such as danish oil?
I've heard of using mineral oil, but I'm interested in something that polymerizes to form a harder finish (because it seems to me it would hold the bamboo together better).

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I have a set of tongue drums I made several years ago from 4-5" diameter bamboo, and they are starting to split (after a move from CA to MA).
Thanks.
Barry

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Barry,
I think the biggest factor to controlling splitting, apart from species and harvest age, has to do with the condition of the materials at hand.

Crack/splitting resistance can be increased through the drying /curing process... Unfortunately we don't always have fresh harvested bamboo to work with.
Here's a thread that dwells on this subject...

Heat Curing / Tempering Bamboo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=338)

Yes, as you mentioned, climate changes certainly have an affect on dried bamboo. A few of my naturally dried big diameter P.n.Henon poles that I have inside for storage started vocalizing (POP!) when we recently turned the heat on, combined with lower humidity brought on by dry colder winter temperatures.
Overall, heat tempering will either reveal a hidden tension and cause a split, or if done during the initial drying stages, heat can relax and diffuse tension points in the bamboo, so that when it cools and dries, the tension within is more evenly distributed...

Mark