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Progcraft · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 7:08 pm Post subject: Bamboo

G'day all.
A local craft store sells bamboo shoots. The whole round shoot. From abround 3/8 to 3/4 inch diameters. About 3 feet long.
Is this the right stuff to buy to make spines and stuff for little kites? It has to be split into little strands right? That seems hard to do.

Thanks
P.
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knotronda · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:27 pm Post subject:

Prog,

I see that several people have peeked at your post but no one has put their two cents worth in. I am by no means an experienced bamboo person. There are better ways than others for splitting bamboo but here is a reference to: www.geocities.com/SoHo/1911/chinese.htm

I couldn't get it to make a link so you will have to type in the address. Anyway, a Google search for 'bamboo splitting' might give you the info you are looking for.

Hope this helps.

KR

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:17 am Post subject:

Spliting bamboo for kites is a learned skill.

Lots of bandaids would be involved if I tried it...

I have split a little bit and am no expert.

Lam Hoac is good at it an so is Dan Kurahashi.

I Think that Dave Butler has done some too.

To learn form a MASTER of small kites get with Yoshizumi San of Kyoto Japan. He comes to some kite events here in the US, and speaks a little english.
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KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Spence602 · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 475 Location: USA TX Houston

I am not a bamboo expert, but I have split my own bamboo (actually Tonkin cane) and made spines out of it.

My opinion is that after splitting a piece of bamboo 3/8 to 3/4 inch in diameter - it is going to produce a very rounded bamboo spine. The 'hard' portion of the bamboo (the outside) will not have a good flat side to use as a spine. It probably will also have many 'joints' that will have to be shaved down to make something usable.

I've found that even bamboo 'tiki' torch bamboo is too weak for many applications.

If you're going to split it and use it as battens, then they should be fine.
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Progcraft · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 12:42 pm Post subject:

I just want to try and make a few miniture box kites.

Thanks for the help all. I'm not sure if I'm going to buy some of this bamboo or not.

P
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There is no box.

dpb · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

I split my own bamboo for miniature kites (I am no Yoshizumi-san).

The 3/4 inch bamboo is fine as a spar unto itself (asuming you need a spar that diameter), but doesn't split well for miniature kites. The bamboo I use is about 3 inches in diameter. The walls are about 3/8's of an inch thick.

Dave
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Cherry Blossoms fall like rain,
A lively kite steals the sky,
Paradise in a moment.

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:49 pm Post subject:

I have some bamboo ageing in my garage. It was about 5" diamater and splits well. Nodes are about 12-15 inches apart

It has been ageing for about 3 years...

Do you want a little????

Come on down and I'll give you some... Shocked

Or PM me your address and I'll ship you a little in a mailing tube or box...

is shorter than a meter OK? just to save on shipping?????
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Progcraft · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject:

KiteSquid · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject:

Internodal distance is one of the top critera for selection of Bamboo for kites.

Also the number and densendy of the "power fibers" comparied to the pith. YOu will also notice that the fibers are closer and therfore more numberous per area as you get closer to the enamal (the skin) of the cane.

BTW Bamboo is nature's verision of Pultruded Car bon Tubes.

If you don't want to work bamboo, Avia makes car bon rods all the way down to 0.020" and you can find them HERE along with other sizes.

Steve also carries car bon ribbons HERE, but the smallest is 0.019" x 0.118".

There is thinner materials on the market but they usualy are wider so you would have to split them or cut them down their length so you would be back a the square one, like splitting bamboo.

Of course I would like to wrap some car bon spars at home but I dont have the tools to do it yet.... Thin wall and small diamater...
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

dpb · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject: