Shopsmith Forums

I hand make fly rods out of bamboo and have a question for you guys.

Currently I take a round culm of bamboo, split it into roughly 5' long strips that are approximately 1/4" wide. I then hand plane those 1/4" wide strips on two sides to create an equilateral triangle.

Does anyone know how I can mechanize this process on my ShopSmith?

Here's a good picture of what the strips look like after splitting, but before planing them into equilateral triangles.


And here is how they need to look after planing.

Chad,

Interesting project! I'm trying to think of how to mechanize that operation. If you already get one 60-degree face done, then I could imagine a jig to produce the final 60-degree face. But getting the first 60-degree face is what seems more challenging! Any progress?

Hi,

Sorry I'm not going to answer your question, but I did recall a similar posting which I was able to locate at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=1682

Maybe you two could compare notes and processes and teach us a few new tricks.

I also recall this subject coming up over at the routerforums.com site a few years ago... heck I might have even posted a solution I don't recall anymore but it might be worth while looking into.

Use google and enter in the search box something like "bamboo site:www.routerforums.com" or "fly rod site:www.routerfoums.com"

Ed

Seems like your method of splitting and hand planing is a very good choice. This follows the grain of the bamboo - if one can call it grain.

How do you get the first flat surface - is it rived/ split?

Thanks for the replies - very helpful to find another thread on the same topic! I'm going to do a little more research/application and will update this thread when I know more.

Charlese, in the other thread you mention a Sawdust video that I couldn't find. Do you happen to remember which one it was?

Take a look at the Sawdust session (I believe it is the second one about the OPR) Using the idea for a "Floating Table" you can make one, hang it over the SS table, and clamp it down. Then you could have your router bit below the table! A Much safer position.

Hi Chad! I can't remember the context of the thread, but I'll look for it.

BTW - been thinking of how to make the triangles out of bamboo. (A plant I know nothing about). I'm fairly sure it is a monocot and reacts to splitting somewhat better milling or cutting with a knife. (On the other hand, I know they make flooring out of it - sorry - don't know how it mills)

Thinking along the splitting line - Maybe it would be possible for a local machinist to manufacture a small triangle shaped chisel. If such a chisel could be mounted in a metal plate (by the machinist) and put into a vise - maybe you could pull bamboo through that triangle. This would be like an extruded triangular strip of bamboo. This would be like riving chair rungs or splitting wood shakes.

nebraska wrote:Thanks for the replies - very helpful to find another thread on the same topic! I'm going to do a little more research/application and will update this thread when I know more.

Charlese, in the other thread you mention a Sawdust video that I couldn't find. Do you happen to remember which one it was?

Yep, but first had to find the threads by easterngray to see what the heck I was talking about. Found them by searching for the word, bamboo.

Now, here's what you are looking for: Go to Sawdust session #4 http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm load up #2 about the OPR - then look at #4 on the blackboard. You will find plans for the large sliding table.

The dimensions will be different because you will want your table to fit on the Mark V's main table instead of the OPR table.

The important part is the 3" cutout on the edge. In the Horizontal mode, a router bit will fit into this slot, and you can rout from below the workpiece.

You may also want to route slots in the table and make a simple one piece fence like the one shown on the blackboard. I noticed the drawing of this fence is missing the vertical 3/8" holes. You can view the video to see how it is used.

Hi there, nebraska! Today I got a new Woodworker's Journal in the mail. This issue features "Build Your Own Fly Rod"

This author, uses a thickness planer to make his triangular strips. He first rives the strips, removes the nodes using heat, and hand plane, then machine thickness plane. He uses a board for the bottom of the thickness planer that has 60 Degree slots routed into it. The largest slot is 3/8" deep and the smallest is 1/16" deep.

Nebraska - How is your rod project coming along? I am eager to see more! Alec