Have you thought about using Bamboo??

tonyps · 05-22-2008, 01:49 PM

Afternoon all,
I have been using mostly hard and soft woods grown here in the good ole US of A for the majority of my woodworking life, thus far. I sprinkle in a few exotics like Brazilian Cherry, Purpleheart and Maca(though this one is getting darn near impossible to get my hands on...) now and again.
I thought it would be good to try something a bit different in the way of woods to work with, especially one that is so renewable and "green"....
I have been reading that Bamboo is really beginning to catch on, not just for flooring, but plywood and lumber as well. I have spent a good amount of time reading and researching to see what is in use, what is available and what the cost is...
I have come to the conclusion that like most new and "hip" items, the price for this is just astronomical ($150.00 minimum for a 3/4",4'x8' plywood sheet)!!. Flooring, stair treads and risers are pretty much in the same "out there" ballpark. As a matter of fact, I only came across 1 or 2 places that say they carry "bamboo lumber", which is actually laminated bamboo strips with an epoxy process to hold it and the fillers together....
I would be interested in hearing from ya'll, what your thoughts are, experience if any with it and interest in using it....
Thanks,
Regards,
Tony ...

dancam · 05-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Tony,

I was watching one of the HGTV home renovations shows about a month ago and they were using bamboo plywood for kit cabs and they quoted the price per sheet at around $240.00. So your quote of $150.00 appears to be a bargain!!!

Dan C.

tonyps · 05-22-2008, 02:37 PM

Oops, I meant to type $250.00 instead of $150.00...
Waiting for the day the computer types what you want to type, not what you do type...

Tony ...

AndyBarnhart · 05-22-2008, 04:11 PM

Of course it's expensive - didn't you see Dave O's post? Babmboo is not a tree. You're buying grass, mon - that's why it's so expensive...

Partman · 05-22-2008, 04:28 PM

Yes I have used bamboo. makes a good fishing pole.

Danny

Nativespec · 05-22-2008, 05:03 PM

I've heard it is not good in humid climates.

David

junquecol · 05-22-2008, 10:09 PM

One of my cohorts did a kitchen in bamboo last fall. It was a SMALL kitchen! Only about ten grand for the job. Personally I wasn't impressed.

jeff... · 05-23-2008, 11:33 PM

Just say no to grass

goodmund · 05-23-2008, 11:50 PM

I thought about trying to use bamboo plywood, or "plyboo", a few years ago to build some furniture, perhaps a coffee table or something, but couldn't locate any. Like the entire green movement, I'm sure the demand will grow and it will be easier to find. Perhaps the price will come down too, like when VCR's first came out and were around $1000.

Maybe it's just me, but most of the photos I've seen of cabinets and furniture made with the stuff have a slightly oriental look to them, which may or may not be what you're after. I've been in homes that have bamboo flooring and they're beautiful.

Let us know if you decide to try some and how it works out!

05-22-2008, 01:49 PM	#1
tonyps Member Name: Tony City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 164 Threads: 35	Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Afternoon all, I have been using mostly hard and soft woods grown here in the good ole US of A for the majority of my woodworking life, thus far. I sprinkle in a few exotics like Brazilian Cherry, Purpleheart and Maca(though this one is getting darn near impossible to get my hands on...) now and again. I thought it would be good to try something a bit different in the way of woods to work with, especially one that is so renewable and "green".... I have been reading that Bamboo is really beginning to catch on, not just for flooring, but plywood and lumber as well. I have spent a good amount of time reading and researching to see what is in use, what is available and what the cost is... I have come to the conclusion that like most new and "hip" items, the price for this is just astronomical ($150.00 minimum for a 3/4",4'x8' plywood sheet)!!. Flooring, stair treads and risers are pretty much in the same "out there" ballpark. As a matter of fact, I only came across 1 or 2 places that say they carry "bamboo lumber", which is actually laminated bamboo strips with an epoxy process to hold it and the fillers together.... I would be interested in hearing from ya'll, what your thoughts are, experience if any with it and interest in using it.... Thanks, Regards, Tony ... __________________ Tony "General" Strother U.S. Army, Retired Master Sergeant "Not plane nor bird nor even frog, just little ole me, UnderDog"

05-22-2008, 02:00 PM	#2
dancam Member Name: Dan Campbell City: Asheville State: NC County: Buncombe Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 62 Posts: 441 Threads: 38	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Tony, I was watching one of the HGTV home renovations shows about a month ago and they were using bamboo plywood for kit cabs and they quoted the price per sheet at around $240.00. So your quote of $150.00 appears to be a bargain!!! Dan C. __________________ -------------------------- And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.-- Abraham Lincoln

05-22-2008, 02:37 PM	#3
tonyps Member Name: Tony City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 164 Threads: 35	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Oops, I meant to type $250.00 instead of $150.00... Waiting for the day the computer types what you want to type, not what you do type... Tony ... __________________ Tony "General" Strother U.S. Army, Retired Master Sergeant "Not plane nor bird nor even frog, just little ole me, UnderDog"

05-22-2008, 04:11 PM	#4
AndyBarnhart Member Name: Andy City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Mar 2008 Age: 49 Posts: 435 Threads: 44	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Of course it's expensive - didn't you see Dave O's post? Babmboo is not a tree. You're buying grass, mon - that's why it's so expensive... __________________ -Andy Wag more - bark less. http://www.CarvedTones.com

05-22-2008, 04:28 PM	#5
Partman Member Name: Danny Davis City: Seagrove State: NC County: Randolph Join Date: Oct 2006 Age: 51 Posts: 494 Threads: 31	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Yes I have used bamboo. makes a good fishing pole. Danny

05-22-2008, 05:03 PM	#6
Nativespec Member Name: David Norby City: Raleigh State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Feb 2007 Age: 47 Posts: 578 Threads: 74	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? I've heard it is not good in humid climates. David

05-22-2008, 10:09 PM	#7
junquecol Member Name: Bruce City: Apex State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,378 Threads: 197	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? One of my cohorts did a kitchen in bamboo last fall. It was a SMALL kitchen! Only about ten grand for the job. Personally I wasn't impressed.

05-23-2008, 11:33 PM	#8
jeff... Member Name: jeff... City: State: NC County: Granville Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,455 Threads: 395	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? Just say no to grass __________________ Mills Custom Sawing

05-23-2008, 11:50 PM	#9
goodmund Member Name: goodmund City: Jamestown State: NC County: Guilford Join Date: Dec 2007 Age: 40 Posts: 7 Threads: 3	Re: Have you thought about using Bamboo?? I thought about trying to use bamboo plywood, or "plyboo", a few years ago to build some furniture, perhaps a coffee table or something, but couldn't locate any. Like the entire green movement, I'm sure the demand will grow and it will be easier to find. Perhaps the price will come down too, like when VCR's first came out and were around $1000. Maybe it's just me, but most of the photos I've seen of cabinets and furniture made with the stuff have a slightly oriental look to them, which may or may not be what you're after. I've been in homes that have bamboo flooring and they're beautiful. Let us know if you decide to try some and how it works out!

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