The Framers Forum

OK, first , I have to say Framing is a Disease ! I need a cure.

I first came here a few weeks back for advice on mounting, with that in hand I moved on.. disease took hold...

My latest question is are there any known issues with using bamboo to make the frame moulding?
I have already performed some experiments, and it cuts ok, corners go together OK etc. It also looks real nice

The plan is to purchase packs of bamboo flooring. Its an engineered timber, i.e. 3 layers of bamboo thick, and narrow strips across the width but 900mm lengths. The back has some recesses, but in my experiments of taking a length, splitting it down the middle on the bandsaw, I can essentially get them to line up. Once I have them the same width, I have routed the rebate, rounded over the facing edges, and all appears well. As bamboo, does not have the same grain pattern of most woods, corner matching does not appear to be an issue.

The existing finish is just a clear satin varnish, which I can either lightly sand off and replace or just go over the top. That's tomorrows experiment. Its only 15mm thick, but will take the pictures I have planned.

The cost of the bamboo which will give a 40mm wide moulding is £1 a mete. As these are being made by me for me, labour cost is free

I would also be interested in any views on how much a frame made from this material may be valued at , so I can make suitable adjustments to the insurance for the art it will frame.

Frames will be 800x600 inside

Here in the States we have one company that is selling moulding that is made from bamboo. It cuts like any other hard wood.

http://www.southernmoulding.com/bamboo/index.htm

There might be a source for this line in the EU.

You could buy real bamboo moulding at one time. Fake bamboo has been around for yonks, but has fallen out of fashion in recent years. ( I have several 1000 ft of 1/2" gold in my shed. )

If I were making a real bamboo moulding I would be inclined to split it in two and glue to a suitable flat section with the rebate already done.

#prospero

By using the flooring medium, I actually get solid bamboo, although in a ready made 3 layer laminate. Routing the rebate is only a few minutes, most of which is spent setting the cutter. Once I decide to go ahead, I will process all the lengths through each stage before moving to the next, will keep the processing time to a minimum.

Ignoring set-up time for the tools, the estimated processing is around 4 minutes total per length, and that allows for sips of coffee too. So with 200 lengths.... a few hours....

But then again what else would I be doing? Making something on the lathe from the offcuts

In our last house which we bought new we laid a solid wood floor downstairs which was fashionable at the time. Wouldn't bother again, too noisy.

Anyway, when we were looking at which wood to have the guy showed us bamboo and it looked really good for somewhere like a bathroom. Nice colour and close grain so I can see this looking good in a frame

Nielsen do a real bamboo veneer in their 'exclusive' range in two flat, rounded back profiles, about 40 & 75mm.

what ever rock your boat

without seeing it I can't imagine it, so hurry up and post some photos please

What happens if you need a piece bigger than 900mm

I made some frames from bamboo timber a few years ago, it was supplied by the customer something like this photo, I just had to rebate it, mitre and join it. The frames looked very good and I quite liked the laminated type look. I think there are various ways it can be manufactured for woodworking type uses, and is considered very environmentally friendly or so my customer told me anyway!

That looks good

#Steve N : Will post pictures as soon as I have one made. I suspect it will be a week or two

All the material is here!

Just got my new router, and either need to set it up in my existing bench, or there is this nice one with a cast iron bed... which could cause a small delay

#Graysalchemy : If i need longer, I can rout and finger joint the timber lengthwise, rather than use the original tongue and groove. The only problem would be I would need bigger walls to hang it!

magician62 wrote:#Graysalchemy : If i need longer, I can rout and finger joint the timber lengthwise, rather than use the original tongue and groove. The only problem would be I would need bigger walls to hang it!