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BBH twins build along (For testing).

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superdav95:
Here you can see me splitting off my boo slat.  I use a big knife for this like a machete working my way down the length of the pole.  I make sure I inspect my boo for any checks and cracks.  Most bamboo will have some minor scuffs that don’t affect anything functional but is more aesthetics. I split out my slat to about 1 and 3/4” wide.  I use a hammer on the back of my large knife to split through the nodes.    I use large diameter moso bamboo pole.  At least 4-5” in diameter if you can get it.  Using large well seasoned moso pole bamboo will yield better results as the crown will be kept to a minimum.    More to come.  Stay tuned 🌝

superdav95:
Let’s talk bamboo a bit.  As mentioned earlier I use large diameter moso bamboo.  The poles I get are in 10’ lengths seasoned about 2-4years.  I’ve used greener poles too but it’s more work to get the moisture out.  It’s doable but more work.  Here you can see some poles showing how the nodes are closer together as you go down the base of the pole.  In the last pic I show a slat that I bought online.  It’s not usable in my opinion.  You can see the uneven back on this slat.  Obviously this will be an issue getting an even backside that gives consistent bend if used. Watch out for this.    I find that using poles and making my own slats gives me the quality control I need.  I have found that commercial slats 2” wide can be good but it’s hit or miss depending where you order from.   Lots of guys here use them just fine. Just look them over well.   For me I use the large poles for other bow projects anyway so it works out for me.   

superdav95:
I toast my slats after I grind them down to about 1/8” thick.  For a length of about 69-70” it takes about 20mins each side.  I use radiant heat source.  A hot plate like a stove top or single burner type would work.  I go till I see steam coming out the ends hovering over the heat source about 3-4”. I keep it moving and pay attention not to hover over an area too long to scorch it.  This will make it too brittle.   Heat tempering boo strips I believe has a performance benefit.  I’m still testing out some theory on this with these bows.  I also weight my bow strip just prior to heat tempering it and after.   I’ll see a drop in mass of around 30-40 grams.  This is seasoned 3yr dry bamboo.  If using greener stuff be prepared to lose a lot more mass in the form of moisture.   The last pic you’ll see how the boo strip swells a bit after heat tempering it.  This is due to the loss of moisture.  This is not a problem and this is why I start this process at 1/8” thick.   I’ve tried heat tempering the strip thinner but found it checks and splits more in me.   Keeping it at least 1/8” saves this for the most part.  A very light Color may be seen on the belly.  This is fine and won’t affect anything. 

Here’s video link for the heat temper process.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NS34tXRfrtpwbNt8A

superdav95:
For this slat I went with a taper from about .090” thick at the tips to center line of .125” thick.  You can see that I used clamps to get my outline penciled on from my hickory bow blank. I do this step when I get the thickness of entire strip down to about .150” thick.  I use my 36grit belt sander for this.  This gives a good glue up surface too.  Once I draw on outline and head back to the sander and get the outline shaped out.  This is where I then taper down to my finished thicknesses.  For this one I went .125-.090.  Center to tip.  My other test bow I went a little thicker .150”-.100 center to tip.  I’m testing out some theories with various boo strip thicknesses.    After I get my tapers done and outline the way I like I tape up the back in prep for glue up.  This protects the boo back from epoxy squeeze out.  The 36grit belt sander gives good glue surface but I’m sure other hacksaw blade methods or rasps or files work too.  I thin use a clean rag with acetone to wipe down both back side of hickory bow blank and the belly of the boo strip. I also mark the A and B as a reminder which side it which along with a center line for alignment on glue up. Trust me you’ll only forget to do this once.  Don’t t ask me how I know this 😉  Epoxy is messy slippery stuff!  Where gloves.   I’ll post more tonight when I get back of the glue up set up I use.  Stay tuned.  🌝

Will B:
Thanks for taking time to document your work. Very helpful

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