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Blow Gun

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huntertrapper:
I was hoping to get some info. on how to make a blowgun from some bamboo, thickness the bamboo should be? and how to get through the nodes to make the tube? thanks guys.....

madcrow:
The thicknes of the bamboo is up to you.  The bigger the inside diameter, the bigger and longer the darts can be.  On smaller blowguns, I have used a 3/8" steel rod 4 feet long, chucked it in a drill, then heated the end red hot.  Then shove it in and turn the drill on and bur through the nodes.  You can feel when it is smooth by pulling the rod out and then push it in again.  When it quits hitting the bump left by the node, it is smooth.  On one 6 feet or so, burn all you can from one end and then burn from the other end.  One larger diameter it is easier to split the bamboo, cut the nodes out and sand, then glue it back together.  I traded the big bore I had a couple years ago and have not made one since.  It was roughly a 65 caliber, 7 feet long and shot 18 inch bamboo darts.  The longer it is, the more speed and accuracy you will have.  You can also use metal clothes hangers for the darts.  I have seen some they used an old plastic film canister for the mouthpeice.  I just wrapped wet rawhide around the end so that it overlapped the edge and threw some glue on it.  Old milk jugs can be heated and melted to make the cones.  Just heat it up with a candle or heat gun and push a stick whittled down to a cone shape into it.  The just trim to fit the bore of the gun.

madcrow:
Dang, I have to find my bamboo.  I am in the mood to make another one.

huntertrapper:
Thanks madcrow, i havent even really started yet and im excited!  ;D all i did was cut a piece of bamboo

Zach Roberts:
Ok....The thickness does'nt matter,but the longer it is the more accurate. At the joints it is solid....The cherokee Indians would get a stick and haft a small arrow head to it,and the push out the solid parts. Now just get a sharp metal pole and do it. The darts are fletched with the white fluffy seeds from thistle...I don't know if you have an abundance where you are from or not. :-\  You use the "wax string method" i think. Anything else just ask ;)

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