Epoxy for bamboo?

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

I'd like to build a board out of bamboo ply. What is the best way to seal and protect the wood? Epoxy? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

do a search on this site and all of your questions will be answered.

http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/general-discussion

lee

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Feb 05, 09 7:01 am

I think that marine epoxy or spar varnish is going to be your best bet. I coated a plywood skimboard in marine spar varnish and it lasted a long long time.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

I like Resin Research Epoxy
from Fiberglass Supply

2000 resin with 2100Slow or 2100Fast hardener
I heat both to about 90F before using them.

What kind of board?

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

Hein,

I'd like to build a twin tip, 140-150cm x 45-50cm with about 3cm rocker, for light winds.
I am totally new to this board building thing and pretty clueless. My plan at the moment is to use two 1/4" pieces of bamboo ply (or a more suitable marine grade ply), glue (epoxy?) them together, use weights to get my rocker and then sealing it with more epoxy. Am I way off base here or am I headed down the right path?
Any and all advice would be MOST appreciated!

Monkeyboy,

What kind of plywood did you use for your skim? To be honest I want to use bamboo because I like the way it looks, but for practical purposes I am staying open to other types of ply.

Thanks guys Smile

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Feb 05, 09 7:29 pm

It was marine grade plywood. 5/8 if I remember correctly. I think bamboo could work especially for alight wind board. You could use weights but uouwould probably due better to clamp it between two forms or vaccumit down to a form. Hein would know a shit ton more or there is a yahoo board building group with lots of info.

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

I am totally into the idea of vacuum pressing boards! But I want to build a board at least one time and make sure building boards is for me, before I invest in a vacuum press. I never thought of clamping the board between 2 forms. Good idea!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

You may want to do 3 layers with thin skins and a lighter core.
If you use 2 layers then the rocker probably won't hold that well.

Take a look at this video series:

Part 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW7SjABe8Lc

continued in Part 2 & 3

Not a twin tip but general idea is similar and shows how
it's done. Lots of videos on bagging against a rocker bed
too which is what you would do for a twin tip.

Search and read.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Vacuum bagging is way easy. Here's your pump:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98076

Talk to one of the guys at fiberglass supply about bags, films, breather, seal tape. etc.

gorge geezer · Since 11 Jan 2008 17 Posts Vancouver

I built rowboat ribs by laminating thin sheets of wood with marine expoxy. Extremely strong. Bend the sheets over a mold and the rocker shape will hold forever. Vacume bagging gets rid of excess expoxy an makes the board as light as possible. Finish with multiple thin coats of varnish. It makes any wood look great.