Re: Making of Walker Net Arms
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:14 pm
The next stage will be heat treating the bamboo . In normal cicumstances I would heat treat a complete section of tonkin but in this case it is probably easier to flame each individual strip . I am not sure really if this is necessary , the application of heat does turn the bamboo to a nice warm caramel shade and will temper the cane and will drive out any moisture .The choice really lays with the individual .The cane arms can be stained once complete and varnished should you choose to apply this method .
The important thing is not to heat up too quickly . Despite the bamboo strip shown in the photo may look a bit harsh but this has been built up gradually and not in one intense hit . Too much heat too soon will burn the bamboo and the last thing you want is charred and brittle strips of cane .
It is also important to remember that it is of the utmost importance that the enamel skin of the bamboo is left intact and not removed prior to heat treatment , this leaves a natural barrier against the heat and will act as a shield from the heat , but it must be done gradually .
From the photos you will see that the cane strips are have been flame treated . As dark as they look , the arms will be a lot lighter than this once the outer enamel has been flattened off . Any suitable torch with a decent flame will achieve this but for those not confident in doing this procedure it doesnt matter too much .
What may also help is to make up a template of the arms from a strip of wood . In this case I used a piece of offcut ash . The arms themselves are going to be 36 inches long . They are also going to straight taper from 3/4 inch down to 1/2 inch . Thickness of the template is not important but the length and width will be as these are what you are going to be working with as finished arms .The use of this template will become apparent as we go along with the procedure . The soft pith side of the bamboo strips are going to be flatenned and this is where the template will have its use .
Above photo shows the 3/4 hinge end .
1/2 inch tip end .
Next procedure will be flattening the strips . More later
The important thing is not to heat up too quickly . Despite the bamboo strip shown in the photo may look a bit harsh but this has been built up gradually and not in one intense hit . Too much heat too soon will burn the bamboo and the last thing you want is charred and brittle strips of cane .
It is also important to remember that it is of the utmost importance that the enamel skin of the bamboo is left intact and not removed prior to heat treatment , this leaves a natural barrier against the heat and will act as a shield from the heat , but it must be done gradually .
![Image](http://i57.tinypic.com/aqk90.jpg)
![Image](http://i62.tinypic.com/1rb6yp.jpg)
From the photos you will see that the cane strips are have been flame treated . As dark as they look , the arms will be a lot lighter than this once the outer enamel has been flattened off . Any suitable torch with a decent flame will achieve this but for those not confident in doing this procedure it doesnt matter too much .
What may also help is to make up a template of the arms from a strip of wood . In this case I used a piece of offcut ash . The arms themselves are going to be 36 inches long . They are also going to straight taper from 3/4 inch down to 1/2 inch . Thickness of the template is not important but the length and width will be as these are what you are going to be working with as finished arms .The use of this template will become apparent as we go along with the procedure . The soft pith side of the bamboo strips are going to be flatenned and this is where the template will have its use .
![Image](http://i61.tinypic.com/4kxykj.jpg)
Above photo shows the 3/4 hinge end .
![Image](http://i57.tinypic.com/alswfk.jpg)
1/2 inch tip end .
![Image](http://i58.tinypic.com/34eb5vt.png)
Next procedure will be flattening the strips . More later