Another Bamboo Job

[Joe Pelonio]

This one I did as a gift for a friend who, like me, does bonsai. This is from a picture of one of his trees. Darker bamboo veneer inlay on a 3/4" thick bamboo block. Notice the nice end grain on the left edge.

[Frank Corker]

Joe did you cut it with the laser? I'm assuming from the tight fit that you must have in which case I'd like to know what effects you had from charring. They look really very nice by the way.

[Joe Pelonio]

Of course I used the laser!:D

I did put transfer tape on it, but there was absolutely no charring. I think bamboo works better than wood because of the lack of oils in it. The only problem I have had with it is when engraving out 1/8" bamboo it tends to
warp (high in the middle). With 1/4" and 3/4" it does not.

[Frank Corker]

Well it certainly looksthe part. Nice job!

[Robert Ray]

I have never tried to do an inlay before, so forgive my ignorance, but do you vector cut the outline on the main piece piece, then use a chisel to cut out the inside? Or is there another technique like rastering it out?

-Robert

[Thad Nickoley]

I have only done it once It was a simple dsign I raster the oak and vector the walnut. That tree that Joe did might take a little more care.

[Joe Pelonio]

I have only done it once It was a simple dsign I raster the oak and vector the walnut. That tree that Joe did might take a little more care.
Very same way. I just had to run two passes on the engraving, to get deep enough for the 1/42 veneer which has a thin fabric backing. With the delicate detail one has to still be careful in handling the cut veneer, the fabric helps but it could still crack.

[Bill Morrison]

Joe, where do you get your transfer tape. Anyplace local?
Bill

[Joe Pelonio]

There are 4 sign supplies in Seattle, where I can get it. Since I do vinyl sign work too I buy it for that and just use some for the laser as needed. It's sold by the roll in various sizes, most of the time I buy a 4' log and have it cut to the sizes I need.

[Jim Dornon]

Nice job joe. Mind if I ask whre you get thr inlay bamboo that thin ? Jim

[Joe Pelonio]

There's a company not far from here that sells wholesale only to the trades, mainly home remodelers. I do awards for them on bamboo plaques that they supply, in fact 3 more are on the way to me now. In this area only one of their dealers sells the veneer and thin stuff, most stick to flooring and counter tops/cabinet boards. I have so far managed to talk them out of a lot of samples.

There are also places that sell it online:

http://www.franksupply.com/specialty_products.htm
http://www.thenaturalabode.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3487
http://www.theveneerstore.com/p-237-bamboo-caramel.aspx?gclid=CM6CpPSxxpECFRP7iAodNGfTzg