Bamboo Propellers

In a related post I asked if anyone had heard of such a thing. So far
the only response indicates a misunderstanding of how bamboo is used
for such things.

In the tropics -- with Vietnam being a fair example -- bamboo often
has a diameter of several inches. When split AND STEAMED you're left
with a PLANK having remarkable characteristics with regard to strength
& grain.

I assumed any propeller fabricated from bamboo would use such planks,
probably glued in a steam- or water-heated clamp that would impregnate
the grain of the planks with epoxy or something having similar
characteristics. A further assumption on my part was that the airfoil
shape would be routed -- or even MOLDED -- from the section of the
planks that were fully impregnated with the epoxy, which would then
receive a finishing coat.

Perhaps we would be lucky enough to make use of a FURNITURE
MANUFACTURER or some other manufacturer who is already equipped for
dealing with bamboo.

Finally, perhaps someone can point me toward a Group that is more
familiar with Bamboo.

-R.S.Hoover

Bob a écrit:

In a related post I asked if anyone had heard of such a thing. So far
the only response indicates a misunderstanding of how bamboo is used
for such things.

Never hear obout that, but bamboo laminate for a slow, low power
prop... it seems possible


Regards
--
« Si tous les poètes voulaient se donner la main, ils toucheraient enfin
des doigts d'auteur! »
Philippe Vessaire Ò¿Ó¬

"Bob" wrote

Perhaps we would be lucky enough to make use of a FURNITURE
MANUFACTURER or some other manufacturer who is already equipped for
dealing with bamboo.

Finally, perhaps someone can point me toward a Group that is more
familiar with Bamboo.

Bamboo floor company
http://www.ambientbp.com/index.htm

Bob wrote:
In a related post I asked if anyone had heard of such a thing. So far
the only response indicates a misunderstanding of how bamboo is used
for such things.

In the tropics -- with Vietnam being a fair example -- bamboo often
has a diameter of several inches. When split AND STEAMED you're left
with a PLANK having remarkable characteristics with regard to strength
& grain.

I assumed any propeller fabricated from bamboo would use such planks,
probably glued in a steam- or water-heated clamp that would impregnate
the grain of the planks with epoxy or something having similar
characteristics. A further assumption on my part was that the airfoil
shape would be routed -- or even MOLDED -- from the section of the
planks that were fully impregnated with the epoxy, which would then
receive a finishing coat.

Perhaps we would be lucky enough to make use of a FURNITURE
MANUFACTURER or some other manufacturer who is already equipped for
dealing with bamboo.

Finally, perhaps someone can point me toward a Group that is more
familiar with Bamboo.

-R.S.Hoover

You can buy flooring made from bamboo from lots of flooring dealers. I
wondered about whether it was available in long enough pieces, but it
looks like it is.

http://floorus.com/Bamboo6FPro.aspx

Question is, whether it's stiff enough to make a good prop.

It is an interesting idea, though. The grain should be very straight &
consistent.

Charlie

Charlie wrote:
Bob wrote:
In a related post I asked if anyone had heard of such a thing. So far
the only response indicates a misunderstanding of how bamboo is used
for such things.

In the tropics -- with Vietnam being a fair example -- bamboo often
has a diameter of several inches. When split AND STEAMED you're left
with a PLANK having remarkable characteristics with regard to strength
& grain.

I assumed any propeller fabricated from bamboo would use such planks,
probably glued in a steam- or water-heated clamp that would impregnate
the grain of the planks with epoxy or something having similar
characteristics. A further assumption on my part was that the airfoil
shape would be routed -- or even MOLDED -- from the section of the
planks that were fully impregnated with the epoxy, which would then
receive a finishing coat.

Perhaps we would be lucky enough to make use of a FURNITURE
MANUFACTURER or some other manufacturer who is already equipped for
dealing with bamboo.

Finally, perhaps someone can point me toward a Group that is more
familiar with Bamboo.

-R.S.Hoover

You can buy flooring made from bamboo from lots of flooring dealers. I
wondered about whether it was available in long enough pieces, but it
looks like it is.

http://floorus.com/Bamboo6FPro.aspx

Question is, whether it's stiff enough to make a good prop.

It is an interesting idea, though. The grain should be very straight &
consistent.

Charlie
Video of manufacturing process:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V912q4rZSg

I think that they say urea formaldehyde is used to glue the pieces. Is
that the same stuff used in OSB panels?

On Fri, 22 May 2009 19:27:18 -0500, Charlie
wrote:




I think that they say urea formaldehyde is used to glue the pieces. Is
that the same stuff used in OSB panels?

It is the same stuff used to stick Mosquito bombers together.

Charlie wrote:

You can buy flooring made from bamboo from lots of flooring dealers. I
wondered about whether it was available in long enough pieces, but it
looks like it is.

http://floorus.com/Bamboo6FPro.aspx

Question is, whether it's stiff enough to make a good prop.

It is an interesting idea, though. The grain should be very straight &
consistent.

Charlie

The answer, of course, is another question.
What is the propeller being asked to do?

On Fri, 22 May 2009 22:13:19 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote:

Charlie wrote:

You can buy flooring made from bamboo from lots of flooring dealers. I
wondered about whether it was available in long enough pieces, but it
looks like it is.

http://floorus.com/Bamboo6FPro.aspx

Question is, whether it's stiff enough to make a good prop.

It is an interesting idea, though. The grain should be very straight &
consistent.

Charlie

The answer, of course, is another question.
What is the propeller being asked to do?
Used to be able to buy Bamboo model aircraft props.

To All:

I believe we've made our point, albeit indirectly. Bamboo in the form
of planks is available. We still need more information with regard to
length and thickness. I will create a Bamboo Group to serve as an
archive for information as it is developed.

-R.S.Hoover

On May 23, 1:25*pm, Veeduber wrote:
*I will create a Bamboo Group to serve as an
archive for information as it is developed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Or perhaps not.

The last step in creating a Group is for Yahoo to send a confirming
message to your email address. After a four hour wait, nothing has
appeared.

Perhaps they want only Yahoo email addresses.

If one of you uses Yahoo.com for email perhaps you would care to try
creating a Group specific to aviation & bamboo.

-R.S.Hoover