I need help making a bamboo tone pole.

[prerube]

I looked at the Hawaii courses and did not see any good pictures of a Bamboo tone pole. If you have directions or advice please help.

 

[prerube]

Here is what I am looking for...just not covered in snow

bamboo tone-pole catcher in my yard

 

[prerube]

This was in an issue of FDM last year. I believe it's from one of the courses in Hawaii. Is this kind of like what you're looking for?

Here is another. Does anyone have an advice, even if you have never made one, but have some good ideas.

 

[Rol6566]

They look cool. Whats the deal with a tone pole?

 

[ArcheType]

Just off basic knowledge of bamboo,

You should take your sticks (once you've cut/drilled/whatever work you need) and soak them in water for 3 days, then let them dry (especially in the sun) for 3 days, and repeat this for 2-3 weeks, then make sure you let them dry completely the last time. This process makes the bamboo incredibly hard, and practically indestructible.

Should really increase the longevity of your tone pole.

 

[prerube]

It makes a loud noise like a dull windchime when you hit the bamboo. I just came into a lot of bamboo and my school said I can build a course if I can do it cheap.

 

[prerube]

Just off basic knowledge of bamboo,

You should take your sticks (once you've cut/drilled/whatever work you need) and soak them in water for 3 days, then let them dry (especially in the sun) for 3 days, and repeat this for 2-3 weeks, then make sure you let them dry completely the last time. This process makes the bamboo incredibly hard, and practically indestructible.

Should really increase the longevity of your tone pole.

Thanks! :hfive:

 

[jrawk]

Interesting. Would they be outside permanently? I ask because they look like vandalism magnets, more so than steel baskets.

 

[ArcheType]

Thanks! :hfive:

No problem, I actually learned it from school research on Vietnam. They do this for six months to make "canes" which are used to beat criminals as a punishment. After 6 months of treatment, bamboo is hard enough to break bones.

 

[R-Intermediate]

I just got through talking about using tone poles for temp baskets to expand our new course to 27 holes. Would like to hear and see how the whole process goes for you.

 

[R-Intermediate]

We talked about making them similar to a big wind chime. A wood disc made of plywood on top with a rope strung through it and the tops of the bamboo.

 

[prerube]

I started drilling holes in the bamboo, but should I do the first soak, then drill?

Ideally they would remain outside, but I want to first put them in christmas tree stands to make them portables. until I am sure they are safe. If they are not safe I will make "prerube's playground" a permanent tone pole course, so I can keep my baskets indoors.

 

[woodstock]

Love the tone poles, Ive seen one that doesnt have a series of tubes but one large metal pipe thats just hanging there. The more freely it hangs, the better it sounds. Good luck

 

[ArcheType]

I started drilling holes in the bamboo, but should I do the first soak, then drill?

Ideally they would remain outside, but I want to first put them in christmas tree stands to make them portables. until I am sure they are safe. If they are not safe I will make "prerube's playground" a permanent tone pole course, so I can keep my baskets indoors.

no, I'd drill first, then soak,

you want to have all the cutting and drilling and whatever done before you start soaking

 

[woodcutter]

I started drilling holes in the bamboo, but should I do the first soak, then drill?

Ideally they would remain outside, but I want to first put them in christmas tree stands to make them portables. until I am sure they are safe. If they are not safe I will make "prerube's playground" a permanent tone pole course, so I can keep my baskets indoors.

M2CW, do not drill the yet. The cells will fill with water and will be hared to drain properly.
When cutting the bamboo, cut the tops of the suspended bamboo close to the joint so water will not pool when it rains
Bamboo may crack here and there, so prepare some extra so you can replace ones quickly with out waiting and going threw the whole prosses again.

Personly,,when they are properly I would treat them with a Boiled Linseed Oil it would gring out the color and add some protection. Just brush it on and wipe it off.opcorn:

 

[lokirising]

I've never seen anything like that before. That's pretty cool actually.

 

[prerube]

ok, I am using bamboo that is a long piece, a joint, then another long piece. Should I drill drainage holes above the joint, so water does not collect in the top half? (This may be what woodcutter was telling me to do)

 

[prerube]

BTW I am drilling, stringing then soaking 12 pieces. Then I am soaking, drilling and stringing 12 pieces to see what works better.

 

[jrawk]

Ideally they would remain outside, but I want to first put them in christmas tree stands to make them portables. until I am sure they are safe. If they are not safe I will make "prerube's playground" a permanent tone pole course, so I can keep my baskets indoors.

Good stuff, bro. Christmas tree stands = brilliant.

 

[jimbosprint]

Thanks for the idea! :hfive:

My friend has a ton of bamboo in his backyard, and we were wondering what to do with it.

Edit: besides making smoking devices