Bamboo

Inx

So last night I had this great idea. An idea to make cups and stuff from bamboo, and then sell it on the internet.

There are three main problems:
1) I've never done this before. I'm sure I could do it acceptably with a little practice, and don't mind putting in those hours, and I've already found a bunch of resources on HOW to do it so I think I'm okay here.
2) I have no idea where to get bamboo, especially affordably.
3) I have zero knowledge of bamboo, and my research has already shown me there's like a million types and I have no idea what's good or bad for this kind of project.

Anyone got any experience with this kind of thing?

Bowen

Why bamboo?

Inx

I like the way it looks, and it doesn't have to be hollowed out like other woods do. I can put more time into making it look nice. It also grows super fast, so if I find that I really like doing it, I can look into cultivating my own supply.

Bowen

Just figured you might have better luck, especially in the US, doing pottery or even metal work.

Sourcing the bamboo for crafting is probably going to be difficult, and you're making cups and stuff.

Make a style, work for commissions (someone wants a set of plates done? Groovy).

I mean that's more generic business advice than advice on working with bamboo, didn't know if you were dead set on the idea or just wanted to start a business making things for sale.

Inx

I've tried pottery before and just don't have the means or patience to make anything worth selling. No kiln, no wheel, no money to really buy those things.

Metalworking I've not tried and really know nothing about.

I'm not necessarily "dead set" on the idea of bamboo products, but wood seems to be my best option, and bamboo is one of those really nice, unique woods that you can do a lot with and has a clear demographic kind of build in. I also really like bamboo. But the idea did come from a desire to make things for sale, as finding a job has become increasingly difficult and frustrating, and I could use a source of income to make ends meet in the meantime.

I've found a few places online but they seem to only sell in bulk for prices I can't afford. I just want to find like, one or two poles to start with for now.

Enc

If you don't have money for pottery you likely won't have money for wood or bamboo work. Both are going to require a ton of finishing tools and chemicals to keep your work stable and sellable. Woodworking has a typical startup of about $300.00 plus materials. Between the shaping tools, saws, sanding materials, and finishing chemicals and sealants you have a lot of things you need to pick up (not counting fancy bits like a planar table and a good set of drafting designs). Materials themselves are also not cheap, good wood is expensive and bamboo doubly so.

Growing bamboo is inherently problematic as it either won't grow in your environment or, if it does it becomes really difficult to manage as it spreads like Kudzu. Because of that supply can be more expensive, typically about the same price as midrange woods despite it being much easier to raise in the right conditions.

That said, wood working is incredibly fulfilling and if you becomes good at it you can make some good money to sustain it. Unless you become very good you wont make much more than your cost (much less labor), but it can be a very fun hobby.

Pure Din

bowen wrote: »

Just figured you might have better luck, especially in the US, doing pottery or even metal work.

Sourcing the bamboo for crafting is probably going to be difficult, and you're making cups and stuff.

Make a style, work for commissions (someone wants a set of plates done? Groovy).

I mean that's more generic business advice than advice on working with bamboo, didn't know if you were dead set on the idea or just wanted to start a business making things for sale.

Does the bamboo have to be of a good quality? It's a horrible weed and I'm sure some people would be happy to let you chop it down.

Inx

@Enc I already have most of the tools I'd need. Wood working is something I've done in the past, and anything I don't have, my uncle has - he spent some time doing carpentry. Sealants and chemicals are likely the only expense aside from the wood itself.

Bamboo can definitely grow in my environment - I've seen it in the wild, spreading like the plague. I'm still working on how I'd get that setup working (which is why I also wanna see about doing it first).

What sorts of places do you think I can find decent bamboo? I'd like to at least check them out.

Inx

@Pure Din at first, I don't think I'd need great quality. I've got someone asking me to cut theirs down already, but they're prohibitively far away lol.

Enc

Inx wrote: »

@Enc I already have most of the tools I'd need. Wood working is something I've done in the past, and anything I don't have, my uncle has - he spent some time doing carpentry. Sealants and chemicals are likely the only expense aside from the wood itself.

Bamboo can definitely grow in my environment - I've seen it in the wild, spreading like the plague. I'm still working on how I'd get that setup working (which is why I also wanna see about doing it first).

What sorts of places do you think I can find decent bamboo? I'd like to at least check them out.

Well, anywhere online will likely be large batch simply because of the cost of shipping. I would ask at your local hardware giant. They probably won't carry it, but the folks who specialize in the wood department probably know of where you could get specialty cuts and materials in your area. In mine there are a few design studio suppliers that cater to those sorts of populations, but I live in a subtropical and thriving mega-city. You might have to drive.

Bowen

http://www.bamboocraft.net/poles_raw_materials.html
http://www.tytyga.com/Japanese-Timber-Bamboo-p/japanese-timber-bamboo-plants.htm

Fair enough.

That might help you in the meantime.

Inx

@Enc I'm on Long Island, and a short train ride from Manhattan. I'll look into that.

@bowen please tell me that didn't take you like zero time on Google. I swear, I suck at search engine.

Bowen

About 5 minutes or so.

Lots of garbage shit came up for "bamboo crafts" or "bamboo" though. Keep us posted anyways, if you have some oriental styles going on I might be interested as I really enjoy some of the aesthetics behind the Japanese sakura and stuff like that in general.

Pantshandshake

In terms of growing your own bamboo: It isn't technically wood, it's grass. Chopping it down doesn't do anything but slow the inevitable spread. Even defoliants generally don't stop it.