Looking for input/opinions on Plyboo

I built a modern sofa table using the 1/2” bamboo plywood. It came from a green building materials store like the one you referenced.

I think bamboo has a really neat look but all the sheets of plywood had a good bit of curl to them.

The side slats on the table would not stay straight from top to bottom. I opposed the bending tendencies of the pieces and installed the black “piano keys” to keep them together. The solution was visually appealing, but it was not intended.

I also looked at the 3/4 material and it all had a curl to it. I am afraid that if you wanted to make a door that stood alone, without a frame, it would be warped.

The material may be green but any of the material coming from China makes me question how green it actually is. China is several years behind the U.S. in manufacturing regulations for factory emissions. I did a good bit of research for the modern sofa table because it was made for a green exhibition. I found that there are not good hard guidelines for the green definition (there is a topic for another conversation.)

I use bamboo veneer though because I desperately love the look of bamboo and can create a stable panel. It goes with the modern aesthetic so well.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Here’s a site with good info on the bamboo plywood (they sell it, so beware of bias):

http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/Eco-CountertopsWoodFurniture/BambooPlywood/index.cfm

The end grain is apparently very porous which can cause it to warp. It looks like it needs to be kept packaged until used and then quickly worked and sealed. That, or work in a completely humidity-free environment. :)

I’ll have to look around here in southern Ohio to see if there is someplace that sells it. I would be interested in doing a couple small projects to experiment with it.

I like bamboo. It’s a grass that grows like a weed.

I would like to find some plywood made from it in my area.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

How green can anything be if it is shipped half way around the world? That takes a lot of fuel!

-- woodsmith

I do not think I’ll be buying any at $289 a sheet.

-- Tom D

Geesh! $289 a sheet is steep! Thanks folks for the valuable input!

Carlyle

-- Cheers!

You can get the 1/8” sheet for 119.00

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com