How to Make Bamboo Furniture
How to Make Bamboo Furniture. Bamboo is a hollow grass that is available in many varieties. While you can make some types of bamboo furniture yourself, it is often difficult and requires a great deal of skill.
Those without bamboo furniture making skills should stick to manageable projects such as bamboo wall coverings or a simple bamboo framed coffee table.
Gather Your Supplies
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Visit the Bamboo Fencer website to choose from a variety of bamboo poles (see Resources below).
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Discuss your project with your bamboo pole seller to be sure you select the appropriate products.
Prepare the Split Rattan
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Measure out the split rattan to match the sides of your MDF sheet. The MDF sheet will form the table top.
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Cut the split rattan at a 45 degree angle using the miter box. This is so that the corners of the rattan meet to make a square corner.
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Sand the newly cut ends of the each piece of rattan. Make sure you sand only in the direction away from the cut--if you sand towards the cut, the rattan will splinter.
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Spray the rattan pieces with shellac over newspaper or other protected surface.
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Allow the rattan pieces to dry, then shellac again. A third coat may be necessary.
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Hammer a finishing nail slightly into the corner of a rattan piece.
Attach the Split Rattan to the Tabletop
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Place wood glue on the end on the rattan piece and press it onto the edge of the MDF sheet.
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Hammer the nail in the rest of the way.
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Repeat this process with the remaining three rattan pieces.
Prepare the Bamboo Legs
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Cut the bamboo into four 10 inch pieces.
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Sand the freshly cut edges.
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Pre-drill holes into each leg where the corner brace will attach.
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Screw the corner braces onto the legs.
Attach the Legs
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Position each leg 2 inches in from the corner of the tabletop and mark with your pencil.
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Screw the corner brace into the tabletop to secure the bamboo leg.
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Attach the remaining legs until your furniture is complete.
Things You Will Need
- One 5 foot pole of 3 inch diameter bamboo
- 15 feet of 1 inch diameter split rattan
- Eight 1/2 inch corner braces with screws
- Drill
- Finishing nails
- Wood glue
- Hammer
- Sandpaper
- Miter box
- Spray shellac
- Pencil
- One 2 foot by 4 foot sheet of MDF (medium density fiberboard)
Tip
Avoid splintering by sanding bamboo and rattan away from any cut you have made.
Warning
Bamboo cannot be easily painted.