Bamboo Flooring as Handle Scales

Should work since it's solid and not laminated, and the end shot appears to show pattern through the entirety of it. Wear a respirator, no telling what type of processing it's undergone.
 
I can't comment on the bamboo but if you're going to request some of the free samples also request the Brazilian Cherry, Tigerwood, and Patagonian Rosewood. I've made handles out of them from these guys free samples and they turned out great.
 
Well yeah, you *should* always wear a respirator, but we often dont do what we should. This type of stuff may not be more toxic, but it could be, since there seems to be a fair bit of processing in transforming bamboo into flooring dimension, although people more familiar than I could likely give more accurate advice.

Just saying to be cautious with the unknown in this case, till told otherwise.
 
Yeah, I plan on working outdoors and wearing a respirator, but I always like to know just to have the information. :)
 
Erdbeereis said:
I should always use a respirator when sanding right? Or are flooring samples more toxic?
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Flooring samples are probably more toxic than bare wood - there's a finish on the face of prefinished flooring you'll need to sand off. Dust of any kind is generally unhealthy to inhale, and wood dust alone can produce allergic reactions. The back of the sample will have hollows (grooves) you'll need to mill off as well. The stranded bamboo you linked is produced in China, using a bunch of Chinese adhesive, so I'd definitely wear a respirator.

ETA - Patagonian Rosewood (aka curupay) is a great wood, but not actually a rosewood. The flooring industry stretches the truth even more than the lumber industry. :)
 
I did exactly that -- made a handle from bamboo flooring. I found it a bit soft, and nearly impossible to get a nice finish on since it's sooooo porous. I strongly suggest a couple of thin-cyanoacrylate glue (crazy glue) soakings before final sanding. It it really helps a lot. You'll still need a grain filler, which can be tinted to bring out the texture. IMHO, it's a LOT of work just to make use of free wood.
 
No, you should be fine. Brush the dust off your clothes before you take off the respirator.
 
I use bamboo flooring a lot. The stuff I use is very hard and not too porous. Finishes well using paste wax.

The main reason I use this composite is it's special resin that off gases almost nothing when ground. I still use a respirator, it's not that much of a hassle and your health is the main thing.
 
I tried to use bamboo flooring for scales on a bk14. Everything went well until i tried to counterbore for hardware. The stuff just wasn't rigid enough to withstand it.....splintered all over and was ruined. Maybe you will have better luck. I should have tried using an aluminium backspacer maybe around .040" a side becuase of the 14's skeletonized frame.
 
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