Threaded Inserts for Bamboo

[dlu]

I made a nice big bamboo cutting board by joining some smaller ones from IKEA, but my plan for a hook on the front edge to hold it steady didn't work. So, I'm thinking that I'd like to put four threaded inserts in the corner and bolt it in place from below. I don't want the inserts to come up through the cutting board, so I was thinking of using something like the brass E-Z Lox knife edge inserts.

Will they work in bamboo? Are there better options?

Thanks!

 

[mwolczko]

I haven’t tried them in bamboo but I put a dozen into teak just yesterday.  I can’t see why it wouldn’t work, just size the hole correctly.  I used an insert driver from Lee Valley (https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/bits/110061-insert-nut-driver); I’ve had the other kind (with wings that engage the slots) shear off when driving into hard wood.

 

[BobA]

Is it bamboo laminate?  If so it is very tough stuff.  I would try a test on a piece of scrap, you might want to go to a slightly larger bit. 

 

[mwolczko]

If you can’t drive a brass insert, you could try precutting the thread using a steel one, or failing that, a bottom tap.

 

[dlu]

Is it bamboo laminate?  If so it is very tough stuff.  I would try a test on a piece of scrap, you might want to go to a slightly larger bit.

It's a whole bunch of strips of bamboo put together like a 5/8" (ish) gluelam. I was wondering about that. Thanks.

 

[dlu]

I haven’t tried them in bamboo but I put a dozen into teak just yesterday.  I can’t see why it wouldn’t work, just size the hole correctly.  I used an insert driver from Lee Valley (https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/bits/110061-insert-nut-driver); I’ve had the other kind (with wings that engage the slots) shear off when driving into hard wood.

That's encouraging – hard to imagine that it's much harder than teak.

 

[Cheese]

That's encouraging – hard to imagine that it's much harder than teak.

That is exactly the issue, we don't know how hard the substrate you're using is.

Janka Numbers:
Carbonized Bamboo...1180
Bamboo...1410
Bamboo Strand...2790

Burma/Thai Teak...1000
Teak...2330

If this were my project, I'd just treat it like aluminum, you can drill it and you can thread it, that's a good thing.

Just take a sample of the bamboo that you're using and experiment by drilling several different diameter holes, thread in the insert and reflect upon the insertion difficulties. At some point in time you'll arrive at a solution that works for you.

As much as we all want to find an easy answer to our question at hand, sometimes experimentation is the quickest and most prudent method of evaluation.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I agree with Cheese...I think...

Just get a coarse thread tap of whatever size fastener you want and tap the bamboo. That stuff is tough. I imagine it would thread nicely.

 

[Svar]

Tap is unlikely to work. Outside thread on most inserts is not standard.
I don't understand why it has to be so complicated (bolting the board in place), but you could make larger holes and epoxy the inserts or use wood screws.

 

[Cheese]

Ya I agree with Svar, a normal tap is probably not in-sync with the threads of the metal insert because when it comes to these niche items, there are no rules. That's why the best solution is to drill varying hole diameters and then try to thread in the insert. As you try to insert the insert, you will be able to feel what feels good and what will work for your situation.

As much as I like engineering standards, there is no larger arbiter of the law than "this works for me."

 

[rvieceli]

Let me suggest another solution. Instead of a ledge to keep the board in place, use pegs made of a couple of dowel pieces. Drill a through hole on each end of the board. Place the holes slightly in from the front edge and in from the sides. Use a wedged tenon and some epoxy to secure the dowel. Flush cut the excess and sand. Done

[attachimg=1]

Ron

 

[Cheese]

Let me suggest another solution. Instead of a ledge to keep the board in place, use pegs made of a couple of dowel pieces. Drill a through hole on each end of the board. Place the holes slightly in from the front edge and in from the sides. Use a wedged tenon and some epoxy to secure the dowel. Flush cut the excess and sand. Done

[attachimg=1]

Ron

Now that's a real nice look Ron.  [big grin]

 

[jeffinsgf]

I wasn't suggesting tapping for the outside of the insert, I was suggesting tapping instead of an insert.

 

[Koamolly]

There are lots of non skid feet/mats/devices allowing easy cleanup under cutting board.  Wondering, what is the reason to screw it down?