I am new to bamboo rod building and am having some trouble getting my glued-up sections to come out to the correct dimensions. I planned each strip to the exact taper however after glue-up the sections are always 0.010-0.015 too big. I assume this is the glue is causing the additional thickness. Is there a "Rule of Thumb" for this or am I missing something else? I don't see any glue lines and I've inspected each section pretty closely with a magnifying glass. I can see where taking an additional 0.10 off when I'm planing the strips for the butt of a rod would be okay, but it sure wouldn't leave much bamboo at the tip! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I was hoping a few of the guys who have planed cane for awhile would spot this and add a couple pointers. I'm pretty new at planing too although I rebuilt old rods for years. I believe the main thing is experience and finding out just how thick your glue will be and how much enamel is on the strip to be removed. I figure .002 for glue and about .003 for enamel. Next rod I'm going to sand the enamel down to finish surface before I go to the finish form as I know a number of makers do. I figure this will help the strips lay in the form better. There is also the natural arc of the strip, especially in the larger ends that can throw you. Moving the strip in the form at the final stages to bring it up can help to get that last .001 measurement you are working to get.

Thanks John, sounds like good advice which will get me a lot closer to the dimension I want to finish with. I appreciate the assistance. Good luck with your rodmaking endeavors!

Tom;
Sounds like you used Urac with the walnut powder catalyst, that stuf is really thick and will make your sections much bigger than you planned on. First thing to do is to get some ammonium chloride and use that for the catalyst, it will help some, plus increase the open time just a bit. Even Epon epoxy will add a little to your dimensions, so what I do is cut the strips about 6" long, allowing 3" at each end, then set the first dimension of each section on the second station and hold the stripss to the 3" mark at that point. Set the first station correspondingly smaller, then when you trim the glued up blank it is an easy matter to find the points that correspond to the numbers you are aiming for. When you have tip dimensions that are really small, then you have to start allowing for glue. Just don't forget your node placement.
john

Thanks John, I think you are probably right. I have been using Resourcinol, but the mix has seemed fairly thick. I'm going to have to get a more accurate method of measuring my quantities. I also like your suggestion about making the sections a little longer to start with. I shouldn't have a problem doing this although it seems with the bamboo I've been getting lately I'm lucky to get the length that I need sometimes. Appreciate the help John!

Tom;
If you are using resorcinol, you can thin it with up to 10% denatured alcohol.
john