Thought you guys might be interested in seeing what can be accomplished with bamboo scaffolding. Saw this in Hong Kong in 96. Also, I included a picture of some typical Korean roofs.
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Les Barrett Quality Construction
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I remember watching the workmen erect bamboo scaffolding in Japan a long time ago. Kinda neat. Workmen wearing white hardhats, a sheath knife, a hank of bamboo strips and footies with a separate pocket for the big toe working many stories up. They would space themselves along an upright and work long pieces of bamboo up a few feet at a time with a hup-hup-hup cadence.
These guys would be walking dozens of stories up on a single piece of bamboo something like 5" in diameter. As I remember it all the connections on the scaffold were produced by lashing with bamboo strips.
I remember a newspaper article about what happened when a typhoon hit and there were two construction sites one with traditional bamboo scaffolding and the other with western steel bucks and braces.
Come the next day the steel scaffold was almost totally wrecked and had fallen down. The bamboo suffered minimal damage and was still standing tall. The two sites were across the street from one another and their was a dramatic photograph showing the difference. Might be something to that bamboo scaffolding.
I'd use duct tape.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
They used plastic ties the last time I checked them out last June. Black UV rated polyethylene I believe.
While stationed in Korea for two years, I learned how to do many things differently. I would not recommend all of these methods, but some of them are worthy of thought. These folks are not OSHA-paralzyed. I also don't believe they have a higher accident rate than what we find in the USA. I just wish I had taken more pictures. I remember Korean construction workers in mid-winter wearing t-shirts on the job - I still haven't figured that one out!
I saw things in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and a few other places that caused me to make a shift in perspective - otherwise known as a paradigm shift.
There is another whole world out there. Those who have not been outside of our borders should maybe take a trip.Les Barrett Quality Construction
Good photos.Better remark!Happy New Year!
I've been harvesting bamboo every fall for several years at a property whose owner is glad I am doing this to help keep the grove under control.I use them for fences and privacy screens.Attached is a picture of this year's second load of harvest.
The picture doesn't accurately show the number of poles that are lashed to the car.
On the other side of the car is another pile of poles that are drying out.In previous years I was using a hacksaw with a metal blade.
This year I bought a 18-V DeWalt reciprocating saw (already had several 18V batteries) which sped up the harvest cutting.
Clever Man!Bamboo,rust proof Volvo...hummm.Happy Christmas!
Greetings Ahneed,
Was wondering if you could list the state or region where you are located at in your profile.
You got me to wondering where someone was harvesting bamboo at.
Cheers.
be a profiler
Good morning, Rez -"Golden bamboo" is a fairly common variety in the U.S., including southwest Virginia (USDA Zone 6 - 7) where mine are harvested.
The younger ones have a telltale zig-zag growth near the base and can grow to over 30' in a given season but not suitable for harvesting the first year.
They can become 5-6" in diameter, but 4-5" for mature ones is typical.
As for scaffolding material, it should be possible but maybe not for a highrise project.Our area isn't quite warm enough to support the growth of timber bamboo.
Folks in Georgia and south are able to grow them.
Thank you Ahneed. That is interesting.
I understand the construction trades are filled with ferociously independent individuals who for the most part do not like having anyone recommend or even remotely suggest anyone attempt to tell them what to do and I also find myself listed therein.
So I can value your choice not to place a general location in your profile as one of merit for it seems the world is always trying to put man in a box somehow.
Concerning your first post as an example, having a location listed would have ended the quest there thus eliminating an additional motion to secure data.
Often times similar occurrences develop here on Breaktime in respect to questions and comments on roofing, heating and other threads of various subjects where knowing a posters general location would simplify and help smooth the flow of communication regarding such, this aim of which is the sole reason I dared the request in the first place.
Just wanted you to be aware of that.
That's all. Cheers.
be a profiler
Rez;I understand what you're saying and didn't mind at all at your inquiry.Will enter the info in my profile.
However, I'm just a longitme subscriber to the magazine.
Not in the building trade at all.
Know just enough to call in the pros when needed and stay on the good side with inspectors.
We are building, one brick at a time.
Pursue peace.
great pics les i enjoyed looking at them.....
it's stronger than steel scaffold/bracing lash it w metal or plastic ties on commercial jobs if an area gets soft, they just reinforce w additional bamboo and ties cheap, plenty of it around
Interesting pics, Les.
I wonder how their scaffold accident rates compare to ours.
I'm thankful for the loyal opposition! It's hard to learn much from those who simply agree with you.