Bamboo Speakers

by HaroldPenner

27K29515

Intro: Bamboo Speakers

The natural resonance of the bamboo amplifies sound without the use of electricity. An Eco-friendly product you will be proud to make for yourself or your friends.

Credits to CH.AF

STEP 1: Cut Bamboo to Desired Length

Make sure it is long enough to shape.

STEP 2: Clean Out the Inside of the Bamboo

You can use a half round file and/or sand paper (100 grit) as necessary.

STEP 3: Cut Both Sides at a Desired Angle

suggested angle (30-60 degrees)

STEP 4: Sand Bottom of Bamboo Speaker

STEP 5: Drill Two 3/4" Holes at the Top

Slot should be 3 1/2" long (For iPhone or similar sized devices)

Adjust slot lengths according to size of device.

STEP 6: Use a Saber Saw to Cut Out the Device Hole.

Some refer to this as a jig saw.

STEP 7: Drill Two to Three 3/4" Holes in the Front.

For possible better sound projection.

Alternative would be cutting two small slots in the front.

STEP 8: Sand. Keep Sanding. Just Sand It.

STEP 9: Finish.

We sprayed with clear glass lacquer. The black speaker was brushed with black automotive lacquer and then sprayed with clear gloss. Inside was either sprayed with clear gloss lacquer or painted with acrylic paints and then sprayed with clear gloss lacquer.

13 Comments

ceciliapabatao 3 years ago

Hi, im from Philippines, we're conducting a research paper ,we are using the bamboo and abaca to make a speaker, can you show me some important detail on how we can make using bamboo and abaca. And to make it nice or cool we are adding frame on side to side of the speaker, also it depends on the customer if he puts a picture, any kind of pictures like anime,catoons.

garritadegato 8 years ago

Hi, from México, I´m gonna start to make the speakers, ¿there´s a treatment to do at the bamboo before proceding, or it can be worked in natural? The speakers looks very cool. I have some scrap of bamboo from used furniture and decoration, so in fact it´s gonna be recycled bamboo, here in México it´s not easy to get long pieces of bamboo.

HaroldPenner 8 years ago

The bamboo can be worked in natural. If you have any bugs in the bamboo place it in a freezer for a day to kill the bugs. I spray the bamboo with lacquer or it can be brushed if you don't have a sprayer.
( I use my compressor and a Siphon Feed General Purpose Spray Gun
similar to http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Siphon-Feed-General-Purpose-Spray-Gun-H4920SSG/203496854) These are relatively cheap here in the Philippines)


If there are defects then I lightly sand the inside I spray or brush with a coloured lacquer. You could also use acrylic paint on the inside. My students have done both.
I use automotive lacquer for solid colours.

You could also just use a spray can of either lacquer or acrylic paint.

Hope that helps, Harold

gendor 8 years ago

Could you also use a lathe to smooth the outside instead of all that sanding?

HaroldPenner 8 years ago

Actually there is a minimum of sanding. Don't sand the outside except at the joint ridge so you can preserve the bamboo. It looks nice if it is less sanded. I would recommend only hand sanding. If you need to sand extensively then a coloured lacquer will look better. I also really like the look of the inside painted.

The Rambler 8 years ago

This is awesome! My yard was overgrown with bamboo until about a month ago when I had it all cleared out. Now I have no bamboo. I'll have to ask my neighbors if I can have a piece of theirs so I can try this.

HaroldPenner 8 years ago

The thicker walled bamboo seems to work better.
What part of the USA do you live in?
I had one request from a member wondering where he could purchase bamboo.

vesteban1 8 years ago

Where do you get bamboo?

HaroldPenner 8 years ago

You could try Bamboo Headquarters in the USA.
I checked on the internet and they sell live bamboo. They might have ideas of where you can buy bamboo. 866-293-2925

I teach at Faith Academy
which is in the Philippines so getting bamboo is relatively easy in the tropics.

Harold

BeachsideHank 8 years ago

This is a terrific blend of organic meets hi- tech, nice work folks!

astutzman 8 years ago

awesome. good job guys.