Bamboo Mat

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A Bamboo Mat

After the fun that I had making the bamboo fountain, I still wasn't satisfied,
so I decided to make a simple bamboo door mat for my studio entrance.

Bamboo is really smooth, so a mat like this is great for near your hot tub, swimming pool, outdoor shower, or anyplace that you don't want to step directly on the deck or floor surface. It's not good for indoor showers, since it doesn't absorb the water. However, if you have a Euro-style bathroom with a floor drain, that's not a problem either.

Materials: 1" bamboo cut into 36" lengths or whatever size you like, 18 gauge copper wire

Here's the process:

Step 1. Use handsaw or chop saw to cut bamboo to length. I made mine approximately 3 feet long. I say "approximately" because I didn't use a jig to make them precise. I do like the slightly staggered edges.

Step 2. Use a drill press to drill two holes on each end of the bamboo. Be sure to use a V base to prevent rolling in the drill press.
I drilled the first hole about 3" from the end, and then the second one 3/4" of an inch from that. Repeat on the other end of the bamboo. Be sure that the holes are in line with the ones on the opposite end!

Step 3. Repeat with all 20 sticks. Or the number you chose.

Step 4. Join the sticks together with copper wire.

Measure copper wire about 2.5 times the width of the proposed mat.
(For example, for a 2 foot wide mat, use 5' of wire.)

Bend in half.

Run one side through the first hole in the first stick.
Run the second side through the second hold in the first stick.

Make a double twist, as shown at left.

Line up another stick.
Run the two wires through this stick, and then twist a couple of times on the other side, as shown.

Repeat this for about 3 or 4 more sticks.

Step 5. Go back to the first stick of the mat. Cut a second piece of copper wire that is also about 2.5 times the width of the proposed mat. Wire this end of the first 4 or 5 sticks and then go back to the first side. Alternate back and forth until you've used up your bamboo. Give the wire a couple of extra twists, tuck it under the mat so that the end won't stick up and stab anyone. Trim the wire end.

KewL Mat!

Other applications: This technique is also great for making your own bamboo fencing- tall or short. You can even make very short bamboo edging (8"-10"??) for around your water garden area.