Bamboo Ski Pole Restomod

[Squashfest81]

Been on the lookout for a pair of old bamboo ski poles for years.
Spied this pair on the side of the road. The good, super cool. The bad, super tall and a crack limited to between a set of those bamboo divider growth ring things.

 

[Squashfest81]

 

[Squashfest81]

The crack. Like 6 inches.

 

[Squashfest81]

Super glued and clamped.

 

[Squashfest81]

We are over 24 hours cure time and it’s feeling strong. Now we can move forward with ordering a modern tip and basket.

how to put pictures in one file

 

[gba2331]

Are you planning on using them? I have an image of me pressing hard on them and the crack giving out, so next I’m impaled on a bamboo spear. Maybe it’s okay if you’re not an aggressive skier. They would look great on the wall tho….

 

[Squashfest81]

gba, I plan to use them! You make a decent point though, maybe just take them out on those bluebird groomer days. In reality, they feel really strong.

 

[Bodj Built]

Throw a wrap of fiberglass around the length of the pole? If you can get most of the epoxy out it wouldn't add much weight

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Hell yeah! My dad ran bamboo poles well into the late 90's!

 

[Beerhippie]

Hey! Those might be my old bamboo sticks!

Bamboo ski poles were consumables. They were cheap and broke easily--just like yours.

They're so long because they were cross-country ski poles. Sizing rule was the pole fit right up into your armpit.

BTW: We pronounced the name Lily-doll back in the day. Pretty sure we didn't pronounce it correctly.

 

[MOS3522]

Second on the concerns about strength. Even with a full epoxy that pole cannot be trusted not to split under load.

Also, bamboo poles are super popular at my local mountain. This is the company that makes them. They also make a matching toilet plunger.

Grass Sticks: Bamboo Ski Poles and SUP Paddles

Lighter. Stronger. Completely Custom. Bamboo SUP paddles and ski poles built by skiers and river rats in Steamboat Springs, CO All backed with an unlimited 2-year warranty. Upgrade to bamboo this season. #bambooisbetter

www.grasssticks.com

 

[gba2331]

At this point, I’m just hoping we get some snow in the Mid-Atlantic region. Not looking so good….

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Love the resto poles!

 

[tarbellb]

Looking good and if anything will be a stronger wall decoration after a few laps

Mt.Bachelor is getting POUNDED right now!

 

[Squashfest81]

It’s been a year and I just grabbed a newer nicer pair of bamboo poles. Still cross country, but no cracks.
So, let’s machine an adapter from a fiberglass tent rod.

 

[Squashfest81]

Cut the bamboo and sacrificed a pair of old poles for the tips.

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ll make a second adapter and pick up some epoxy. I’ll also need some type of “band” at the cut end of the bamboo to keep it from wanting to split. It’s feeling like this may work out.

 

[Beerhippie]

^A ferrule will be necessary! Find a piece of brass, copper or SS tubing that just doesn't fit over the pole end and heat it up to expand it so the bamboo is compressed when it cools.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

^A ferrule will be necessary! Find a piece of brass, copper or SS tubing that just doesn't fit over the pole end and heat it up to expand it so the bamboo is compressed when it cools.

These guys sell ski pole ferrules but they have all gone plastic these days. Ski pole parts have checked with SVST and they only have the plastic style too. Bet you could fine some old metal ones off an old pair of Scott poles someone is tossing out.

Or just epoxy a metal band on the end of the bamboo and call it good.

 

[Beerhippie]

These guys sell ski pole ferrules but they have all gone plastic these days. Ski pole parts have checked with SVST and they only have the plastic style too. Bet you could fine some old metal ones off an old pair of Scott poles someone is tossing out.

Or just epoxy a metal band on the end of the bamboo and call it good.

The plastic ones are to protect aluminum and graphite poles from ski edge cuts, not to prevent splitting.

 

[Squashfest81]

Dug around today for some type of ferrule material. It’s actually a plow stick. It fits tightly on the thin end. I think I can heat gun it and slide it over. Like nice orange 1/2in rings.

 

[Squashfest81]

Got the rings cut the other night. Epoxied it all today. I think we have a decent shot that these hold up.

 

[Squashfest81]

Got the first two ski days in of the season shredding Mount Sutton in Quebec. Poles held up on everything the mountain had. No issues, but I don’t love the cross country style grips. Now I’ll get to planning the re-grip.