Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Using a doorknob doesn't sound secure enough. I've applied enough pressure on the line while wrapping that I've broken the line. The break was probably at a knot, but it still seems like more pressure than a doorknob could withstand. My first few wraps, as you point out, turn out somewhat loose but that doesn't bother me much. When the wraps at the end have turned out to be loose enough to concern me, I've resorted to yanking the line that the loop pulled through and underneath some more, that will pull some of the outer loose part of the binding through. The ends might not line up as well that way, but it works. You might be able to use the same trick with the first wrap that's hard to get tight if you hold off on clipping the end until you're finished.

Even so, I suspect that part of the problem is leaving the bamboo dry out too much. If it was a good size gap I think it would be unrealistic to expect to be able to wrap a binding tight enough to pull the bamboo together after it drys out again and shrinks. This is getting beyond my experience though because the only wide crack I've repaired I used superglue and hoseclamps (I don't recommend this method, it looks like a disaster).

Hello dreamofnobody,

dreamofnobody wrote:

Hi everybody.

One my bamboo piece is cracked. The crack length is 8cm, and it’s dissects root to the center.
I’ve learned much from the forum about binding. I used binding technique shared by Perry Yong. I’ve put three windings on that piece but crack has opened again. There is some guys wrote they have the same problems with binding.

I'm glad you found my guide useful. Everyone has the same problem until you develop the technique.

I’ve learned from the forum that it’s very important to create appropriate thread tension. I fixed free end of the thread in my room door handle, and I used my own weight to pull the bamboo piece and to create good thread tension. It’s some tricky to create good tension and not to tear the thread. But after some practice you become to feel the thread and how much power you can apply to it. It seems to me that the thread tension I’ve created was not bad.

The first part of your problem is that your thread is not strong enough. You should try 25 pounds mono filament  fishing line until you can find a thread you like.

But there is two tricky moments in the binding process.

Thirst is in the start of the binding process, than you fix windings using your thumbs. There is not enough power of my thumbs to prevent slipping then I try to create good thread tension. And at this point I can apply not so much power. After I made 3 windings the thread fix itself and I can apply more power to the thread.

Second is in the end of the binding process, than you fix windings using your thumbs again and put the thread end through the loop. There is the same problem. There is not enough power of my thumbs to prevent slipping, and thread slips throw my thumb and tension becomes some weaker.

And this is two weak points in my windings. They weaken all winding tension and decrease the power I’ve applied.

You just have to get the first three windings as tight as possible. If you do one hundred bindings, the last few will be much better than the first 20. It also helps to make the windings wider.

After the process I try to move the tread in the winding with my nail, and it’s not so hard in the winding border, it’s harder in the center but I can do this. And what about your windings: can you move the thread a bit?

I usually move them in with my thumbnail as I'm winding. If I need to moved them after, I use a tool with a sharp edge and gently push.

Can you advice something to me? Is it enough your thumbs power then you make your bindings?

Yes, the thumb power is enough but you should try to find stronger thread. The kind that can take all your strength and not break. If you can not pull the end under the loop at the end of the binding, you have succeeded. You then have to find out how much to back off until you can pull it under. Every one I've learned from says to do it as tight as possible.

Once again, you will gain the technique after you've done about 100 bindings. Sounds like a lot but that can only be 10 flutes.

Good luck, Perry

tslarkin wrote:

How important is it, before binding, to close the crack, if possible, by leaving it in very high humidity? Or is it possible to bind so tightly that the binding closes the crack? Or does it not matter if the crack closes?

Good question. I've had the best luck closing cracks with humidity before gluing and/or binding. For me, it's easier and seems a gentle way to get the bamboo back into place. I've had a higher percentage of luck closing the crack first compared to filling the crack without closing. However, some cracks are stubborn and continue to open up. If that's the case, I might fill the crack up without closing first as a last resort. Of course this could all change tomorrow!

Ken