How to Make a Bamboo Lacrosse Shaft

There are titanium, aluminum, scandium, and wood shafts. Now...the bamboo shaft!

Of course one is not usually going to play with this in a game, but it has a little bit of extra weight to practice with and build up muscle strength.

This obviously does not have the strength of metal shafts, but it has feel and weight to improve your game.

• I am not liable for splinters caused by broken bamboo shafts. I do not recommend using this in games, just for use in practice with little contact. It is perfect for your shot practicing.

BUT, it will definitely turn some heads and make you popular!

Lets get started.

Here is what you will need:

• A piece of dried bamboo. From 32-36" long. I used a 36" piece, just because I can always cut it down if it feels too long. But remember, there are restrictions. Typically, the rules state that an Attackmen/Midfield shaft should be 40-42", but I feel that it is too long.
• Lacrosse head of course STX, Warrior, Brine, Gait/Debeer
• A Screw for the head and shaft Screw $0.50
• Butt End AKA End Cap End Cap $3.00 a pack
• Saw
• Dremel Tool
• Spray Paint
• Electrical tape or painters tape

As you are choosing your piece of bamboo, you want a piece that has a long portion that is extremely straight.

You can usually tell if the width of the shaft is good, by the bottom of the rod. Slide the bottom of the rod onto the head and see if it fits snugly. This is extremely important, because if it does not fit snugly, then it will not be very functional as a lacrosse stick.

Try not to go for the moldy piece of bamboo. Make sure it strong, and light. Well, as light as you can get it. It will be cut down.

I measured the bamboo to 36". It is perfect length for me, but for some it is a little bit too long.

A shaft I bought a few days ago was 33", so you should cut it a few inches long just to make sure you have enough room to trim it down a little bit.

Clamp up the bamboo rod, and get your saw handy!

Take your saw, and cut through both of the lines that you drew with your pencil.

If any splits occur during this process, make the split end, the end you put your end cap on.

Take your Dremel Tool or rotary tool, and smooth out the ends of the bamboo rod. That way, it can fit more securely in the head, as well as in the end cap.

Safety tip:

• The bamboo has some pieces that can fly off when using the rotary tool. Use goggles, save an eye.

First slide the head onto the shaft. Take a pencil and poke it into the screw hole of the lacrosse head.

Slide the head off, and take your Dremel/rotary tool and drill a hole through the dot that you outlined.

If the hole is not big enough, or does not compare in size to the hole on the lacrosse head, make sure that you extend the hole a little bit more. I just went in a few circles with the Dremel tool until the hole got bigger.

Now slide the head back on and insert the screw. The screw should be snug inside the bamboo.

Now that you know it fits, take the head and screw off the bamboo rod, because it is time to paint!

If you do not feel like painting your shaft, you can stop here. But if you want some sweet decals, read on!

I used electrical tape on my stick in a few different designs. The tape covers up the portion of bamboo color that you still want on your shaft. The untaped will be the color of the paint that you use.

I first did a zig-zag formation, then a "pixel" type tape job. At the bottom I just added my name in tape, and so on.

This step is up to you.

One tip:

• I used a lighter to heat up the tape, and this improves the bonding between the tape and the bamboo. It just holds a little better, but it is just as easy to peel off.

This was a sort of clutch rig I made.

I stuck the excess bamboo into a tree. Then, I stick the end of the bamboo shaft onto the end of the excess. This way, I could stand up and spray paint the shaft, and not use newspaper.

Clutch I say, clutch!

I used a silver spray paint I found in our workshop.

Use any color you like!

Apply a neat coating to the bamboo portion of the shaft. Leave no empty spots behind!

It is pretty self explanatory. Shake the can, spray the bamboo.

As you wait for your paint to dry...

Visit some of my other Instructables!

Now that your paint has dried, 'tis time to peel the tape off.

This is the moment of truth.

Not really, but this carefully peel the tape off of your shaft. Being careful not to scratch the paint off, and voila!

Now, reattach the head onto the newly designed bamboo shaft.

Enjoy!