Bamboo edge protection after the cut

Added December 8, 2005

Q. I am laying down white bamboo flooring mixed with brown in a basket weave pattern. I tried cutting it with a miter saw and it tended to peal some on the bottom. My concern is having a bunch of pieces with edges that aren't sealed. What can I do to protect the bamboo flooring from pealing? What do you think about joining the pieces using router and inserting a tounge between two grooved pieces as they come across each other?

A: I had the same problem you did while test cutting. I replaced my blade and stopped the blade after the bottom stroke and then did not pull the rotating blade back up through the bamboo flooring. That seemed to work. The joining technique is also commonly used.