Making a stacked bamboo reel seat insert for a client rod

Bamboo is a beautiful light hard wood but is a nightmare to work with on the lathe as it has a tendency to split and come off in chunks.  This is how we take this:

The first step is to plane it to get parallel flat edges - here I am just using a standard wood plane set to a fine cut.

Once I have two flat surfaces on each side it is time to saw sections and then stack them and glue them.  

Finally drill a centre hole and turn very carefully on the lathe.  I had to sharpen my lathe chisels a couple of times through the process. I can’t emphasise the importance of patience and sharp tools. 

And this is how finished item ready to be installed.