Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on May 19, 2015, 04:09:19 pm

Title: Riser material
Post by: DC on May 19, 2015, 04:09:19 pm
I'm working on a Douglas Maple bow. It's 1 1/8" thick at the handle so for comfort I have to build it up a bit with a riser. Does it matter what wood I use? I'm thinking that if it's too stiff it might want to pop off. On the other hand, stiffer might help keep the handle from bending so maybe it would help keep if from popping off. I know, I know, I think too much ;) ;) The riser will  only be  about 3/8" thick so it probably doesn't matter.
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: huisme on May 19, 2015, 04:38:12 pm
Try cork ;)

http://imgur.com/a/WgIvv (http://imgur.com/a/WgIvv)

http://imgur.com/a/Ktzpd (http://imgur.com/a/Ktzpd)
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: bubby on May 19, 2015, 04:46:25 pm
Cork
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: Spotted Dog on May 19, 2015, 04:52:23 pm
Why not use wood from your stave ? Cut it , fit it and glue it. If it doesn't fit right rasp it down to fit.
Same wood.
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: wizardgoat on May 19, 2015, 05:17:53 pm
I use thick scrap leather to build up handles. Haven't tried cork yet but I'm sure it's better
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: DC on May 19, 2015, 05:22:23 pm
Cork sounds good. I had forgotten about it. I would have used Doug Maple left over from the stave but there was no pieces thick enough. I could have laminated a couple of thicknesses but why advertise bad glue joints?  :-[  I can make almost perfect glue lines as long as I can use dark wood ;D ;D Leather scraps I got. I bought a bag of ends from Michaels. Scrap is a better name for it.
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: Pat B on May 19, 2015, 06:52:26 pm
I've used shoe leather saturated in super glue to build up risers and for tip overlays.
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: Dakota Kid on May 20, 2015, 12:02:09 am
You can use harder woods if you laminate them. If your glue joints are "bad", you should sand the pieces longer/flatter or use a different glue if it's a color thing. My first osage bow was from a thin stave. I glued a scrap piece from the stave to build the handle. After several pop offs, I ended up splitting the handle piece piggy back style and glued a couple lams in between and one on the non-rest side. Haven't had an issue since.
Title: Re: Riser material
Post by: Aaron H on May 20, 2015, 07:32:54 am
Yep, cork