TD riser from a block of wood?

[Chris Shelton]

Alrighty guys, I am going to attempt to do something kinda odd.  I want to build a riser for my take down recurve, I figure if I can get through this I will go for some limbs next!  I am going to go out and "make" my own block of wood out of solid black walnut.  So it is not going to be easy.  I have a lumber yard right down the way here so I am thinkin I am gona split it down to relative size and get them to plane it down to the exact starting measurement.

So my question is . . . I only have usage of a band saw, that I dont even know works and a belt sander and a dremel?  And if I can ever get a job I am going to buy a benchtop spindel.  But minus the spindel can it be done?  

I have no idea what I am getting into so  . . .

[rpembert]

Be REALLY careful with black walnut because it has a tendency to check or crack after the first couple of shots with the bow. When I build risers I will laminate black walnut instead of using a block. I will make my lams about a 1/4 thick to insure that there is no knots or other defects in the wood. I am not saying that it will happen every time but even then I am still cautious. Don't want you to mess up a pretty bow!

Thanks,
Joshua

[jess stuart]

If you are asking is it can be done with the tools that you listed.  I would say yes it may be slow and difficult but you can do it.  I cut the first riser I made out with a hacksaw, and with a whole bunch of rasp work it turned out okay.  It wasn't a work of art but that was because it was my first not the tools that I used.

[Mike Most]

Chris,

I think that with the tools mentioned you will get a good idea of what works and what doesnt.

I remember the first ones that I did, I spent a lot of time with a rasp learning to shape the riser after bandsawing (I still use mostly hand tools for shaping).

One of the issues with the solid block of wood for a TD riser is the threaded insert placement.(and the possibility they could pull out of a soft piece of wood,(cedar fence board comes to mind)when under pressure) Most of the guys that make takedowns reinforce them by laminating some type of phenolic (linen based) between different types of wood.

I did two bows, one with walnut and purple heart and the other with bacote and walnut. They were in the 38-43# range for my grandsons.

The added strength from different types of wood (density) I am sure would be based on experience of the craftsman.

I am no expert by far but I am sure some of the other guys here will chime in soon.

At any rate my 2 cents and good luck on your endeavor, (pictures will be expected sir)

Mike Most  

[kennym]

Good advice above, if splitting from a log,it will probably check for sure.

You will be happier in the long run getting dry 3/4 boards and laminating an accent in for safety.