riser phenolic sources wanted

[eflanders]

Can you guys please advise me of some good sources for black phenolic for use in risers?

[bjansen]

Plastics International (plasticsintl.com)

They have 1 3/4" thick slabs that they will cut to your desired size.  

Tell them you want the same material Brad Jansen ordered as their is several types they have.

Its great looking, heavy duty stuff but absolutely brutal to work with.

[JJB]

I've never worked with it but am curious about it. What makes it hard to work with?

[bjansen]

It is hard as a rock...eats sand paper pretty quick.  The dust is nasty stuff and if you try to drill a hole and go too fast, the tip will heat up and create a small exposion in the hole and it will blow right back at you.

Its also a bit difficult to get a nice paper thin fade as well like you can do on many hardwoods.

[JJB]

Good to know, thanks.

[eflanders]

Thanks Brad!

[eflanders]

SOmeone suggested to me to use black leather dye on other dense woods to simulate ebony.  Has anyone else used this and what were your results?

[Robertfishes]

I have used fiberglass in a couple of risers, this riser has 3 pieces of core tuff in it, pic was taken before finish was sprayed on..I have some phenolic but have not used it yet  

[monterey]

eflanders, I used leather dye on a riser exterior some time back.  After about five years it started to fade and continues to fade.  FWIW, the color was green and it was fiebings leather dye.  The bow was stored in a dark place out of sunlight to boot.  Personally, I won't use leather dye on wood again but would like to hear from those who were successful over a long period of time.