Padding the form for riser fit

[arachnid]

Hi Gang...

Say if sand the riser and it has like 95% fit on the form. Can I pad the form with some soft material so when the is clamped down it`ll get a perfect fit?
Just wondering if anyone tried something like this...

[Bvas]

I would sand to get as close as possible.  But I will admit.....I have used a small piece of masking tape to close up small spots.

Just make sure you test fit with all of your lams in place. Also, make sure the riser is perfectly  centered during dry run and glue up.  If the riser shifts during glue up, the tape could magnify gaps rather than fix them.

[arachnid]

I use a dowel to center the riser and lams on the form.

Are you using just regular masking tape or duct tape? I have the paper masking tape kind which I use on my glass lams.

[Bvas]

Just the paper kind. I just put a piece across the form where the gap is. You can see it on the center of the riser in this pic.
 

[arachnid]

Cool.
Thanks Bvas

[Crittergetter]

I've used a couple layers of paper towels one time. I had a phenolic riser that was being a pain to fit. It was oh so dang close and the more I messed with it the worse it would get. So I got it back to almost perfect and  put a couple layers of paper towels on the form before I glued the stack . It worked great!

[arachnid]

That`s a great idea Crittergetter... should post it on the tip and tricks thread

[Mad Max]

I have used styrofoam packing (same thing as a coffee cup)
I resaw it to 1/8" or so for overlays. I cut a 2x4 close to the curve of the riser and use the foam to push the overlay's tight. works really good.If you could saw it thin enough it could work on the form.

I have some other packing that is more porous and more flexible at 1" or 2" thick you can bend it. I have resawn to about 1/16" or less for the form and it works really good.

[Pago]

I have never used painters tape to close up a gap I could not close up now matter how many times I tried, never.   :D

[Kunzie]

I use a strip of rubber base molding cut to width. It is thin and dense. works great.

[JamesV]

Kunzie......

I use the same material, full length, on my form for every bow I build.

James