Paper Phenolic

[styksnstryngs]

I have a sheet of tan paper phenolic, 1/4" thick, and I plan on using it in a riser. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff? I know people usually use linen phenolic, hoping this stuff is similarly strong. I know Big Jim stocks some real thick paper phenolic in his shop, and I think it's the same stuff he uses in his bows, so I'm just looking to make sure I'm not crazy trying to use this stuff. It is real smooth stuff compared to linen or canvas, so I'll be sure to rough it up plenty before gluing it up. A buildalong is in the works, if you guys are interested. BTW, how long does it take after moving to Texas for me to be able to say y'all casually? It's been two years and I still can't do it.

[Flem]

I have made and used both paper and cloth phenolic's. Have not noticed any strength issues with either. As long as they are made with epoxy and not fiberglass resin, they all should work fine. I have lived in Idaho and Montana for 40+ yrs and still can't say crick' instead of creek!

[Robertfishes]

I used a 1.75 wide piece of paper phenolic for a riser once. One thing about it was that you need to make sure you are using new sharp belts on your sander. I use Zirconium belts and wear a respirator.  When shaping the riser and thinning the fades I would get a bad head ache in a couple of minutes. I had trouble getting the fades paper thin, they would curl up and get brittle..I ended up getting them thin and then I added a "power lam" extended 4 inches past phenolic end and sanded it paper thin at the new fades.

[Robertfishes]

I have used phenolic tips on 99% of my bows and that one thick block was the only one to give me a head ache. The one piece riser I made looks pretty nice. Since you are using a 1/4" thick piece I'm sure you will be fine. The heat from sanding is what curled my phenolic fade tips, I was trying to sand it like wood I guess?

[skeaterbait]

I have made and used both paper and cloth phenolic's. Have not noticed any strength issues with either. As long as they are made with epoxy and not fiberglass resin, they all should work fine. I have lived in Idaho and Montana for 20+ yrs and still can't say crick' instead of creek!

Curious, why will the resin not work?

[Flem]

Fiberglass resin is not as strong as epoxy and there are compatibility issues with fiberglass resin and epoxy. Thats assuming the riser is going to be glued up with epoxy.

[skeaterbait]

Thank you sir.

[C. Johnson]

I had a sheet of old, paper Micarta that I used for accent strips in a riser.  Of course, it was only .060", but I had no issues with it.  Never used it for an I beam in a riser though.

As for getting used to saying Y'all in Texas, I never could.  Of course, I couldn't ever get used to Texas.  I spent a year in Houston when my ex-wife and I moved down there for her job.  Worst time of my life.  I couldn't get home fast enough.

Two years later when they offered her a promotion contingent upon moving back down there, we ended up getting divorced over it. That whole experience cost me nearly 50 Grand.  Worth. Every. Penny. No regrets.  I can't condemn the whole state, but Houston, no thanks.

Rant over......