Cocobolo & Paduak - anything to know?

[derekdiruz]

Ordered a blank of cocobolo & one of Paduak for various risers I'm trying to make. This is for a takedown bow, so just for the risers and a few small overlays on limbs. The riser I put a single splice down the middle of. Having never worked with either of these woods previously, are there any helpful hints or tips you all have for it? Gluing, sanding, cutting, etc?

Gluing: Limb pad phenolic overlays, phenolic splice in the riser.
Cutting: CNC Milled with a carbide bit
Sanding: mild shaping done after primary milling and finish sanding prior to sealing/finish.


Genuinely appreciative of the large insight provided on this forum. Thank you all.

[Kirkll]

Cocobolo is oily wood... So you want to freshly sand it prior to glueing it... If it sets over night, sand it again lighty before lay up. Paduke is a brittle wood and somewhat porous. Can be used in risers and as laminations.

I wouldn't recommend using phenolic as an accent line in the riser. Use wood accent lines. It's fine for overlays or limb pad caps, but using it as an accent line can cause issues inside a laminated riseras the MC level changes. The expansion and contraction rates are different than wood and can cause cracking at the accent line, or even a failure. Same thing with glass... don't use it as accent lines....

hope this helps.... Kirk

[kennym]

Kirk X 2

[derekdiruz]

And this is why I ask. Thank you both!!

[derekdiruz]

How about phenolic for limb pad overlays? What say you there?

[KenH]

Wear a mask or respirator! 

[Crooked Stic]

Coco might break you out. about like poison ivy for me and dont breath the dust'

[Kirkll]

How about phenolic for limb pad overlays? What say you there?

I use it on my riser limb pads all the time. I rough it up with 80 grit on the glue side first. Works well with CA or epoxy.

It can be used on the limb butts on ILF limbs too.   Kirk