Just making a riser..

[ks_kiwi]

OK, I'm an UTTER neophyte at this... but I enjoy working with wood and have a few tools.
I was thinking that rather than having a crack at a entire bow right out of the gate, maybe I could just create my own riser and then buy some stock limbs for it...?
I'd be open to either longbow or recurve assuming there are decent limbs to be purchased for each.
I guess what I'm looking for is good links or suggestions for getting started.
Obviously, I'm starting to chew through this section of tradgang but there's alot of info here and much of it 'above my head'.
I appreciate any feedback/pointers.

[ks_kiwi]

OK - here's my first basic question...
Can I make a riser out of a single "chunk of wood" or do there have to be laminations or something for strength?
I have access to alot of osage and it's pretty tough..

[Pluck Yew]

I would think it pretty difficult to find or match limbs to a riser they were not designed for...why not buy a blank and start that way? contact one of the sponsors that are bowyers..

Shawn...

[bjansen]

You could also try to buy some limbs on **** and then make a riser to fit it...but I agree starting with a nicely glued up blank like the sponsors sell would be a great project and a great way to start.  

As to your riser question, its all matter of your specific piece of wood and how thin you are making the handle, etc...i have done it several times with no laminaitons..

[Mike Most]

If your looking for more information check out bingham projects.com. They have some patterns you could look at and get ideas for your riser.

I have made a couple of recurves from a block of maple that I had laying around. I used the binghams actionwood block for a first riser, it isnt one piece (because its laminated) but it sure is pretty. I have made several longbows with one piece risers out of bacote. (they are still shooters)

Good Luck Mike

[donw]

you can make a riser from whatever you wish. (i would NOT use any soft woods, though) some hardwoods, like manzanita and ribbonwood will crack and split naturally, too; not a good choice.

i've made laminated risers from hardwoods from pallets that came out OK