handle/riser problems

[k-hat]

So i'm tillering away on my hickry pyramid bow and notice a problem:  My "stiff" handle is flexing during brace and draw and threatening to pop off the riser.  Here's the specifics:

It's a hickory board, 2" at the fades to 3/8" at tips.  The limbs are .5" thick, the fades taper up to 15/16" in the handle(upon which  a riser is glued), and (as you transition from limb into handle)the thickness begins to increase before the width starts to decrease (this is the correct way as i understand it).  
Yet, as i was bracing, i noticed it starts to gap at the glue line on the riser when flexed.  She's at 35# at 16" right now (shooting for 60ish).  The handle shouldn't be flexing at all given the thickness it has, I wouldn't think, so i think the glue is not even the issue.

My measurements tell me the wood shouldn't be flexing in the grip, and I've done several similar handles where this was not a problem, but the wood will do what it does.    :confused:  

I thought about taking the riser off and building up with leather, but I've already cut in a shelf almost 1/4" from center and am worried about that creating a problem.

Anyone have this happen before?  Got any solutions?

[PEARL DRUMS]

It sounds like a fade length issue to me Kevin. Either that or they are too abrupt?

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Might do doing a laminated handle to stiffen it up. If you use a few layers and good glue you should be alright.

 What kind of glue did you use? If your using tite bond make sure the mating surface is good and flat.

[k-hat]

Chris: Fades are 1.5 inches long, I usually do 2, but decided to add some limb length via shorter fade.  I've seen lots on here and PA with 1.5" so i figured it was worth a go.  I don't think they are too abrupt, curve follows a 10" diameter.  I'll get some pics tonite and post.

Stiks:  I've thought about doing that.  I've got some a 1/8 hick lam I had a friend plane for me that would match ok.  Maybe I'll do several alternating layers of my riser material (mahogany, i think) and the hickry.

The glue was 2 part epoxy (loctite i think).  This is the second handle i've used it on that has developed problems.  Mating surfaces were as good as could be, cleaned with acetone.  If i do the laminated handle i'll do the TB2.

Appreciate the responses guys.

[PEARL DRUMS]

One thing to think about with pyramids is the full circle tiller gets the near handle wood bending a little more than an elliptical.

[k-hat]

Well there ya go.  I should've figured on that, but this is my first pyramid.  Maybe next time i'll do 2 inch fades n see if that will help. If this is the problem it looks like i'll be doing a multilam riser.  It's not much bend, not even perceptible except for the riser separation.

[k-hat]

Well, finally got that stack glued up and attached, so far so good!  Pulling 35#@18" right now.

Here's the handle area w/o riser, the tapers and fades still need some finessing of course:
 

Here's the new riser attached.  Strips of hickory and mahogany about 1/8" thick each:
 

And here she is at 18".  From a 5.5" brace, 1/8" + tiller.
 
Mr. Gizmo says she's pretty close, but i think she needs to loosen up some in the mids, but that may just be my eyes used to elliptical tiller.  I may scrape a little more midlimb anyway to take some stress off the near handle.

[k-hat]

During my break today I'm going to brace her and do a gizmo check, scrape and exercise if need be to make sure she's perfect at brace, then pull to 5# under draw weight and see where she is.  Hope to have her shooting at full draw by the time i go to work Saturday morn