I want to build a new riser

[jonathan creason]

I recently ordered a 3 piece longbow for myself.  While I love the performance of the bow, I just can't get used to the grip.  It's just not very comfortable for me, I prefer a higher wrist grip.  I put it up for trade, but haven't had any interest so I thought I'd just build a new riser that fits me better.  Problem is, I'm not really sure where to start.  I don't want to sink a lot of money just to build 1 riser, so can you get blocks already glued up?  Do I need to do anything for extra strength since I want a higher wrist grip?  Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

[JamesV]

Jonathan...........

You could build up the original riser(W/bondo)and reshape it like you want, then cover with  leather. That would be an easy fix

[jonathan creason]

That may be an option, James.  Do I need to put any pins in to keep the bondo from coming off?

[macbow]

Jonathon.
Along the same lines. You might not need to build it up too far.
Layers of leather put on with contact cement and filed or sanded smooth on the edges should get you to where you want to be.
If it is a large amount then the bondo would be better, build it up in layers. Should not need any pins.

I'd go for the leather layers first, sort of reversible.
Super glue also will work,on leather if you want it hard like in petrified .

[rmorris]

Jonathan, I am guessing this is the riser you are talking about.

 

[rmorris]

Building a new riser may be more expensive and harder than you imagine, and here is why;

1. if is has the most common bolting system you will have a double threaded insert and a 1/4" dowel pin. this will cost you about $10 also you will need some riser wood material and that will cost you upwards of $40. If you do not have a super accurate way of measuring you will also need a drilling jig to get the holes in the riser perfect. I think they sell for about $30.

2. Next the angle you cut the riser for the limbs to bolt up to is very important if you want to keep the same poundage of the bow. On my bows changing the limb angle by 3 degrees changes the poundage of the bow by 10#

I hope all of this has not discouraged you but must people who make bows have jigs and fixtures and buy the wood in bulk to keep everything the same and keep the cost down.

[jonathan creason]

Yep, that's the one.

I'd like to end up with something more like the red line here:

 

Well, something close to that anyway.  There would need to be a fair bit of material added to the lower portion of the handle, so bondo may be better than leather there.  Since it's red oak, and not some exotic figured wood I may just spray bomb and swirl paint it when I'm done making covering the bondo easier.

[rmorris]

Now depending on the tools you have here is what I would do...

 Cut on the red line and glue on a block of wood big enough to make the desired grip and then reshape with a file to your specifications.

 

My last piece of advice I could give you is to cut on the redline and then use multiple layers of about 1/8 to 1/4" thick pieced of wood to layer the grip back up.

Anyway you choose to do this let us know and show us some pictures.

[rmorris]

Here is a riser i messed up and how i fixed it.

 

 

 

 

 

[jonathan creason]

I started to  make that cut a while back, but my bandsaw has a kinked blade and isn't tracking very well right now.  I need to get a new one, but it's been low on the priority list.  I may try to draw file down to that line to try to keep everything flat for glue up.

Thanks for all your help.

[jonathan creason]

With a rasp and the flat platen on my belt grinder I was able to get things pretty flat somewhere along the line shown.  Had a red oak board laying around, so I glued it on and clamped.  Hope to be able to do some shaping work this weekend.  I'll add some pics of the progress then.