I-Beam material

[skeaterbait]

I need more to do so I don't think up so many questions. I have read that folks use glass for I-beams as well as G10 and as I comprehend "some" woods are ok some are not. But what about wood that has been stabilized? Will a marginal wood that is stabilized make a solid I-beam and even a step further, will an adequate wood infused make a better I-beam?

In short, I can't afford G10.

[Crooked Stic]

For I beams I have used ipe - bloodwood -osage - etc. Any wood that will stand alone in a riser will be good for i beams . Some of the burls even stabilized I think I would want to I beam them. I have even sawed riser pieces into 3 and same wood ibeam. Just flip the middle piece to get the grain overlapping for more strength.

[Roy from Pa]

Yup what Mike said, the glue joint will add to the strength..

[Buemaker]

I have not used G10 myself, but some say you may get small cracks in the finish at the glue lines since G10 and wood works differently over time.

[kennym]

I've used glass and phenolic in risers, and had the wood change a little to where you could feel the glass or phenolic a little as it doesn't change like wood.  No cracks ever but it might be a possibility eventually..

[Bvas]

I agree with all of the above. 

I’ve been able to feel fiberglass in risers. Funny thing though, I had to refinish one of the bows.  And after refinishing the riser is fine, can’t feel it. So is just more time needed between build and applying finish?

[kennym]

It took awhile before I could feel it, the wood changes a little and the man made material not so much

[skeaterbait]

I have a bow that I can feel the the glue lines on the lams. No clue how old it is, I got it used.

So it sounds like being too poor for G10 might be a blessing in the long run?

[Crittergetter]

G10 is your friend!!!

Can’t beat it for strength and durability.
I had one bow where after a couple of years there was a small hair line between the wood and g10. It was cocobolo so I figured it must have still had some moisture to it.
Any time I’ve ever been able to feel the difference between wood and glass after some length of time the glass always feels raised. That tells me the wood shrank a little. So it stands to reason that there was still enough moisture in the wood  the cause it to shrink over time as it dried more.

Good dry wood or stabilized wood combined with g10 or glass I beam and adequately sealed and ive never have an issue. 

[Crooked Stic]

I have to agree with Critter here. Good stabilized wood with G 10 is not a problem. And if your wood is moving that much it may not have been dry enough.

[Roy from Pa]

I put G10 in all my trilam risers:)

[Crooked Stic]

They got pink G 10 to   

[Roy from Pa]

Asked Kenny for some but he won't sell it:)

[Crooked Stic]

 

[goobersan]

I imagine laminated actionwood would work well also ? Sounds like I-beam construction is more of an accent or insurance policy unless we're making a take-down style riser or 3-piece bow. That correct ?

[Roy from Pa]

Id say no to action wood.

I beam is mainly support.

[goobersan]

 

[kennym]

I put a 1/4" pc of phenolic  in a bow the other day...

I know it isn't as good as G10 but you can cut it without buying new blades after. LOL

[goobersan]

Got any in pink ?? or you holdin onto that too 

[kennym]

Got red ... that’s pinker pink ...