Riser block size, help needed here (still need your suggestions)

[Troy D. Breeding]

I've been getting a lot of request to carry more riser material. What I need to know is what size block would you need to make the riser for a bow.

If I build a takedown recurve I need the block to be 3-1/2" x 19" x 1-3/4".

For a takedown longbow it requires a 3" x 17"x 1-1/2"

What say you????

This will be the a big help in determining what I pick up for riser material.

Also what would be a fair price. Now here I need realistic figures. You all know there is no way I can even buy and sell Cocobola blocks for $10.00-$20.00

The reason I say this, is I've seen 2" Cocobola wood that was in the 2"x 4"x 24" range that would have cost me over $200.00

[Troy D. Breeding]

OK fellows, I'm needing your help here. If ya'll want me to start carrying more riser material I need some help.

What material and size would you be looking for. I'll be making another material run next week and need suggestions. I don't want to buy something that want sell or pay too much for something that would result in your not wanting to buy.

[Wolftrail]

Well I don't need any, for the life of me whats wrong with using domestic woods for risers. I use some cherry, yew, maple and oak. And there are others like Locust, Osage, Elm, Black walnut.  Domestic wood is less expensive and some of it you can cut down in your back yard.

[savage1]

My stripes require 3.75 for sanding footed risers. Thats why I have passed on some of yours.. 3.75 x 17.5 x 1.75

The lams are great. Be in touch soon..
Lou

[Troy D. Breeding]

When I make this next trip I'll be looking for domestic as well as exotic woods.

The domestic woods will be:
Curly Maple
Birdseye Maple
Quilted Maple
Osage

Anything that will look good.

Exotic Woods:
Bocote
Leopardwood
Shedua
Imbuyia
Mango
Bubinga
Lacewood
Marblewood
Zebrawood
Morado

Here again just about anything that looks good.

Just need more info on the sizes you might need.

[Horn Chaser]

Troy as long as the blocks are 2.5" x 18" x 1.5". They will work for my longbows.

[monterey]

Troy, I use the following sizes.  I don't have a jointer to get perfect square sides so I'd be happy to pay up for blocks rather than try to cobble up my own imperfect ones!    

16 X 1.5 x 1.75

14 X 1.5 X 1.75

18 X 1.75 X 1.75

16 X 1.75 X 1.75

16 X 2.0  X 1.75

14 X 2.0  X 1.75

Of course, if it were not price prohibitive any of the width/depth sizes could be at max length for me to shorten up.

[Roy from Pa]

2 x 2 x 18 works.

[rockkiller]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
2 x 2 x 18 works.

X2

[timbermoose]

Originally posted by rockkiller:
 

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
2 x 2 x 18 works.

X2 [/b]

X3

[Pheonixarcher]

I prefer to start with 2" wide stock myself.

[Mark R]

My risers go from 18" to 22" long and i like 2-1/2" to 3" tall and 1-1/2" wide, that can be a glue up of different pieces in total, before working it to final shape for the form.

[R. W. Mackey]

Troy if you charge by BF, 2x4x18 = 1 board foot. Keep it simple and carry 2x4x whatever length someone needs. Let them do the cutting, I don't think you could ever satisfy everyone.
  Glad to see you interested in Riser Stock.

RW

[Pago]

The pattern I'm using calls for 3x1.75x19.

[Troy D. Breeding]

Roy,

That's exactly what I was thinking myself. I'm going to see if I can find material that will allow me to offer 2"x4"x different length blocks.

Finding 2" material may be the biggest problem. I made several calls yesterday and was able to find some material in 1-3/4" to 1-7/8" thickness, but so far nothing thicker. Most shops told me that the material they receive is 2" or slightly over in the rough and once planed smooth end up at 1-3/4" or slightly thicker.

I've located a new shop that I want to check out this afternoon. They are supposed to have a good supply of thick material. Tried to contact them yesterday, but they are only open Tue. thru Sat.

[Bowjunkie]

Troy, I know this is a bit off topic, but there are a lot of guys making wooden bows... backed bows, trilams, and such, and suppliers for good, full length, hickory, maple, white oak, etc backings are few and far between. Perhaps you don't want to bother, you're probably busy enough with glassbow lams, but I'm pretty confident folks would jump on them.

Quartersawn pieces 1/8 x 1 3/4 to 2" x 72" would work.

Sorry for the sidetrack.

[Troy D. Breeding]

I thought about trying to carry backings. The biggest problem is shipping and shipping cost.

I can get some fairly decent material. I bought a piece of hickory that was quarter sawn on one side a week or two ago. I'm thinking about making a tri-lam and didn't have anything for the backing. It might make three backings.

If I can figure out the best way to ship and keep the cost down I'll look deeper into it.

[Bowjunkie]

That was the biggest hurdle that came to my mind too... shipping. That's also why of the few suppliers that ARE out there, most like to send two 36" pieces instead. I won't buy them like that. It limits and complicates my builds.

I need to get out to some local sawmills and see what's out there... tell them what I'm in need of, maybe if they dont have it, they could keep an eye out for pieces of adequate quality..... since us bowyers ARE a picky lot :^)

[Roy from Pa]

If you knew how to make a bow then 36" pieces would suffice...        

[Troy D. Breeding]

Made a run to the local wood shop and the new shop I was told about today.

I did manage to find a few pieces for riser.

Curly Maple
Bubinga
Zebrawood
Leopardwood
and a small piece of Bocote

I'll see what sizes and how many riser blocks I can get tomorrow.

I'm going to give the material a few days to acclimate to the shop temps and humidity before I start cutting.

Once I have something, I'll be posting them on the site.