After checking this site daily and becoming obsessed with trad bows, I decided to make one following Roy's build.  The initial glue-up went great.  I  am concerned about the riser though and thought I would ask the pros.  I used plenty of glue(Unibond 800) and  plenty clamps but developed a bad glue line.  The question is should I cut it off and redo or can I fill it with glue.  I did stick a piece of paper in it and it doesn't seem very deep,1/8th inch maybe.  Also I would like to cut out an arrow shelf and was wondering if a 12 " riser will allow me to do that.  Any pics of a Roy type build with an arrow shelf would be helpful.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Welcome to trad gang..

Well first off, did you have the riser piece and belly of the bow mated good? I hold them up to a light and look for no light showing through. I also have the belly lam of the bow and the riser section I am gluing on, both about 1/2" wider than my finished handle will be. Then after the glue is dry, I cut out the bows profile to my handle width. But if the depth of the lack of glue is only 1/8th deep, I would just fill it with glue. How long is the section void of glue? You could cut in an arrow shelf, but you should maintain at least 5/8th width, 3/4" is better, of wood left to support the riser section. What weight bow you looking for when finished? You have any pictures? I don't cut in a shelf, I build one out of leather..

 

Ok I think I have a picture uploaded.  I am looking at making around a 50lb bow.  Thanks for the quick response.

If that's only 1/8th deep, I would fill it with glue.

Is there any fade area on those limbs. ?

Wolftrail +1
You might be setting up for a riser popping off once you get it bending with no added thickness to the belly lam. Unless that maple(?) is a long powerlam.
Use some good epoxy and heat it a little to get it to flow. Then clamp up tight. Even squeezing the area in a vice will help to suck in the glue, keep tightening and loosening the vice jaws and you should see air bubbles coming out.

In his first post he said he is following my builds. Thus after he cuts the square riser block out like I do, he will have his fade/power lam if you will.. I also hold my flares 1 1/4" width out another 6 inches into the limb to beef up that area, then do a straight taper to the tips.

 

 

 

Thanks Roy, I wasn't sure what Wolftrail was asking.  I'm new to this stuff.

Here is a link to some terminology on bows.

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=006396