Riser Build

rock climber · January 04, 2011, 04:54:00 PM

I'm considering building myself a wooden ILF riser and was wondering if anyone on here has tried this. I've looked at several and it doesn't seem real difficult. I was also curious if anyone glues their risers together with anything other than smooth-on. I don't have a hot box and was trying to get away without building one, really not looking to try and mass produce anything.

Bradford · January 04, 2011, 05:40:00 PM

What is ILF? If you are just using wood, I have used tight bond 3 on a few risers and they are still holding together just fine after 2 years.

Also, I don't use my hot box for the risers. I glue up and place them unde my fireplace all night. Smooth on will dry in just a "warm" temp, just takes longer. I have acutally used a cardboard box and put a hole in it with a space heater. So long as you can get the temp to around 90 or so, it just takes all night to dry.

ChristopherO · January 04, 2011, 06:07:00 PM

smoothon will harded without a hot box but it takes 24 hours or more from my experience. I am more confident when it is heated, though. Just me.

Walt Francis · January 04, 2011, 06:38:00 PM

If all your laminations are wood, URAC 185 will work without a heat box. If using dissimilar materials then use Smooth-On. A temporary hot box, big enough to hold a riser and clamps, can be made with cardboard and masking tape, insulated with an old blanket or sleeping bag, and heated with a hair dryer. Other then the masking tape all the needed materials can be found around the house or can be obtained or for free. Here is what worked for me:
Build or obtain a cardboard box just big enough to fit over your clamped up riser and clamps. Make two openings in the cardboard box, one near the bottom big enough for the hair dryer nozzle to fit all the way in. Make sure the dryer is all the way in and tape or tie it into place (I used wire ties) to keep it from vibrating out. Cut another hole about the same size, five or six inches from the bottom near the corner on the opposite side, this hole allows the air to circulate and escape. Cover the box with the blanket or sleeping bag making sure the hair dryer and ventilation hole is not covered. Turn you hair dryer on high and leave it for six- eight hours. Like most things, do a dry run before gluing up your riser to make sure everything fits and works properly. One caution, do this on a non-flammable surface, I used the concrete floor in my garage.

7 Lakes · January 04, 2011, 07:47:00 PM

A couple of shop lamps will allow you to use epoxy. Due to a computer crash I can't get my website pictures back but I'm going to try copying one here. Nope it ain't working.

I can't direct you to my website but if you happen to go, look in the "Building Directions" and go down to "Grip Overlay, Picture 8. This will show the shop lamps over the riser which is all you need.

I'd hate to see you put all that time & effort into a nice riser then put it together with less than the best glue. PM me if you need more info.

Razorbak · January 04, 2011, 07:59:00 PM

Mike B.
very nice site...

IdahoCurt · January 04, 2011, 08:55:00 PM

From experience and glue failures I try to use smooth-on for everything,never had a failure with it.

rock climber · January 05, 2011, 06:03:00 PM

Thanks Guys for all your input! I talked to a friend of mine and he said he has a hot box I can use. I still was wondering if anyone has tried to build one for the ILF limbs?

don s · January 05, 2011, 06:32:00 PM

what is ILF?

Bobmeister · January 05, 2011, 07:47:00 PM

Defiantly use smooth-on, like curt said never had a failure using it.
Made a few of them ILF thingies

rock climber · January 05, 2011, 09:24:00 PM

Bob Thanks for the pictures and your input. I'll definitely use smooth-on when I decide to move ahead.Don, I believe ILF stands for international limb fitting or something like that. It's basically the system most olympic archers use and there are a ton of limb combinations you can use on the same riser.

don s · January 06, 2011, 12:43:00 AM

oh ok. thanks rc.
don

stick-n-stringer · January 06, 2011, 12:38:00 PM

Bobmeister = Where can I get the ILF inserts from? Did you machine them yourself? I'm very interested in building my own ILF risers myself and that looks like the best/easiest system I've seen yet!! Please advise!!! BTW, that's a sweet looking rigs you made!!

rock climber · January 06, 2011, 04:42:00 PM

Bobmeister, I was going to ask you the same question as stick-n-stringer? Please let us know if this is something readily available.

Jeff Nash · January 07, 2011, 08:55:00 PM

Bobmeister, that is very nice! Thanks for sharing.