walnut for a riser?

[Scott Beitzel]

was wondering i just happen to have two nice chunks of walnut that i was saving for a gun stock . ( but i have already made two of those )
but i was wondering if i could use walnut for a riser or would it not be sutiable for that .
should i add anything to it to laminate it or would it be fine by itself .
i'm thinking a takedown longbow for my winter project.

and i guess if so i would need some ideas for shaping the riser i have nothing here to go off of .
as in the shape of the of the handle and the angle of the limb area. or is this somethign you just haveto do on your own fit .


thanks in advanc e for the info ,
Scott

[jess stuart]

Scott are you planning a three piece.  If so Binghams has a set of plans that quite a few quys on here have used.  That would take care of riser shape and angle for the limb platforms.  If your weight isn't to high walnut would likely be fine depending on the individual piece.  Personally I would laminate some glass or phenolic into the riser, much stronger and looks good as well.  Your are going to have a blast and it won't be your last.

[rogers]

I build alot with walnut, its easy and cheap to find at the sawmill.  Good light wood for limbs and beautiful in the riser.  Be sure to use plenty of glass in the riser for strenth, walnut is realitively brittle.

[Roy from Pa]

Here is walnut and osage.

[hova]

lawd!

[Scott Beitzel]

ok am gonna give it a roll here  when the time is right .
will post some pics maybe as i go along with the riser build and such . would like to see that one all cut out and ready to go roy.

Scott

[RAU]

I built a glass bow with a walnut riser and ended up having the riser crack. My own fault tho. I made the handle too thin and didnt add any laminations to the riser. It is pretty wood and if laminated with glass, phenolic, or similar i wouldnt hesitate to use it again. It was a great looking bow, just needed som reinforcement

[Roy from Pa]

You will Scott, prolly a month or so though.

[David Ricke]

I have used Walnut. No problem I think lamanating it with another wood makes it stronger.  Knifemaker

[Robertfishes]

From what I have read on this forum and other forums it's best to add some glass and/or wood to walnut risers for strength. KennyM cut this one for me before I made a swing jig for my band saw. this longbow has two .050 pieces of glass and a curly maple beauty stripe, bow is 42# @28"  

[hova]

nice^^^

[Scott Beitzel]

nice lookig bow robertthats kinda what i am going for but am going to try my hand at a 3 peice longbow .

Scott