Building my own recurve.

[TMiddleton]

Looking good. My riser is almost completely shaped. I need to drill riser and limbs....but I'm scared!

I've always drilled and had my limbs mounted before I started shaping the riser.

[LeanMachine]

That's what I planned but I couldn't see a reason to wait. I left the area around the limb pads square until I drill. I recently did some reading suggesting it is better to at least cut out the window before drilling, since you will be relieving some stress in the wood and it has the potential to move.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

That's what I planned but I couldn't see a reason to wait. I left the area around the limb pads square until I drill. I recently did some reading suggesting it is better to at least cut out the window before drilling, since you will be relieving some stress in the wood and it has the potential to move.

I've shaped the riser before too, makes it just a tad more difficult, but if you left the riser square on the limb pad area it's better.
If not square on the sides, then I use a 6 inch C Clamp pad the belly of the riser and use the clamp to hold the drilling jig in place and just make the set screws on the side hand tight. and the Clamp up side down so you have room to drill your holes.
Just make use you use the 27/64th hole and the right 1/4 inch hole.

As far as the riser moving after the window is cut? the amount is so small with hard woods you'd never see it, if at all.

The problem with cutting it before is the center line, if your limbs need to be adjusted one way or the other it will be cut past the center line or not to the center line.
I always save the riser shaping till after, thats the Me time with the bow.

[LeanMachine]

I see what you are saying about centerline. I havent rasped it down to center yet, so I still have some wiggle room. I'll just stop on that section until i get limbs on.

Limb pad area is still square so i can clamp it in a vise.

I used bingham wedges and am doing a double bolt design. The two do not go together! The wedge angles back too soon and you don't have enough flat area for a double bolt. To remedy this I glued and clamped an accent piece to the front of the limb base, around the angle of the wege. After the glue dries, I will sand that piece flat to provide room for 2 bezels. This will result in the accent piece being thinner at the base of the limb, but it is the best solution i could come up with. Needless to say, I will make my own wedges next time.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

I will make my own wedges next time.

Or just order the 10 inch wedge for a 64-66 inch bow.
I made my own wedge jig, it's adjustable for just this reason, but I now prefer double alignment pins over double bolt.
It's a personal thing. I also cast and paint my own antler knob bolts, I like those over the bolt and Bezel.

About the only thing I don't make is the 42 degree limb bolt. But at $2.65 each I just might try one here purty quick. LOL

When ya get your wedge jig made post it please, I'm sure a few others would like to see it too.

[LeanMachine]

42 degree limb bolt? You lost me

Haven't decided if I want to make a wedge jig for the table saw or build a lam grinder and make one for it.

[bassmatt72]

I'm going to try and get some shop time today or tomm., its going to be a busy week! Our daughter turns 18 and graduates this week! I'll update with pics. ASAP.

[Loreva13]

Cool thread! I will be following along.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

42 degree limb bolt? You lost me

Haven't decided if I want to make a wedge jig for the table saw or build a lam grinder and make one for it.

The limb bolt and Bezel combination is a 42 degree angle not a 45.
When I made my first Bezel on the lathe I did a 45 degree, that's when I discovered it.

I use just a regular 5/16th 18 powder coated bolt for the antler bolts now, lot cheaper.

[shark]

This is great!

[bassmatt72]

Eating supper and loading pics update in a little bit.

[bassmatt72]

Sorry you all, I was trying to do as much as I could today and didn't get as many pics..
So, today I put the center pin into the form and glued the tapers and formica strip into the form.

A guy can never have too many clamps!

Greywolf in Hawaii has been a lot of help with tips and pointers on this! If he hadn't done his thread a while back I wouldn't have known about the Bondo repair! So, My form is done and ready and here is a pose for Greywolf!

And the picture that inspired it!

[bassmatt72]

When I originally started this, almost two years back, I made patterns out of plexiglass.

Well, I need to wait and let the glue cure on the form so I decided to do a practice run on some scrap wood.

Cutting it out on the bandsaw.

I'll be using sanding drums mounted in my drill press.

Rough shaping it and a rough shaped riser! I'm actually starting to think I can do this!



Everyone I hate to say it....it might be next week before I can work on this anymore. Our daughter is graduating and also having a birthday and we are having a celebration here at the house. So, I have yard work, decorating, tables and other thing I have to do.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

Might practice sanding curves to, it's great all the things ya can do.

#49 and #50 Nicholson rasps will be two of the best things you can have. a 8 inch 4 way will be a great help too. Enjoy the birthday party the bow can wait !

[bassmatt72]

Well, I'm at the fire station today and with the birthday/graduation party coming up I think this would be a good time to order a new blade, drive wheel tires and guide blocks for my old bandsaw!