Quote from: derekdiruz on September 16, 2025, 10:07:33 AMI use a CNC. I'm a 1 man shop, and the real benefit with a CNC is allowing me to do something else.
For instance, it's much quicker to just hold a limb edge against a belt sander to profile it. But the CNC takes 1 minute to set up, and while I'm able to prep another glue up, or do tips, or anything else, it's profiling the limbs.

Bed size, spindle/router size, bit size, stepper motor sizes, all play into the efficacy of the CNC.

You can get a tiny one that uses palm routers and do risers just fine. The bigger hold up is the design. Most of those will come with base level software and not have the ability to design in 3D. With that, you'll have a riser that's consistently cut with say, pad angles, but you will have 80% of the work left to do by hand with shaping.

If you plan to get into CNC, you'll likely want to go the route of 3HP spindles or bigger, so you can use 1/2" bits not just 1/4" bits. The bigger CNC will include higher end software (or you could spend a few thousand to get this software otherwise) to allow you to get deeper into design. The feed rates of better CNC may be in the 400 IPM range versus the 150 IPM max range, meaning you have much less time running the machine.

There's a massive learning curve to CNC. It's not just "buy one and go" unfortunately.
I've used mine for roughly 200 bows over the past 3 years, and I feel like I'm only about 60% of the usage I could be with it.

Good luck, if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to help.

What Cnc machine would you recommend looking at for purchasing?

Quote from: McDave on Today at 09:14:17 AMIdeally, an endless string should have just enough twists so the string holds together as a unified whole and is not just a collection of individual strands.  If there are more than two twists per inch, that is too much in my opinion.  Others may differ.  My experience is that the first 15-20 twists after the string is made don't seem to change the length very much, but after that 4 twists should make a noticeable difference in the length.

You want to twist it in the direction that twists will tighten the center serving.  With the bow unstrung, twist the center serving in both directions.  One direction will tighten it; the other direction will loosen it.

Thanks, McDave!

This is one I just made last night. I have written complete instructions for making endless strings, if anyone is interested.

Ideally, an endless string should have just enough twists so the string holds together as a unified whole and is not just a collection of individual strands.  If there are more than two twists per inch, that is too much in my opinion.  Others may differ.  My experience is that the first 15-20 twists after the string is made don't seem to change the length very much, but after that 4 twists should make a noticeable difference in the length.

You want to twist it in the direction that twists will tighten the center serving.  With the bow unstrung, twist the center serving in both directions.  One direction will tighten it; the other direction will loosen it. 

What Kirk said and in addition I've heard of some that routinely do splices and they swear be Elmers's wood glue MAX specifically. I've never tried it myself but plan too.

I've always shot flemish strings before and am thinking of giving endless loop a try.  From what I've seen, it seems to be standard practice to twist them to adjust brace height and keep them round just like you would a flemish.  How much adjustment can you typically get out of an endless loop by twisting it, and does the direction of twist matter?

Happy Birthday, Ken. That looks like a great way to celebrate. Enjoy.

Happy birthday and good memories!

I sand all my risers to 600, some even higher. Then I apply 4 coats of Mas epoxy, waiting for each to cure to get the stickiness of masking tape, then applying the next coat the same way. I let the epoxy cure for a few days, then sand till perfectly smooth with all pores sealed. This method has always worked for me!

Thank you, Kirk!
Yeah, you assume correctly, no drum sander.
I appreciate you sharing your insights and advice.
Thanks and take care!