American chestnut

[chefrvitale]

Hello all, my friend wants me to build a bow for his dad using reclaimed wormy chestnut from his families original farmhouse built in the 1800s.
I don't trust it for a riser but it might work as the limb veneers......Have any of you used 150 year old American chestnut full of worm holes?
I'm thinking if I make the veneers thin enough to saturate all the way through with epoxy that it will hold up. Anyway, before I commit to this project I would love to hear some thoughts.
Thanks

[KenH]

I use reclaimed chestnut for musical instruments, but nothing under bow-type tensions. Wouldn't use it as a riser, either.   However, sliced into veneer or lams and under glass it should be just fine.

[Crooked Stic]

I think being veneers are.030 or less about anything would work. You have glass and core to support it.

[Stagmitis]

A wormy chestnut riser would be cool! You could stabilize and I-beam-

[Burnsie]

A wormy chestnut riser would be cool! You could stabilize and I-beam-

^^^^
This

[KellyG]

If you try it, I just hope you post pictures of it.

[chefrvitale]

Hes mailing some pieces this week, I'll snap a pic of what they look like.
Im going to give it a shot.
Thanks for the input guys

[Kirkll]

You can build risers from most any material if it's reinforced properly with a decent I beam. I've used wormy English walnut on many bows that were gorgeous!  No worries on veneer stock either, but don't try grinding it too thin. .030 is pretty safe. Thinner than that and your drum sander starts eating the veneers.   Kirk

[Pat B]

You could add wormy chestnut veneers to the outsides of your riser as an accent.