paddle build

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:28 am

thought I'd toss up a few pics from a paddle build i'm doing. It’s turning out pretty good so I thought I’d share. With new paddles going for 150-300 bucks it’s a good way to save some bucks and have fun too.

First thing I did was sketch out a blade pattern. You can design your own, or do what I did and just trace something off the net using corel. I transferred the shape to a piece of cardboard then cut it out.

the offset blade used on most standup paddles is a bit of a pain in the butt. My last build was a straight blade but this one is going more high tech. All I did was make a cut across the shaft at around 10 degrees then glued it back reversed.

A:

B:

Finally I got a bunch of wood scraps from the burn pile and glued em up. The main pieces are red cedar, the lighter stuff (it has a bit of stain on it) is some sort of hard ash or maple. I think using various bits of wood gives you a blade less likely to twist.. it certainly gives you cool looking racing stripes.

kaching!

and that's how you create.. the shortest standup paddle ever! .

more later..

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:20 pm

Heres the next part of my paddle build, canadian style!

I used a hand plane and orbital sander to thin the blade down to around 5mm, A bit thicker in the middle.

then I shaped up a handle with a rasp

next, add one recycled Easton SE16 carbon hockey shaft and that’s pretty much it!

I still just need to finish up the blade with a little glass and epoxy. weight so far is 816g, at a cost of zero $.

I think it should hold together fine... i’ve never had a blade fall out playing hockey. It is just for lake paddling anyway. Feel of the rectangular shaft could be an issue but I’ll just have to see how it goes. On the plus side I can deal out a mean crosscheck if a situation calls for it.

nanmoo · Post by **nanmoo** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:25 pm

Nice! The hockey shaft really completes the DIY nature of it well. You gots to take dat thing to Maui!

rvanderbyl · Post by **rvanderbyl** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:29 pm

You could always put a 3/8" or smaller quarter round bit in the router and soften the edges a bit. Shave off more weight too!

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:33 pm

Its a hollow carbon shaft, light and stiff but definitely not router-friendly!

i did round my handle nicely, you should check it out

rvanderbyl · Post by **rvanderbyl** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:45 pm

Sorry! Wasn't paying attention! Distracted by sunshine and some wind. You've done a fine job with materials on hand. Nice work Dave!

eastside · Post by **eastside** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:31 pm

Nice

Could even inspire a non handyman like the eastman to make one. Great to have part of your kit/gear that you made yourself. Eco-friendly to boot (unlike the rest of our gear)

KUS · Post by **KUS** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:28 pm

might wanna at least place a couple wooden dowels or biscuits on the edges of the glued seams of the paddle....a stick doesn't paddle so good

nice going tho, love the hockey stick as always

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:46 pm

the glue seams are actually super strong, i tested some of my scraps in a vise and the wood will fracture before the seam lets go. once the glass goes on things should be pretty bomber. in theory. we will see!

xmyxlife · Post by **xmyxlife** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:03 pm

Yup, Titebond 3 is where it's at. Finally a "waterproof" PVA that actually IS waterproof! Raise the roof.

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:03 am

cool, this thread got linked to standup zone, thanks to whoever did that! im not a member there but i do lurk a little.

May 31 edit
soooo ...now that ive used the frankenpaddle for a month i feel i should post a couple conclusions. best points are it is pretty light at 900g all in and works reasonably well. plus it was cheap (free) except the hours i put into it (about 5 or 6) .

downside is the shaft has a side-to side flex that results in the blade oscillating when you torque on it hard. i think this is the obvious consequence of a shaft engineered to bend for slapshots not for loading in the perpendicular direction as a paddle - this is with a 100 flex rated shaft, almost as stiff a shaft as you can get.
as a result i think its a good paddle for short bursts of paddling as you would for a surf session, or a casual outing but it's not going to be the best tool for a long or hard tour. its also good for a cheap spare and as a conversation piece.

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