Birdsmouth oars | SouthernPaddler.com

Birdsmouth oars

tx river rat

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2007
3,043
2
Waco Tx
I have built some paddles but never a oar or a birdmouth type shaft. So I figure there is no time like the present so here we go.
Had some cedar strips 1/4 thick so I ripped the 45% angle in the edge.

paddle006.jpg


did this to seven pieces and the glued them up with tit bond II



paddle009.jpg


The zip ties work well to hold them together.

view from one end

paddle008.jpg


after they dried I took a plane and rounded them up.
Ron
 

tx river rat

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2007
3,043
2
Waco Tx
glued up some scrap cedar and turned the handles and plugs

paddle010.jpg


glued them in

paddle011.jpg


then I glued up the blades and ran them through the planer

paddle012.jpg


After gluing in the plug I thinned some tite bond and poured it into the shaft rolled it around and coated the inside.
Ron
 

tx river rat

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2007
3,043
2
Waco Tx
Trimed the tip piece , it laps inside the shaft for an inch and a half.
here is one I am fitting

paddle017.jpg


one glued in place

paddle016.jpg


then I started sanding and finishing the shaft.
Ron
 

tx river rat

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2007
3,043
2
Waco Tx
Fillets run on paddle blade.

trip200016.jpg


a lot of sanding and then a precoat of epoxy.

trip200018.jpg


There starting to look like some thing now and still plenty light.
Ron
 

tx river rat

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2007
3,043
2
Waco Tx
I put cloth and epoxy on the blades and 6 inches up the shaft. then wrapped the wear points with rope and made stops for oar locks and installed them

trip200020.jpg


put on another coat of epoxy and then spar varnish, they are still plenty light.
I will be ready to try them before long.
Ron