Making wooden wing paddles?

[DJR]

Hi,

I am currently making my first kayak, with 2 more to quickly follow...so want to keep with the timber theme and make my own paddles.

As my main interest is flatwater/marathon kayaking, I currently use a "wing paddle" - where the blade has a pronounced 'scoop' shape. I'd like to try (after starting on something easier) to make a wooden one to race with. Will post pics if I work out how (Or do a search on Google images for "wing paddle kayak")


Has anyone seen/tried to make a wooden paddle with a scoop blade?

My thought was to perhaps use a thin aluminum tube for the core of the shaft (or something similar) to add strength and reduce weight, then epoxy drilled-out wood to this which will then be shaped. Blades would be laminated up and shaped, then epoxied for protection.

Difficult part would be getting both blades exactly the same.

Any exteriences/thoughts?

Regards,
Darren
Melbourne, Australia

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[Kayak Jack]

Darren,

You are biting off a large chunk. I wish you luck. Do you suppose you may want to make a standard euro paddle first to learn some techniques?

 

[DJR]

Hi,

Yes, hence my comment "after starting on something easier" - I'll do a Greenland or euro/flat-bladed paddle first.

Just want to know if it's been done / possible - would it be strong enough given the thin blade and shape, etc?

Regards,
Darren

 

[islandpiper]

how about this.......make a mold the shape you want, laminate all the blades on the same mold using epoxy and 1/28" wood veneer.......trim, fit to shafts.

Save lots of carving and they'd be strong.

Need help with the layout to cut the shapes ALL ALIKE? I can help or several of these other fellows can too.

Piper

 

[hairymick]

islandpiper wrote

how about this.......make a mold the shape you want, laminate all the blades on the same mold using epoxy and 1/28" wood veneer.......trim, fit to shafts.

:shock: :shock: Piper mate, you are a bloody genius!!

Thank you.

 

[DJR]

Piper, ditto what Mick said

That sounds like the way to go, the layers of expoxy would give me the strength I need in the blades. Only question would be how to get the 'lip' in the mould - I guess by brining the top mould out at an angle. Something to think about.

Hmmm....Could even do an inner layer of carbon fibre with veneered outsides.

Thanks for the inspiration. Would be interested in ideas on how to do the moulds, appreciate the offer.

Any thoughts on the shaft? I thought about boring out lengths of rectangular stock and insrting an aluminium tube, then rounding the wood stock to the shaft diametre. Could do different colours then, and save on some weight.

Thanks for the help so far.

Regards,
Darren

 

[Jimmy W]

For the shafts, you could either use a bird's mouth design
http://www.gaffrigpage.com/methods/birdsmouth/
or one like at this site.
http://www.pdracer.com/mast/fauxbird/index.htm

 

[Kayak Jack]

WOW! Well, now someone is in the paddle business.

 

[dangermouse01]

I thought there was a thread on here recently, in which a forum member was playing around with making a bird's mouth shaft, could have been a mast or a paddle. Cant remember which, who posted it or which section it was in.

DM
mike

 

[Kayak Jack]

You're right, Mouse. I was thinking it was Texas River Rat with a mast. Or, the maid in the library with a candle stick. :lol:

 

[oldsparkey]

Boat Bragging Section ...
Thread ..... Bald Cypress Fleet , page #5.

Chuck.

 

[hairymick]

Darren, You could carve a mold from a solid piece of softwood for the blade. Paulonia or cedar should do well.

 

[tx river rat]

Daren
Build you two small boxes about 4 inches bigger than your blade and if you have are can borrow a paddle like you want wax the blade on the paddle then cover it with saran wrap pour up to half the blade with plaster paris
let dry then put a layer of saran wrap over the whole box the pour the top half of the blade with plaster paris let dry well take box apart very carefully remove the paddle then cover the two halves of your mold with a couple coats of epoxy
wax it heavily lay up your new blade and pour it with wood glass or kelvar what ever you want.
Ron
PS The blade should be flat to por the mould

 

[islandpiper]

Is this sort of what you had in mind? This is an Italian design paddle, the slots help steering and drag, and of course, the HANDYMAN'S SECRET WEAPON makes it possible.

Piper

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[Ozark]

Is that a one string base fiddle I though us Ozarkians were the only to make them. Gotta have long arms to play it.

 

[islandpiper]

Oz......that EYE-TAL-YEN paddle is 355 MM long and 200 MM wide........kayak size. The Bass Fiddle paddles are used for Destroyer Escorts and Medium Cruisers.

Piper

 

[Kayak Jack]

You're right, Ozark, it is base not bass. Piper San - what are we going to do with you??

 

[Ozark]

Oh sorry my M&M figerin is a little rusty.One M&M two M&M this is gonna take awhile while I measure that paddle.

 

[oldsparkey]

Oh sorry my M&M figerin is a little rusty.One M&M two M&M this is gonna take awhile while I measure that paddle.

Save the green ones for me ... I love them.

Chuck.

 

[Ozark]

Piper that comes up to four and a half pounds minus Sparkeys greenies.