Hi guys…I’m a novice woodworker trying to make a kayak paddle. I need advice on how to run the grain in the laminated strips in the paddle and how wide the strips need to be. What glue should I use…what type of joints…and most importantly, what type of wood? Needs to be strong, easy to work with, fairly light, and easy to get in Southeast USA. Can I use a mix of different woods? Come on guys, I need your help. Thanks Jake
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This thread is about oars rather than paddles, but I suspect many of the principles are the same.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages/?msg=18224.1
Also try the WoodenBoat Forum at http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi
Gary
http://gwwoodworking.com/
Are you building a sea kayak paddle or White water. curved or flat? The wood grain should be rather tight for either. In the past have used Cherry, Maple or mahogany (light and strong) mixed with Cedar for the blades. laminate strips of Cedar and core of ash or Black walnut for rigid shaft each about 1/4 inch thick. For either White water or Sea kayak you may want to add a harder tip either with plastic, fiberglass, or metal inlay.
Have fun
Hi Canoe,
All I will be doing is slow creek cruises in south Mississippi (recreational paddling). Just want someone to give me tips on wood selection, grain alignment, glue selection , finishing and kayaking advice. I am a novice at this so make all advice VERY simple. I am thinking of starting with a western red cedar 1 x 6 then gluing strips of red oak to the shaft top and bottom with small dowels through the shaft to give strength, with small strips on either side of the blade for strength and toughness. Also plan on slitting the end of the blade and sliding a strip of oak inside for durability. Then rasp to form and sand. The first few need to be cheap...I will be learning and will make several before I'm satisfied with weight length and balance. Any help will be appreciated. E-mail at [email protected] THANKS....JAKE
The chesepaeke light craft website has a really helpful forum of DIYers that can help you.
Beware- many folks visit the site and end up building their own boats. I am on my fourth.http://www.clcboats.com-steve
http://www.lukeworks.com
I wouldn't use western red cedar because its so soft and splits easily. Yellow, or Alaskan cedar is tougher, but probably more dificult to find. I'm no paddle expert but my choice would be spruce. Its the strongest wood per weight and is a common tree in the northwest.