Paddle forming

We are making a set of paddles for a new retailer.
Out of a chunk of walnut and some steel we made a new display.  It holds seven paddles so we are delivering fourteen in a stair-step of sizes.

Here are some photos of the process after we have the basic glue-up ready...

The blade is marked on thirds.

A batten is used to scribe an nice curve on the blade.  It is pulled to the edge of the blade on the bottom third.  C-clamps are used as the pinion points.  After the curved cuts are made the bottom of the blade is finished with a cross cut.

Next we use the power hand planner to start taking the blade down to thickness. 

This particular paddle is made of Basswood, Walnut and Cherry.

Custom kayak paddle

A local boater ordered a custom kayak paddle.  He was looking for a looong paddle with no blade offset.
A typical modern paddle has the blades oriented 15 degrees off axis.  This presents less wind resistance on the return path, but it is not required and a paddle without this offset can be just as effective in crossing the river.

This particular paddle is 101 & 7/8th inches long (259 cm).
The shaft is a lamination of local Bass wood and northwestern Douglas Fir.  The blades also have cherry on the edges.

Paddle Delivery

The four best paddles were delivered to St. Louis Sail and Paddle last week.
We have about six more in line for varnish.
This week we are welding up the station forms for our next boat project. Stay tuned.
Here are the paddles...

New paddles

We are back in the paddle business this week.  Three blanks were glued up and here are some of the results:

 The paddle bench is a tall saw horse of steel legs and a hardwood top.
It really speeds things up.