BWCA Carving an Ash Paddle--Advice needed Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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sunnybear09
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10/02/2012 09:24AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Ash dieback is rampant in my area and I thought it was time to use some of the lost logs in making some beavertail paddles, for use and amusement. My question is what sections make the best, strongest paddles? Does size matter? Should I cut slabs centering on the heartwood or from the newest outside rings for the best paddles? Would appreciate any advice or references from knowledgeable paddlesmiths! Thanks, Sunnybear
 
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Moonman
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10/02/2012 12:05PM  
If making from ash, its so strong either flat(plain) sawn or 1/4 sawn will work nicely. Don't make the blade too big, maybe model it on a fav paddle. Use heartwood. I guess you are thinking one pce, if thinking of perhaps a laminated blade say ash and cherry, use 1/4 sawn for the shaft and flat sawn for the blade - although again, not absolutely necessary. Get the Graham Warren/David Gidmark book on paddle making. Its an awesome reference. Here is their website, which has lots of good info and some youtube video demonstrations: http://www.mooseheadcanoes.co.uk/The%20Canoe%20Paddle%20Page/Home.html

You can also check out Murat's site for some inspiration - he makes some nice stuff and takes the time to post about it. http://paddlemaking.blogspot.ca/

Also, google images is great for just looking at some pics and getting ideas.

A couple tips - the wood rasp will be your friend, its is an extremely useful tool for paddle making, especially the grip and spine area. Try and create a spine from the shaft down to about 1/3 of the blade. A nice dihedral here will reduce flutter and create a stronger blade as well. When shopping for something else, always check out the lumber at the big box stores. Every once in a while you'll find a fairly clear cedar board in the 'knotty' section. You don't need a lot of wood dimension wise and it will be very cheap. You can use cedar with ash in a laminated paddle to lighten your paddle, but still keep it strong.

Enjoy making them and don't let a mistake or two on your first one deter you.

Moonman.
 
10/02/2012 12:22PM  
As a former woodworker (former because the table saw I was using jumped up and bit my hand removing a couple of appendages. But I digress.) I hope I can give you some perspective of what to look for. I recently completed a straight paddle that was made from laminated pieces of other species but used an ash shaft for flexibility and strength.

1. The shaft and handle thickness you need will determine the thickness of the board. If you make an oval shaft it may be 1-1/8" x 1" round. There I would start with a thickness of 1-1/4" and work your way down from there. The width will be the blade width plus a 1/4" each side for trimming and shaping.

2. Ash is usually pretty even grained so the spacing is fairly even. Never the less look the board over for warps, bends, knot holes, cupping and blemishes that could cause a weak spot or detract from appearance. If you are cutting this board yourself I'd start it at a thickness of 1-3/4" to allow for any misdirection the board may take in the drying process. You can plane and joint it down to closer dimensions once it's dry.

3. Make sure the wood is dry before you start to make any cuts. This may mean letting the wood dry for quite a while. If the board isn't properly dried and you cut it to shape, the next morning you may have a bent piece of ash on your hands. Paint the ends with sealer to prevent checking and cracks from developing during the drying process.

4. With ash, I like the wood toward the outside of the log as opposed to the center. Just personal opinion.

I hope this helps...
 
10/02/2012 01:06PM  
I’ve also been working on my own paddle, I’d recommend picking up a copy of Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own by Graham Warren
 
OldScout48
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10/02/2012 01:40PM  
Well it's been a while, but I made a bunch of laminated ash & cherry paddles (beavertail or ottertail styles). I used a 3 1/2" electric planer to shape the blades. I also used a belt sander to round off the throat areas as the planer isn't good at getting the throat area done. I was usually able to plane out a blade in about 1/2 hour. I also used a router to round over the paddle shaft.
 
sunnybear09
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10/02/2012 04:59PM  
What a lot of great help! Never expected such helpful specifiic info! Thanks to all--my confidence level just took an upturn!
Sunnybear
 
Matti
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10/02/2012 09:54PM  
We always use quarter sawn ash.
 
Savage Voyageur
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10/05/2012 11:18AM  
quote tyh: "I’ve also been working on my own paddle, I’d recommend picking up a copy of Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own by Graham Warren "




I also used this book, great resource. I used hand tools not power tools to make my last paddle. It was made out of ash and cherry. I used hand saws to shape then a hand plane and spoke shave to form paddle. Rasp and hand sand to finish. Wear a dust mask when working with ash dust.
 
04/18/2018 03:48PM  
I am not a paddle maker, but can vouch for "AnchorSeal" as a great product to seal ends to stop checking and cracking/splitting. I have used it on butt ends when 'stick drying' rough sawn boards off the mill.
 
Savage Voyageur
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04/18/2018 07:10PM  
tyh: "I’ve also been working on my own paddle, I’d recommend picking up a copy of Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own by Graham Warren "



I also would recommend this book highly. Get yourself a big book of graph paper. Then tape enough to the size of the paddle. Then working with the dimensions given in the book you draw out the pattern on paper and cut it out. I then used spray paint to spray an outline onto a scrap piece of paneling. After cutting out the paneling I now have a hard pattern. I used the hard pattern to draw onto the wood blank. Now just remove the unwanted wood to shape the paddle. Get the book.

Edit, sorry I did not see this was a 6 year old thread.
 
GearJunkie
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04/21/2018 08:14PM  
Savage Voyageur: "
tyh: "I’ve also been working on my own paddle, I’d recommend picking up a copy of Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own by Graham Warren "




I also would recommend this book highly. Get yourself a big book of graph paper. Then tape enough to the size of the paddle. Then working with the dimensions given in the book you draw out the pattern on paper and cut it out. I then used spray paint to spray an outline onto a scrap piece of paneling. After cutting out the paneling I now have a hard pattern. I used the hard pattern to draw onto the wood blank. Now just remove the unwanted wood to shape the paddle. Get the book.

Edit, sorry I did not see this was a 6 year old thread. "


No need to apologize. I enjoyed the reading. Building a hallow spar paddle at the moment so this was perfect timing.
 
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