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Moonman
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04/26/2013 09:53AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi Guys,

I was going to upload more pics of my double bent shaft paddle to the other paddle thread, but then I thought I might as well start a new thread just for this build. Anyway, I'll start from the beginning.

First pic is of the spruce shaft being bent on the form. This was the same form I used on my first bent shaft paddle build, I just added the new bends in the middle and at the grip. I made sure to use side clamping as well, to ensure the strips stayed aligned I used 5 1/4" pieces.













After glue up, I trimmed down to 1 1/8" width. Here it is on a scale. The shaft at this stage weighed 16oz. You'll notice I staggered the spruce strips at the blade end - just saves me cutting off more waste from the blade area when I got to that stage.







You'll notice in this pic, one of the blade 'wings' being glued up. Sorry for poor pic quality here, I was going to take clearer shots of this but forgot. Anyway, I first cut of a patter I liked of the main cedar blade area, then glue a feature strip along the outside edge made up of dark cedar and spruce.I then glued on an inner strip of dark cedar, made sure to use some tape covered waste wood to prevent clamps from denting the soft cedar and glued everything up. Used Titebond 3. Its the best, easiest stuff out there, completely waterproof. I love that glue!






Here are a couple pics of the blade wings being glued to the shaft.












Blade glue up complete







Grip glued up. repeating theme from the blade, use strips of dark cedar and spruce, with a lighter cedar inner strip. This is a bit of an experiment, as the strip pattern prevents me from 'curving in' the grip along the sides. I have to maintain the angle or end up cutting into the pattern. anyway, I have rounded it over nicely so we'll see how it feels. Can always change later if need be.












I didn't take any pics during carving, it went rather fast. Use of the spar gauge on the shaft worked out awesome, marking out the shaft was one part of the process I hated. So easy this way. Anyway, here we see the paddle more or less sanded (since I want to use this on a fast approaching trip, I just concentrated on the blade, I can finish sand and oil or varnish the shaft and grip very quickly) and the blade being fiber-glassed. Used 2.5oz cloth.












You'll notice I put a name on the paddle there. Last minute decision, a bit like bragging I guess but ah well. The name Anwatin is what I named my cedar strip canoe. Its an Algonquin name, meaning 'all is calm and peaceful'. Here is a pic of the power-face of the blade being fiber-glassed.







Here is a pic of grip getting a final sand, then damped with a cloth to raise the grain and sanded again.


















And here we have paddle all sanded, the fiberglass/epoxy on the blade just completing a total cure before varnish. I'll add more pictures at that stage. The perspective is off in this pic - the grip is not that big!







Should have some more pics up next week Monday or Tuesday.

Moonman.
 
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04/26/2013 07:28PM  
Thats a beauty! Final weight?
 
Moonman
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04/26/2013 09:29PM  
Thanks :)

Final weight right now before varnish 20.5oz.

Moonman.
 
Moonman
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04/27/2013 11:29AM  
Correction on the weight. The scale calibration was off, it actually weighs 19oz.

Moonman.
 
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