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| Making a good quality split paddle. |
This is a pretty easy process really. Some
competence with basic hand tools is useful, and
access to a bench mounted or pillar drill makes
life a lot easier, but you can manage without.
1. Obtain high quality paddle.
2. Find the half way point and mark it. (I wrap a
piece of masking tape around first). Also mark
horizontal lines to make setting the angle easy
later on.
3. Hold firmly and using a hack saw, divide the
paddle shaft. (Don't over tighten the vice, you'll
crack the GRP).
competence with basic hand tools is useful, and
access to a bench mounted or pillar drill makes
life a lot easier, but you can manage without.
1. Obtain high quality paddle.
2. Find the half way point and mark it. (I wrap a
piece of masking tape around first). Also mark
horizontal lines to make setting the angle easy
later on.
3. Hold firmly and using a hack saw, divide the
paddle shaft. (Don't over tighten the vice, you'll
crack the GRP).
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4. Once split, clean any rough edges with a little
smooth abrasive paper.
5. A standard split kit containing 1x spigot and 1x
spring button. Available from all good canoe
retailers.
smooth abrasive paper.
5. A standard split kit containing 1x spigot and 1x
spring button. Available from all good canoe
retailers.
6. Using an epoxy based adhesive, squeeze equal
amounts of resin and hardner onto a piece of
scrap material.
amounts of resin and hardner onto a piece of
scrap material.
7. Stir thoroughly together until the mixture is a
milky colour.
milky colour.
8. Spread two rings of adhesive around the end of the
spigot to be glued in place. One ring at the end, and the
other about an inch away from the first.
spigot to be glued in place. One ring at the end, and the
other about an inch away from the first.
9. Using a twisting action, gently push the spigot into the
paddle shaft until the masking tape prevents it from going in
further. Wipe off all the excess glue and leave to set for the
recommended period. (I wait 12 - 24 hours).
paddle shaft until the masking tape prevents it from going in
further. Wipe off all the excess glue and leave to set for the
recommended period. (I wait 12 - 24 hours).
5. (Cont.) Wrap a piece of masking tape around the
spigot. The edge of the tape should line up with it's
half way point.
The masking tape not only helps locate the spigot the
right distance when being glued into position, but
also prevents the glue making a mess on it.
spigot. The edge of the tape should line up with it's
half way point.
The masking tape not only helps locate the spigot the
right distance when being glued into position, but
also prevents the glue making a mess on it.
Stage Two - After the adhesive has set.
10. Using the lines drawn on before the paddle was
split, align the two halves so the feather is set to the
desired angle. Then tape in place. Decide where you
would like the push button to be in relation to how you
hold the paddles (ie do you want to look at it when you
paddle?) and mark on the location. Again I use a piece
of masking tape to draw on.
Hold the paddle shaft in a vice or similar and drill gently
using the correct sized bit. (13mm in this case).
11+12 Remove any sharp strands with abrasive paper
and then insert the spring button. I leave the metal end
out because it allows easy removal if required, but there
is no reason why the button should not go in so the
spring is within the paddle shaft.
split, align the two halves so the feather is set to the
desired angle. Then tape in place. Decide where you
would like the push button to be in relation to how you
hold the paddles (ie do you want to look at it when you
paddle?) and mark on the location. Again I use a piece
of masking tape to draw on.
Hold the paddle shaft in a vice or similar and drill gently
using the correct sized bit. (13mm in this case).
11+12 Remove any sharp strands with abrasive paper
and then insert the spring button. I leave the metal end
out because it allows easy removal if required, but there
is no reason why the button should not go in so the
spring is within the paddle shaft.
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And that is it. Easy Peasy.
Kayak paddles
how to make split paddles
how to make split paddles
In this stage, we drill a hole and insert the spring clip. You can omit doing this stage if you like and use
electrical tape to set the angle to suit each time you use the paddle. Some people find this suits them better.
electrical tape to set the angle to suit each time you use the paddle. Some people find this suits them better.