Not to change the subject
I asked this once, months ago but got no real answer. Is Port Orford cedar a good choice for a laminated canoe paddle? The reason for my query is that I’ve got some really nice “playground grade” 4X4’s that are straight and totally clear. The annular rings in these are not especially closely spaced but, there doesn’t seem to be much, if any, difference in density or color between the springwood and the summerwood. The stuff smells wonderful and I’m curious if it’s good for anything besides playground equipment, pencils and arrows.
yeah
Go for it. A little bit heavier, a little more dense, and a little stronger than WRC.
This has been my resource for basic wood properties for years now:
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/techmenu.html
I’ll trade you one of those 4x4s for
an answer to your question.
Seriously, they would be fine. The Port Oxford will be a bit heavier than wester red, but also a bit stronger. If I had a nice clear piece, I’d be slicing, dicing and gluing it pdq.
Marc Ornstein
Dogpaddle Canoe Works
Custom Paddles and Cedar Strip Canoes
Thanks, guys.
I’ve got a couple of other projects going that will take priority but I’ve never made a paddle before. I’m looking to get more into my hand tools and away from the noise and mess that my power tools make and a paddle seems like just the ticket (I’ll still probably do all my ripping with the table saw, though).
Cypress
I just finished four paddles from cypress, and would recommend it highly. It is not as light as spruce, but was available,affordaable, strong and easy to work with a plane or spoke shave.
Thanks for Great Information
Thank you, all posters.
I probably can’t make as nice a paddle as can be bought at quite reasonable price, but I’ll probably try to build one anyway (and it’s never just one, because I always finishing thinking ahead to improvements on the next “one”). Again, the p-net community has impressed me with the great advice, willingness to share, etc. I learned a lot.
Thanks to you fine p-netters, I have a list of candidate woods to take with me when I go visit my local specialty wood store. I just need to find some time to work that into the schedule. If only I could trust that the family Santas, clamoring for gift ideas, could pick wood stock!
~~Chip
Bamboo ply …
http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net/vid_player.php?v=4L00vYJL5QQ&u=http://youtube.com/watch?v=4L00vYJL5QQ&i=
Something
Something you can use for a paddle shaft is to buy a broom handle from a hardware store. I have made several paddles this way. They are made of good wood and are fairly inexpensive.