Source for wood t-grips

Decked Canoes, Open Canoes, as long as they're canoes!

Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin

Post Reply
dirk
C Boater
Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:19 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Source for wood t-grips

Post by dirk »

I want to cut down one of my paddles and would need a new tgrip. Any recommendations? Looking for wood and would need all parts of the T. Needs to fit down in a composite shaft.

Thanks,
Dirk
Austin, TX
OC1
User avatar
sbroam
CBoats.net Staff
Posts: 3969
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:12 am
Location: Lexington, SC
Contact:

Re: Source for wood t-grips

Post by sbroam »

I actually *extended* a paddle, but similar process. Hardwood dowels from your local hardware store. The way I did it was get one to match the inside diameter of the shaft (conveniently 1" for mine), the biggest dowel I could get for the grip (1.25" I was what I got), and an Forstner bit the same size as the shaft dowel to drill the "socket". the bit will be the most expensive part of the project - borrow one if you won't do this often. The pix are the last ones in this gallery : https://goo.gl/photos/bDQyvRUNZBwXAuJd9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Roy
C Guru
Posts: 173
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 5:56 pm
Location: Greenville, ME

Re: Source for wood t-grips

Post by Roy »

I agree that a Forstner bit is the right way to go; however, I have drilled a bunch of t-grips using cheap spade bits. Using spade bits often gives you a pin hole on the top of the grip; I actually like the hole...it lets the glue escape, and I feel I am less likely to get an air pocket than I am without the hole.

I cut a hard maple sapling or limb, and use it for the t-grips. Let it dry in three-foot chunks, and then, cut to length. Backlund sometimes made grips with the center of the growth rings running through the grip, lenthwise. He thought it looked kind of neat. You get that when using limbs or saplings for grip stock.

Roy
Gwyn
Pain Boater
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:08 am
Location: Canada/NZ
Contact:

Re: Source for wood t-grips

Post by Gwyn »

Agreed, forstner bits are the way to go, clamp securely and drill slow. Going all the way through the T is OK, as you can put a wooden wedge in for a stronger join. Picture of some here;
http://shaggydesigns.com/Tgrips.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks
Gwyn
Gwyn
http://www.petawawaraftteam.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mohakarafting.co.nz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.shaggydesigns.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
dirk
C Boater
Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:19 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Source for wood t-grips

Post by dirk »

I think I am going to give making my own a try. Except for the bit, which I think I can borrow, looks like a not too expensive project.

Thanks,
Dirk
Austin, TX
OC1
Post Reply