C-Forum

Years ago I took a $35 Caviness Pro paddle, cut off the handle and made a nice T grip, put a Dynel/epoxy tip on the blade, and put 4oz Eglass & epoxy on the paddle faces. I coated the shaft and handle in epoxy. It was an experiment and I expected it to last about a year, but when it went floating away from me the other day I had been using it for at least 10 years.

So I'm making a couple more.

I'm considering extending the Eglass reinforcement partially up the shaft. Is that a good idea, and if so, how far up the shaft should I go?

For shafts, the answer for me is Dynel sleeve.

http://sweetcomposites.com/Polyester.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Slip it on, tape the ends down, soak well with epoxy resin, after hard sand it to remove fuzz. Easy...and lasts nearly forever.

I think Walbridge has a short description of its use in Boat Builder's Manual (look for a copy at your favorite out-of-print on-line source). I would suggest doing a practice run on scrap shaft material; the trick is to get the right amount of epoxy into the Dynel so the epoxy soaks into the wood.

Roy

I thought about Dynel sleeve, it would take about $2-3 dollars worth to do these two paddles. Sweet's minimum order is $25, plus I'd have to pay shipping. Buying more stuff to get to the minimum would be OK if I needed minicel, epoxy, Dynel cord, cloth, etc., but I already have a good stock of all that stuff.

It would be preferable to just use the 4oz Eglass I have on hand. Has anyone done that, or have an opinion about how it would work, or how far up the shaft to go?

12 inches up the shaft should be fine . I would use S-glass . Same weight twice the strength. The highest stress is at your shaft hand that forms a fulcrum.

I've lots of dynel sleeve. Send me you address and I'll send you some.
Cheers

ClassFive Boats wrote:12 inches up the shaft should be fine . I would use S-glass ....

Just the info I was looking for. Thanks!

... I've lots of dynel sleeve. Send me you address and I'll send you some...

PM sent. I owe you a beer!

I sent some material, it should be there by now. The Dynel and S glass is for shaft repair, carbon fiber blade repair.
Cheers
Vic

I received it today. Thanks!