Howzit everyone! I have a paddle that I want to shorten. How do I properly take off the top? Any suggestions?
Submitted by Seaman on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 5:57pm
Howzit everyone! I have a paddle that I want to shorten. How do I properly take off the top? Any suggestions?
Submitted by Seaman on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 5:57pm
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I had a friend do mine, You cut off the handle then use a forstner bit in a drill press the drill out the little bit that is left in the handle. Use a good marine grade glue to re-attach the handle. Depending on how much you are cutting down you may need to sand the end of the paddle down a bit or make the hole a bit larger in the handle. From experience, make sure you remember which way the handle came off the paddle. My handle is curved on one side and straight on the other. My friend didn't notice and put the handle on backwards. The only way to fix it is to shorten the paddle some more, I chose to get used to the new grip :p
#1 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 6:25pm
you can also use a mallot to knock off the handle, Take your time, Alternating what side of the handle you hit, Try and hit too hard and it will break the handle, It may take 20-30 hits to loosen the handle. Shorten the shaft and reattach the handle., Again you may need to sand the shaft a little to make it fit inside. Or I generally wil use a dremmel with a sanding drum to clean up the inside of the handle and make the handle fit the shaft, It is generally a cleaner look.
The drill press and forsner bit is the better method, I use 5 minute epoxy to attach the handle,
#2 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 7:14pm
Anybody try to turn paddle upside down, take two blocks of wood on each side of the shaft and slide down with force and knocking the handle off the end? I believe the handles are glued on and this method would effectively leave you with an intact paddle shaft and original drill hole in the handle...
At least that's my theory because I was thinking of shortening a paddle and that's what the plan is...but I haven't tried it yet so I'm interested in best method too.
#3 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 7:17pm
Looks like Ocean answered while I typed....thanks, mate!
#4 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 7:18pm
measure the length you need and cut it. I would discard the old knob they gain weight and are worn. If the forstner bit is the one im thinking of or a Hole saws and take out the middle bit. roud the end. but you would need to get the end of the paddle that will go in the knob pefectly round befor glueing.you need 100 % contact. the knob you could widdle and a sunny afternoon on a pourch then drill press. or ask the company that made the paddle to buy a knob.
there is a front and back but also important it is lined up with the blade if you put the paddle knob a few inches from your eye and looked down the paddle to see if the knob lines up with the blade. (mark it) then glue, 2 part epoxy are good.
dugout,piczo.com
#5 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 8:29pm
you can take the handle off with a block of wood or a Mallet or Hammer hitting against wood, you MUST work slowly, Alternating sides, with easy blows If you try and take it off too quick the handle will either break , or the shaft will take parts of the handle with it, New handles are about 10.00. My guess is I have shortened over 50 paddles. I learned very early that patience is key.
Also the type of handle makes a big difference. Xylo and Mudbrook handles are very soft, I will only cut and drill this type, Kialoa and Quickblade handles are stronger woods and can be knocked off.
100 % contact is not necessarily needed, The glue will fill in some of the gap, But do get it as tight as possible.
#6 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 5:53am
I stand corrected. 100% is optional. you might read the glue lable.
#7 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 6:39am