Canoe paddles workshop - April 13, 2013   9:00 - 1:00

John carved this paddle during last year's class

Requested Donation: $5

Leader: John Whitehouse and Bill Wessinger

During the course of the day you can carve out either a canoe paddle or a Greenland style kayak paddle.  John Whitehouse and Bill Wessinger will lead the class, discussing the size of paddle appropriate for you, using templates to draw out the shape and center the pattern, then carving out the paddle.  You will need to bring a paddle blank.  For a greenland paddle, bring a 2x4 of suitable material, such as cedar, spruce or douglas fir, 90" long (your paddle will probably be shorter).  You can also laminate a blank of differing woods, making the overall size 1-1/2 x 3-1/2".
 
CANOE PADDLE BLANK
For a canoe paddle, laminate a blank 1-1/4" thick overall, with a center shaft 1-1/8" wide.  Make it as long as the distance from your chin to the floor (min) to the height from your nose to the floor (max).  At one end laminate enough material for a handle, making it 4" wide overall by 5" long.  At the blade end, laminate 30" strips to make a blade 6-1/2 to 7" wide overall for a beavertail paddle or 6" wide for an ottertail.  Use alternating colors of wood to make a pretty layup. You can use cedar and/or spruce in the shaft for lightness, with harder woods laminated to it for strength.  Ash makes a good strong paddle, if a little heavy.
 
TOOLS NEEDED
Bring at least a block plane and, if possible, a spokeshave.  Other useful tools are a longer bench plane or a slick, a straight edge, a combination square, and pencil. We will be using bandsaws to rough out the blank shapes, and you may want ear protection.  It also helps to have some clamps such as wood handscrew clamps or squeeze-handle clamps to hold your paddle to the workbench while carving. We have some clamps at the shop.
 
CONTACT for more info:
[email protected]