Things You'll Need:
- A thick dowel rod 1.5-2" in diameter and as tall as you are.
- Piece of wood about 8.5" x 14" x 3/4"
- Hand Saw
- Hand Drill
- 3/4" to 1" drill bit
- Skill Saw or Coping Saw
- Hand Planer
- Sand Paper
- Wooden Dowels
- Drill Bit the same diameter as the dowels.
- Wood Glue
- Clamps
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Step 1
With the hand saw, cut 4" off the top of the dowel rod.
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Step 2
Use the hand planer and sand paper to round out the ends of the 4" piece. Then drill a hole about 1" in diameter through the center of the piece. This will be the handle.
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Step 3
Use the hand planer to shave down one end of the remaining long dowel rod enough that it will fit snugly into the hole you just drilled through the handle.
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Step 4
Cut the opposite end of the dowel at about a 10 degree angle. No need to be exact. This will determine the blade angle.
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Step 5
Trace the outline of how you would like to shape your paddle blade on the flat plank of wood and cut it out with a Skill Saw or coping saw.
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Step 6
Use the hand planer and sand paper to thin out the paddle blade and fine tune the shape.
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Step 7
Attach the blade to the angled cut of the paddle shaft with plenty of glue. Also drill holes through the shaft into the blade and insert wooden dowels covered in glue to give strength. Secure the whole thing with clamps.
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Step 8
Attach the handle to the paddle shaft with a generous amount of glue.
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Step 9
Let the whole thing dry according to glue directions.
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Step 10
When it's all dry, fine tune the shape and give it a coat of polyurethane or like sealant to keep the water out. When it's all dry take it out on the water!
