I am looking for advice on dealing with an incipient crack in a western red cedar paddle made a few years ago. Maybe five. Yesterday while paddling on the Hudson I noticed a long dark line on the blade. It has not opened and may never. Solutions? Wrap the blade in thin fiberglass cloth and epoxy? If so, how to minimise the extra size and weight?
Thank you
If you flex the blade across its width can you open up the crack which I assume is running with the grain and along the axis of the paddle? If so could you work some epoxy into the crack while it is flexed? But maybe just keep paddling it until it breaks at which point you can epoxy it together.
David
Yes the potential crack is along the grain but since it hasn’t opened I will take your second suggestion and keep paddling until…
In the meanwhile I need to research epoxy repairs. I have used epoxy for minor fixes but this is a much wider area.
Thank you for your input.
Peter
Does the blade have a tip running perpendicular to the grain. If not maybe you could add one which would strengthen the blade. There are probably YOutube videos showing this being done. When I have done it I have used white ash
David
Mine has a maple insert on each blade.
It extends about 9 inches from the tip and lies from edge to edge.
I don’t have it in front of me so details aren’t available just yet.
It will be Wednesday before I can get to it.
I appreciate your help and advice.
Thanks
Peter