> Good day to all readers. I would like to find some more information on the
> use of carbon fibre to make kayak paddles. There are many such paddles
> available commercially but I would like to try my hand at making one
> custom designed for me. If anyone has leads to information on how to use
> carbon fibre cloth or tape or other please pass it along.

> Thanks

> Rick

Check out the website and catalog of Fibre Glast: www.fibreglast.com

They sell various carbon fiber cloths and tapes ( in the small quantities you'll use) and have books and video tapes for sale that show how to use their products. They just mailed out a newsletter on working with composities. It is the Winter 1998 edition (and mailed in August? Go figure!) If you call or e-mail them you might ask for a copy. The copy I got was not solicitied, so I assume it is free for the asking. Ask.

A paddle blade could probably be made around a foam core, or a wood core, or you could make a mold for it. If you go the mold route, consider using a router to carve the shape in a plank of wood. Just draw the paddle shape on a plank and cut it out. You vary the thickness of the paddle blade by adjusting the depth of the router cut. This could also be an interesting project for someone with a 3D axis router (or mill) attached to a computer driven CAD/CAM system. You could design any amount of spoon shaping and compound curves on the computer, and then have the computer driven cutting tool shape the mold. Lay in the cloth and resin and you can knock out a bunch of paddle blades to suit your fancy.

Hopefully this should help.

Paul Jacobson