Risto,
How did you do a hollow loom? Run it over a half-round bit before laminating? Or did you use the birds-mouth style?

: Last winter I asked this board about paddles been broken in use, and one
: typical case was just this. Seems like WRC is susceptiple to break at this
: joint.

: Maybe a month back I asked about Obechi, a tropical wood, and was cordially
: advised to check the US Forestry Service WEBsite, where I found
: interesting data sheets on various woods, WRC included. Seems like it has
: poor strength when "used as a beam", which is what the loom of a
: solid paddle is.

: So if I were to laminate, I'd make the loom my main concern. In fact I have
: made a greenland paddle (spruce) where only the loom is laminated, and
: also hollow. Relatively light, very stiff, strong.

: So, maybe blades of WRC, tips of hardwood, hollow spruce loom? Hardwoods in
: the loom seem exessive, over-kill to me, since the thickness (large hands)
: will already give strength, if a weak wood is not used.

: risto