Ed: 1x4 is too small. The dimension of the loom will be about 1-1/4 x 1-1/4", n maybe a bit less, when done, and 1x4 is only 3/4" x 3-1/2". It could be done, but gluing on bits to fatten up the loom is hard work. Make more shavings, they are lots more fun! The thin dimension is also the direction where most strength is needed. Clear spruce is the best from a strength/stiffness to weight ratio perspective. Cedar makes a very light paddle, but not quite as strong. Lift is the way these paddles make drive force. The paddle must be rotated at least 45 degrees to work. If you try to use it "flat" like a regular Euro paddle, you will be paddling about 1.5 times quicker to keep up. If you tilt the blade until you can see the turbulences is no longer coming off the trailing edge, i.e., not stalled, you will be stroking at the regular cadence. However, my paddle still likes a higher velocity to work properly, but I can pause a bit between strokes, so the cadence is the same. I find I paddle "by ear": when the angle is right, the paddle stops making noise. The turbulence of a stalled blade carries up the paddle, and makes it "sing". If I tilt it until it just stops, the blade seems to work best. Problem is, this effect is noticeable only in flat water. I can't hear it in a chop, so I lose efficiency. I will just have to get used to using it at the correct angle, instinctively, instead of by listening to it. I have a square loom. I think my next one will have a diamond loom, instead, as I get blisters on the knuckles of my thumbs from the tilt. The diamond shape should take the contact off the joints, I hope. Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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