06:00: I wake up in Hungerford, and begin my day by researching existing paddles. Today I will prepare some different versions for Heidi to test out at the next canoe training session. I get ready and leave for work.
07:30: When I arrive at the workshop, I look over some sketches for the paddle and plan the next prototype.
08:00: Using the remainder of the acrylic from my last paddle prototype, I cut a piece to size for a new version. I will create a gap for a non-return valve again, but this time I will make the gap a bit larger and at a slightly different angle in order to make the whole item lighter and also to allow more water to pass through for ease of movement on the back stroke.
08:05: I cut a piece to size for the hinged flap and see how it sits on the paddle. It has ample room for a rebate (a groove along an edge) and should hopefully make the paddle much lighter.
08:30: To route the rebate neatly, I prepare a plywood jig. I take pieces and place them around the flap piece – cutting angles where necessary. I bring the whole puzzle together and check that it fits tightly around the acrylic. Using a staple gun, I bring the sections together, stapling on both sides.
08:45: I set up the router to a five millimetre depth, and cut around the inside of the jig template and down into the 15 millimetre paddle frame. I also cut a slot section on either side, where I will secure the paddle’s handle.
09:15: Yesterday I bought some more broom handles, I hold one up to a slot section I routed. I mark the points in the broom handle where I should cut, so that it receives slots into the paddle frame with a tight fit.
09:50: I cut this on a band saw and slide it into place. This fits well and will be secured after the valve has been attached.
10:00: Teatime – bacon sandwiches for Max’s birthday!
10:15: I compare this new paddle with the last one, the valve is larger, so to let more water through and to make it lighter.
10:25: I use a radius cutter on the router to round off all of outer edges, this should also help it to move through the water more easily.
11:00: I hold the flap in place and check that it moves easily. I mark off a length on a piano hinge (long strip hinge). Using a hacksaw, I cut off this section.
11:10: To remove the burrs, I file the cut edge of the metal.
11:20: I drill pilot holes for small screws and fix the hinge to the paddle.
11:30: Mike comes over to take a look at the new paddle. We talk about the motions it will make and he is concerned about the weight. He suggests using sheet aluminium instead.
11:45: We get out two small pieces from underneath Mike’s bench and I check that there is enough material to make the paddle frame and the valve. This already feels lighter and it will be interesting to see the difference in movements of the valves depending on the material.
12:00: I mark out the shape of the paddle and cut the aluminium on the band saw.
12:20: Using a metal file, I remove the burrs – I wonder what difference the material will make on the glide of the strokes. At this thickness the sheet feels rigid and will not bend, I must ensure that this is still the case once the hole has been made.
12:45: Using masking tape as a surface, I mark the hole for the water flow. I use a drill to make a space in each corner for the jigsaw to enter to cut the material out. With the jigsaw, I remove this material to leave a frame for the hinged flap.
13:00: Lunchtime – Jo makes a beautiful chorizo soup with an avocado salsa.
13:30: I cut the flap for the aluminium paddle out of the second sheet. I file down the burrs and secure it in the same way as the acrylic flap with a piano hinge. Following the same method again, I create a slot in a broom handle to act as the paddle arm.
14:20: I sketch on Illustrator to plan where the paddles will sit across the canoe. The plan is for them to connect to a central bar, which sits on rowlocks and rocks back and forth. As Heidi pushes the handles the paddle will draw water back, and as she pulls on the return the paddle will travel back through the water, with greater ease as the non-return valve opens to allow some water to escape.
15:00: Having selected an angle that should work with the width of the canoe, I decide to keep the broom handles at these lengths, ready to cut down to size at the canoe. I will measure the success of the paddle at different depths in the water and secure it at the optimum height for Heidi.
15:15: I line up the paddles at the correct angle and mark the positions for grooves to be made. These will be where they join to the central bar to rock back and forth. The extension of the broom handle will be the paddle’s handle.
16:00: Next, I start to make a batch of resonance boards for children at a nearby special needs school. The first one was a success, so I’m looking into small batch production so that more children can benefit from them. Colin Butler from the mill has prepared some softwood for me, so I sand it to size and cut the lengths. I will start by making a slightly longer board for a tall child based locally, I will need to test the impact this extension has on the resonance, and if it will still provide successful support.
16:30: I set up the router to cut a rebate where the plywood panel will sit. Using a fence, I work against the edge of the softwood to route evenly on each length. I will continue with the assembly of the frames tomorrow.
17:30: Finally, I wrap up the card trays that I made recently for Heidi, ready to give to her at canoe practice.
17:40: Admiring the bluebells in the woods at Benchmark, I cycle back home to Hungerford.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- A day in the life of the Benchmark Fixperts Resident – Week 27
- A day in the life of the Benchmark Fixperts Resident – Week 26
- A day in the life of the Benchmark Fixperts Resident – Week 25
- A day in the life of the Benchmark Fixperts Resident – Week 24
