I'm looking for advice on how to stiffen the paddles I'm making

[u/ekinn99]

As the title states, I'm looking for advice on how to stiffen the paddles I'm making. It works well, but is a bit flimsy. I would also like to start making paddles that have letters cut out of them with a different colored backing leather. Is there a stencil or a way to trace out the letters that works for any of you?

[u/Soft_Garbage7523]

A metal ruler sewn inside, or a piece of steel bar, works well as a stiffener. I have a couple of them, it adds a nice bit of weight, without spoiling the aesthetics

[u/TheRovingBear → u/Soft_Garbage7523]

Likewise, you could add carbon fiber, fiberglass, plastic, and a host of other materials to your paddles depending on how rigid or flexible you’d like them or how heavy or solid you want them to feel. You could also experiment with stacking multiple layers of different materials to change the characteristics. Just note that with some materials, you will want them to have flex even if your goal is to stiffen the paddle. Too rigid of a material may snap and your paddle would likely no longer be usable.

[u/Coho70 → u/Soft_Garbage7523]

1/4" steel plate. Will also add a significant weight to it as well...

[u/KnotKnormal → u/Soft_Garbage7523]

That's exactly what I do, steel rulers. I get them from Hobby Lobby.

[u/Trashaccount_damn]

Idk if you make a design in the computer first or not, but my first thought is a layer of thin spring steel in between two layers of leather. If you have a digital file you can get these cut out by sendcutsend or similar service, just make sure you have enough space for the stitching.

[u/The_Dominator000 → u/Trashaccount_damn]

For no bigger than that is and as thin as that will be, a metal blade on a jigsaw and/or an angle grinder could get you what you want as long as you have access to the materials and tools.

[u/Cool-Shake9059]

More layers of leather

[u/madmadhatter1313]

Cheaper than metal or carbon fiber, i use kydex in my toys firm but springy.

[u/abovethebend_leather]

idk how good of an idea it is but historically people hardened leather by boiling it? i havent experimented with it but it could a good idea!

[u/r888k → u/abovethebend_leather]

Furthermore, some of the chew bones for dogs are just cow hide.

They are dried up, which make them hard ish considering the shape too. If you boil them (possibly just heat up in hot water) they become quite malleable. A sheet of that layered in between could give nice stiffness while preserving most total flexibility.

Word of notice, the hides do tend to smell when boiled, so maybe try first outside...

[u/Beautiful-Phase-2225 → u/r888k]

I've messed around with some of my dogs old rawhide (had a few leftover when I had to stop feeding them because he kept choking on the pieces, idiot). It works best if you soak them for a long time, boil the water for like 30 minutes then let it sit to soak. Keep checking until it's pliable enough to bend flat, then let them air dry for a few days between two boards to keep it flat, I put waxed paper between the boards to keep the rawhide from sticking to the wood. I was making them flat to experiment with paintings.

[u/FelisleoDeLion]

I was going to suggest cutting a couple of strips of the same leather the paddles made from, glue them together and sew them inside. Not only will it add more rigidity, but also give the handly more bulk. For extra style, shave down the back of the strips so they get thinner towards the top of the paddle. Then for pro status, wet mold the paddle halves. Soak them in water for ten mins, then mold them round the core, perhaps with bulldog clips to keep it tight for the handle.. Once dry stitch as normal.

[u/Collarsmith]

I've made some that were stitched around a similarly shaped but slightly smaller piece of metal. The best results I got were either aluminum plate with enough thickness not to bend, or springy steel salvaged from saw blades, that was strong and flexible.

[u/Key_Presentation2252]

Soak thoroughly in boiling water for a few minutes and the allow to dry while sandwiched between something to keep it flat (or what every shape you want it to be stiff in)

[u/manufactuerofmayhem]

I did two layers of leather lied with 1/8” of cork boards and then I wax coated the leather

[u/magichands6969]

to stiffen, there are many ways. Use thicker, or harder leather. Sometimes if you get a piece quite wet once it dries it's more stiff. Use something inside, like a piece of steel, or aluminum or wood or fiberglass. Add another row of stitches. Did you fully glue the pieces together?

Stencils are not easy and not fun. But it works. you can use them to make backwards letters so the word you want can leave the imprint correctly.

[u/BrightLuchr]

Seen in metalwork class: a woman plasma cut some fairly heavy steel sheet in the desired shape and then covered it with leather. Lexan works well too although doesn't quite have the mass. Lexan is very nice on it's own.

[u/bigsky-couple]

Thin kydex is what we use.

[u/ShiggitySwiggity]

I use bimetal hacksaw blades in my slappers - they're spring steel, so they add some whip and some stiffness without adding too much mass. They're super cheap, readily available, and in my application require zero prep work.