How to Make Your Own Oars
- 1). Ensure that the 2-inch by 4-inch wood planks have very few, or no, knots in them. Use a pencil to mark off 45-inch degree angles on each end of the 2-inch by 4-inch wood planks. Once these angles are marked, there should be an octagon drawn on each end of each piece of wood. Use jigsaw to cut the entire lengths of wood at these angles, so that when done sawing, you should have two octagon-shaped, 7-foot pieces of wood.
- 2). Mark off 6 inches on one side of each of the 28-inch long pieces of spruce. This mark only needs to be made on one end, and one side, of each piece of spruce. Use jigsaw to cut from this mark diagonally toward the end of the spruce, which is the end closest to the 6-inch mark.
- 3). Mark 1/16-inch on two opposing sides of one end of each 7-foot handle. Use a jigsaw to cut this mark down the length of the wood, but only cut down 28 inches. This will ensure that the 28-inch long pieces of spruce fit perfectly lengthwise into these grooves. Add epoxy to these 28-inch sections and press the 28-inch sides of spruce into the grooves. Use the wood clamps to hold spruce in place.
- 4). Taper off the shafts of the 2-inch by 4-inch planks once the epoxy has set. Use a jigsaw or a grinder to accomplish this. Start to taper the wood on the top and bottom of each 2-inch by 4-inch plank, starting at the angle created earlier by marking off the 6-inch sections of spruce. Continue to taper until the shafts are flush on both sides with the spruce.
- 5). Sand the corners of the four edges of spruce that are still square. Also sand to a 3/8-inch thickness down the entire length of each piece of spruce. A grinder can also be used for this. Use the saw to trim oars down to a comfortable size to use. This can be done on both ends of oars, but make sure to put 5-inch pieces of fiberglass tape on the spruce ends before trimming.
- 6). Round off handles, if it will make gripping the handles easier for the user. Varnish the entire lengths of 2-inch by 4-inch planks and spruce wood. Allow to dry.
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