KarmaPolice
Member
Just got done making my first mash paddle in preparation for our first all grain batch that my buddy and I are soon to do.
With some tools from school I was planning on doing more to this paddle, but unfortunately the machines were down and so this is a very easy project that most can do.
I first bought a piece of maple from the hardware store for about $20 and around 6" x 60"
I started first by just finding out the size I wanted it and made a rough grid in design with a pencil, and started drawing a design. I decided not to go for the standard straight handle I had been seeing when looking around for ideas.
Next I took a simple jig-saw and cut out the outline of the design.For the designed holes I just took a large drill bit and drilled the interior of the drawing and used the jig saw to carefully cut it out from the inside.
I used some straight and round files to smooth out the rough edges on some of my cuts. I then sanded everything down, starting with around 80grit then moved my way up to 300grit or so.
I decided to Torch the holes with a little propane torch, for contrast, and then lightly sanded them to get a majority of the residue out. I then watered the board and and wet sanded the grains that popped up.
Here is the Finished product, hope this helped.
With some tools from school I was planning on doing more to this paddle, but unfortunately the machines were down and so this is a very easy project that most can do.
I first bought a piece of maple from the hardware store for about $20 and around 6" x 60"
I started first by just finding out the size I wanted it and made a rough grid in design with a pencil, and started drawing a design. I decided not to go for the standard straight handle I had been seeing when looking around for ideas.
Next I took a simple jig-saw and cut out the outline of the design.For the designed holes I just took a large drill bit and drilled the interior of the drawing and used the jig saw to carefully cut it out from the inside.
I used some straight and round files to smooth out the rough edges on some of my cuts. I then sanded everything down, starting with around 80grit then moved my way up to 300grit or so.
I decided to Torch the holes with a little propane torch, for contrast, and then lightly sanded them to get a majority of the residue out. I then watered the board and and wet sanded the grains that popped up.
Here is the Finished product, hope this helped.