New mash paddle

[sourmash]

I did a quick search to see what the latest mash paddle discussion and found this one to be the most recent. I am in the middle of building my first brew rig and am going to make a mash paddle soon. After reading all the posts here I picked up some good info. Nice looking paddles for sure. I run a part time business making rustic furniture and could very easily make some nice hardwood paddles for a group purchase for the members of this board if anyone is interested. The build will be all one piece design out of a native hardwood. Probably maple, walnut, or cherry. All tight grained hardwood that would work well. The paddles would all have 3/8" rounded corners including the paddle cut out areas. The material will be 3/4" in thickness. I need to come up with a decent design for the paddle end. I do like this design

I am looking for suggestions though. I will treat these with a quick coat of a food grade oil before shipping.
I am going to keep the cost around $35 plus shipping via UPS ground. With the group buy, I would like to see at least 10 people in on it. I can set up payment via PayPal.

Let me know if this sounds like something of interest...

 

[Catt22]

I prefer the traditional design that's been in use for hundreds of years and probably much longer than that. I think they used mostly maple, but probably any dense hardwood will work. I'd skip the oil finish. It isn't necessary and won't last very long after repeated immersion in the hot wort:

These are already being sold at something around $25 or so. Can you produce a good paddle in that price range?

 

[sourmash]

I could produce something like that in a one piece design and keep the price around $35.

 

[jensenhill]

I would be in on the group by. Would like the bottom to be squared up for scraping the bottom

 

[sourmash]

Great idea with the squared up bottom. I will run off a prototype this weekend and post several pictures.
I for got to mention that I was going to build these 3ft long.

 

[llazy_llama]

I think it's a great idea you have, sourmash, and I might be in for something like that. If it's something you could produce regularly, you might want to consider upgrading to a vendor account so you can advertise here on the site.

 

[Cape Brewing]

Can you use mineral oil on paddles like this??

 

[sourmash]

I think it's a great idea you have, sourmash, and I might be in for something like that. If it's something you could produce regularly, you might want to consider upgrading to a vendor account so you can advertise here on the site.

My bad! I'm am relatively new to this site. I have upgraded my account and if the business demand is great enough there is no doubt I will upgrade to a vendor account. My primary business is rustic furniture. I am headed to the shop now for a prototype.

I have a photo in my gallery of a paddle that I made. Let me know your thoughts.... The bottom of the paddle is 8" across and I left the edge at 90 degrees for scraping the bottom of the brew kettles. I basically inverted the traditional paddle design.

 

[sourmash]

 

[Seawolf]

Just an update on my paddle. After 25 or so batches, it's still in one piece, and the Tung Oil treatment still looks great. It hasn't affected my head retention, or lost any of it's luster by being exposed to hot wort.

Skip the mineral oil, and try Tung oil.