Thread: D.I.Y. Paddle Strops

I went looking for an Aussie maker of paddle strops, couldn't find anything, and then my pride got the better of me, so I made these.
Basically they are 4mm balsa from Bunnings and some old/seasoned pine slabs from a wrecked piece of furniture found by the side of the road.

Glued with Selleys PVA Aquadhere wood glue (Bunnings) and then clamped overnight between two boards.
The Chromium Oxide (green) and Iron Oxide (red) paste were bought from Shaver Hut.

I found an old piece of leather so I made a slightly smaller leather paddle strop as well.

The paste was applied and left overnight, then the excess was wiped off with some paper towels.

Any excuse to go to Bunnings is a good excuse, so I'll go back next week and buy some of those rubber non-slip pads for the undersides.

It's a shame you didn't make them a month ago, they look rather festive .
Nowt wrong with making your own, if you make more, why not cut out a handle as well when cutting the pine, that way they would be a bit more versatile ie you could hold one end at an angle etc. But they look good.

Aussie made "Bongo" boards

Hi Ed, and a Happy New Year to you.
I've thought about a handle, but being lazy, I wonder if I can find a suitable wooden fence paling to do the job with minimal cutting....

Originally Posted by Sunbird

Aussie made "Bongo" boards

Yep, I can see a business plan forming

Great things grow from tiny seeds. We look forward to the "progression".

Paling fence boards might be too grainy and hard to get a smooth finish. Suggest looking for a fine grain timber.

There are some magnificent W.A. timbers just waiting to become Bongo boards!

Originally Posted by bongo

Hi Ed, and a Happy New Year to you.
I've thought about a handle, but being lazy, I wonder if I can find a suitable wooden fence paling to do the job with minimal cutting....

Yup that's definately lazy pine really isn't hard to cut. And moulded timber is considerably more expensive than dressed all round timber. And rough sawn is cheaper still but it's not really suitable for your needs.
Here is a thought:
You can buy brass threaded inserts for timber, put one into your bongo board, cut a piece of broomhandle put one in that and use a short piece of threaded bar to join them. Or drill a 10mm hole through the centre if the handle stopping 20mm from the end, then drill a suitably sized hole through the end to put a screw through and into the threaded insert in the bongo board.

Good on ya Bongo. Good work!


Mick

I made my own leather and balsa strops on pine boards from a big box store. They work great! I also made my own hanging strop to learn on from some sheath leather. It looks worse than my face during the learning curve of straight shaving but it still works so I have not upgraded.

Originally Posted by JMJones

I made my own leather and balsa strops on pine boards from a big box store. They work great! I also made my own hanging strop to learn on from some sheath leather. It looks worse than my face during the learning curve of straight shaving but it still works so I have not upgraded.

Hey JM, I'd love to see some pics .