Paddleblades for PS Decoy - 55mm x 15mm x 3.17mm

[Derek Warner]

My older brother generously donated three spare 1/8" thick cedar slats form his new cedar horizontal
type unit blinds for Decoys paddle blades, however I would prefer plastic imitation wood for certain
reasons - cedar will not rot, but gets very soft when exposed to water - I could use the cedar &
paint with epoxy resin, however this would make them grow & secondly each blade is to be attached
to the wheel assembly [as shown in my wheel snap] by four 1/16" diameter brass split pins soft soldered
to the 1/16" protruding pins as currently shown [in a similar method as shown on David's PT Scotia]

So I see that both David [Scotia] & Stuart [Reliant] have used ?? black plastic blades ??, but I think
Australian paddlers would have used say red gum hard wood for the blades so would like to maintain
the wood look for Decoy etc

I have spoken to local window covering manufacturers re the availability of plastic imitation wood, but
all I get is the "we only use real timber" story - so does any other PD have thoughts on availability of
suitable or alternate wood look blade material? - Derek

[Dai Powell]

Hi Derek,
Why do you prefer plastic to the real thing? I agree that
cedar gets soft when wet but if you made it a little thinner and
then coated it with a coat of polyurethane you should be ok, however
why not use the "real" thing and use red gum? I know it would
require more work to reduce to a suitable thickness but being a hard
wood could probably get away with a coat of "Teak oil" and would
cetainly not "melt" as plastic may. Anyhow good luck and a happy New
Year to you.................Dai Powell

[Leighton]

Hi Derek,
Regarding the plastic blades for your model.
I am in the Blind business here in NZ and we throw out literally
hundreds of slats that you are looking for.
If you like to email me your street address at blinds4u@actrix.co.nz
I'll send some over in a tube. What you don't use pass on to others.
I've never measured the thickness but it is around 2.5mm - 3.5mm the
width is 50mm
Isn't it strange that for one product plastic does not look right
yet for something else it's perfect
Leighton