Hi Shawn,

OK You guy's talked me into it. I decided to quit work on the boat for a while. Figured I'd let you catch up! I took a couple pieces of white pine 3/4" x 1-1/2" and 48" long. I figured on using an 18" loom and set up the router table with a 1" round nose bit. I then cut a half round groove 20" long down the middle of each piece and glued them together. So best I can tell I've got about 1/4" of stock one way and 3/8" the other way. As long as I'm careful and cut the oval shap the right way I should end up with a very light hollow loom. I think I'll make the blade similar to the last paddle using cedar and pine accent strips. What do thing about steam bending the ash strip around the outside of the blade like I did last time? Should I go for the abrasion resistance or the ultralight? Last time I used two 1/8" layers wrapped around the blade.