How to remove a wooden T-Grip from a carbon shaft that is glued with epoxy?

[BozoCanoe]

There are so many knowledgeable people on this forum I thought I would consult the hive mind before I started experimenting.

I would like to cut down a Bending Branches Sunburst ST carbon fiber paddle 2". I know how to cut the carbon shaft, but I am seeking advice on how to remove the wood T-grip which is factory glued with two part epoxy. I'd like to re-use the grip if I can.

• The T-grip plug is 2.5" long (AKA it goes into the shaft 2.5") so if I leave the grip on and just cut the shaft there will still be a 1/2" plug remaining in the hole which I will have to drill out without damaging the shaft. Seems like a sketchy move.
• I know for a fact it is glued with epoxy. I called the company and talked with a rep. He was super nice about it, but he did not know how to remove it.
• Heat gun? Boiling water? Incantations?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. Hello from Montana :^)

 

[gumpus]

Howdy from Michigan.

I shortened a Starburst. You have to cut the shaft to get the grip off since BB does not use heat sensitive epoxy. I suggest that you shorten the shaft by 2 inches and work to get out the remaining short stub by drilling out as much as you can then scraping with utility knife or exacto knife...or use a rat tail file.

Should work fine but worst case you can always shorten it more. In my case I cut the shaft a little shorter than necessary (not on purpose) but it worked out fine.

To get the carbon fiber off the grip I made radial cuts with a hacksaw every 1/4-1/2 inch and then just used a utility knife to scrape and cut off the carbon fiber. It works. You'll end up with a wood grip with slightly reduced diameter stub. I glued toothpicks to mine to regain the original diameter.

If you shorten the paddle a little too much you can regain a little length by letting maybe 1/4-1/2 inch of the stub stick out above the shaft (don't insert grip all the way). You'll have to work to get a nice tight fit.

I think the carbon fiber dust is evil so I always cut outside and use damp paper towels and sometimes soap and water to clean up the dust right after cutting.

If you use Devcon 2 part 5 minute epoxy to reattach the grip you'll have the option of removing the grip again using heat. Heat gun works best but it can be tricky...too much heat will damage the shaft.

Pic shows my older model Starburst with a symmetrical grip from a newer Starburst.

 

[Alan Gage]

I defer to Gumpus's first hand experience but, if it was mine, I'd still try a heat gun first just in case you get lucky. I've shortened a few ZRE paddles and most released easily with some heat but one was extremely stubborn. I got it very, very, hot before the handle finally broke loose. I half expected the grip or shaft to break with all the twisting and pulling pressure.

Alan

 

[gumpus]

I defer to Gumpus's first hand experience but, if it was mine, I'd still try a heat gun first just in case you get lucky. I've shortened a few ZRE paddles and most released easily with some heat but one was extremely stubborn. I got it very, very, hot before the handle finally broke loose. I half expected the grip or shaft to break with all the twisting and pulling pressure.

Alan

Bending Branches was kind enough to sell me a couple of Starburst grips. When I spoke to them they explicitly told me that their adhesive cannot be softened with heat. I've also shortened some Zaverals and several other brands of CF paddle. Zav uses a dab of adhesive, Bending Branches slathers on what looks like red structural adhesive that extends the full length of the 3 inch stub. Even if they used heat-sensitive glue you'd have to put a massive amount of heat into the shaft to loosen it and in my experience there's an excellent chance that you'd damage the shaft. Heat damage can't be repaired. Its tricky enough that GRB recommends that customers don't try it even though they use heat-sensitive glue. Although the "see if you get lucky" approach sounds good I think you can also get unlucky and damage a shaft. In addition to variations in adhesive rhere are clearly differences in shaft construction across manufacturers; the Bending Branches shaft is much thicker than a Zav and I would not assume that it is identical to a Zav in it's ability to take heat without damage.

I've damaged more than one paddle with heat so I'm more sensitive about it now.

 

[tketcham]

Gumpus provides good advice. I've shortened the shaft and replaced the grip twice now with BB Sunburst paddles, once with a new grip and once with a re-used grip.

I think you're better off cutting the shaft at the bottom of the grip plug and living with a paddle that's 2.5" shorter rather than trying to drill and file the old plug and epoxy out to get 2.0" exactly. It is doable, but not worth the effort in my experience. I've found that I prefer paddles that are a bit shorter than what I thought (or was recommended) to be the "ideal" length any way.