Paddles have been part of Greek life since long. They are one of the prominent symbols of the fraternity that adorn the hallways and rooms of Greek homes across the nation. Nothing can bring you more joy than gifting your loved one a customized paddle that speaks about you and your relationship with the recipient. You can make a paddle on your own with some wood, paint and some manual labor. Here are some tips on how to make Greek paddle for your fraternity or sorority, older/younger sibling. Don’t forget to personalize the paddle so that it symbolizes your bonding. Materials You Will Need 1. Paper 2. Measuring tape 3. Piece of hardwood such as oak or maple 4. Drill with 1-inch bit 5. Large, medium, and fine grit sandpaper 6. Paint in various colors 7. Paint brushes 8. Wood glue 9. Decorative elements such as letters or ready-made words The Dynamics of the Paddle Design The first step in making Greek Paddles is getting the desired wood. However, there are some basic rules of the paddle design you must follow. In general, the length of Greek paddle should be four times that of the width. The Greek Paddles come with varied sizes. You can make a paddle as small as key chain and also make it big that is up to 2 ½ inches tall. The length of the paddle also includes the handle. The Design Draw a paddle on a piece of paper. The paddle has a rectangular shape with a thin handle coming out of center from one of its short sides. You can choose to have decorative pieces at the center or around the edge. Cutting the Wood Place the piece of wood on a table. Cut out the pattern drawn on the paper. Trace the same pattern on the piece of wood and cut the piece of wood as per pattern. Cut your paddle using a jigsaw. Drill a hole at the center of the handle. This will allow us to hang the Greek paddle on the wall. Smoothening the Surfaces Rub the wooden surface with large grit sand paper to remove any large imperfections in the wood. Use the medium grit sandpaper to make the surface smooth. At the end, use fine grit sandpaper to finish the sanding process. Paint & Decorate Paint the paddle or you can use wood stain also. Let the paint dry completely. Decorate the Greek paddle with items that are meaningful to you. You can buy ready-made words or letters and make phrases like “Big Sister” or “Big Brother” as you feel appropriate. Stick the letter with glue and sprinkle glitter on the paddle. How do you make Greek paddles? Please feel to leave your comments below. Letters Yard specializes in manufacturing and designing unique and custom wooden craft products like the Greek paddles ( lettersyard/greek-paddles ), fraternity paddles, sorority paddles, wood Greek letters, symbols and crests for special occasions.
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