WoodenBoat magazine has a searchable index. I am sure there have been
articles on making oars. The usual way is to start with square stock, mark
it for octagonal and then make it round where you want round. Blades can be
either glued-up or cut from a solid (and larger expensive) piece. Making
oars is joyful work and using your own oars is priceless.
Dave
"peter E" wrote in message
oups.com...
hi all,

we went rowing on the maribrynong river in Melbourne, Australia
yesterday. The boat went well but the oars and particulary the rowlocks
left a lot to be desired. We can do some work on the rowlocks and
improve them my using a closer fit between the rowlock pin and the
rowlock socket to stop the rattle.

We wil also add a spacer to rasie the rowlock becuase on the backstroke
a plastic fairing on the oar was scraping on the gunnel.

As to getting a new pair of oars I have found a site but it requires
having a shaft of 49mm diameter timber. As to making something like
this how practical is it to make a makeshift lathe using an electic
drill and then to shape some sqare section timber.

I have contacted a supplier of rowing sculls and they can provide me
with a pair of rowlocks for $120, good but a bit steep. A single oar
we have costed at $200 Aust!!, a bit steep, thus our interest making
out own.

help with how to turn the timber or a cheaper quality rowlock supplier
in australia would be very much appreciated.

regards,
n peter evans