Hi guys,
After some advice - I've got a KeNalu x-Tuf blade & shaft, and on last paddle noticed a very VERY slight movement on the T-handle. I'm pretty tough on it generally so am not concerned with the quality but I do want to re-glue it to make sure it doesn't come loose. Can anyone advise what type of glue I should be using to add to the glue that came on the parts? Am assuming it's a 'hot melt' type glue as I assembled it with a hairdryer to melt it in the first place, but can anybody point me in the right direction for glue type to reinforce the join? Is it just a standard type of hot melt adhesive available from a hardware store? Or a specialty type due to salt water exposure etc?
Thanks in advance 
Any slight movement can result in water getting into your paddle.. or the handle falling off while paddling.
It's usually normal hot-glue so it can be taken apart easier than using epoxy.
If you have trouble with it moving I'd recomend using 5 min epoxy (Aroldite).
I've been able take apart 5 min epoxy'd paddles using boiling water.
Any craft shop or discount shop often have glue gun sticks for a few dollars. That's what I use, warming the glue stick and overcoating all around, the heat the shaft and handle to set. Excess oozes out and breaks off once cooled. A few turns of electrical tape at each joint will help seal out water.
I got some hot glue from Bunnings. My advice is use plenty of glue and twist back and forth multiple times.
as long as you tape the components the excess comes away easily.
just follow the assembly instructions
Their website states hot glue. You can get them cheap from bunnings or use a 2 part epoxy from bunnings also.
The Kenalu make a good paddle with their knuckle joint, solid construction.
I've always used 5 min epoxy (Aroldite) & a hairdryer to loosen. When using hair dryer, make sure you rotate the shaft. Any excess on the joins can be covered with electrical tape...so don't stress if doesn't look like the perfect job.
I actually do not need a lot of hot glue to have a fairly strong bond. But I make sure that both parts are hot otherwise the bond is not as strong. I also use electrical tape at the junction while the joint is still warm so that the tape also bond with the hot glue. As proven many times when having to take this apart, it is a strong bond.
I use run of the mill hot glue for hard bonding that I find at the hardware store. It might require a little bit more warming to get loose.
I had a Hot Glue party this morning.
Over the past few years I have broken a few shafts.
Latest one was last week, when a board flew right at me.... I ninja'd my paddle up and it took the hit, instead of my face.
Broke the shaft in half... so lucky I was quick enough.
Anyway... hot glued the salvage yard, into hybrid paddles.
The glue works great... I never epoxy anything, if I can avoid it.
The glue we use is an industrial strength hot melt glue but the standard stuff you can get from a hardware store does the job. We've got heaps of spare glue that is supplied in small chips. Shoot me a PM if you want some to re-glue a Ke Nalu paddle and we can post it to you.
A few tips to help get a good bond and a nice clean finish:
- watch the assembly vid 
- wrap both components with electrical tape so that excess glue doesn't make a mess when joint is pressed together.
- make sure both components are well heated but be careful to not cook it! Keep the heat source moving. Glue should be like thick honey when it's sufficiently heated.
- insert the blade / handle into the shaft with a screwing motion, in and out several times to work the glue into the joint.
- I use a wet finger to wipe the excess glue flat onto the electrical tape while it is still hot. Be careful though cause it'll burn if you don't keep your finger wet.
- remove the electrical tape and most of the excess glue while the glue is still hot. This will leave about a 2mm wide, tidy bead of glue around the joint.
- reheat the remaining bead of glue and flatten it across the joint with a wet finger.
- while glue is still hot and soft apply a couple of wraps of electrical tape over the glue / joint. The hot glue melts the glue on the electrical tape and it kind of acts like shrink wrap.
It sounds like a bit of a process but it's very easy and only takes a couple of minutes.
Another tip.....don't leave your paddle out to bake in the hot sun! It can get hot enough to soften the glue.
Happy paddling!!
Select to expand quoteDeano72 said..
The glue we use is an industrial strength hot melt glue but the standard stuff you can get from a hardware store does the job. We've got heaps of spare glue that is supplied in small chips. Shoot me a PM if you want some to re-glue a Ke Nalu paddle and we can post it to you.
A few tips to help get a good bond and a nice clean finish:
- watch the assembly vid
- wrap both components with electrical tape so that excess glue doesn't make a mess when joint is pressed together.
- make sure both components are well heated but be careful to not cook it! Keep the heat source moving. Glue should be like thick honey when it's sufficiently heated.
- insert the blade / handle into the shaft with a screwing motion, in and out several times to work the glue into the joint.
- I use a wet finger to wipe the excess glue flat onto the electrical tape while it is still hot. Be careful though cause it'll burn if you don't keep your finger wet.
- remove the electrical tape and most of the excess glue while the glue is still hot. This will leave about a 2mm wide, tidy bead of glue around the joint.
- reheat the remaining bead of glue and flatten it across the joint with a wet finger.
- while glue is still hot and soft apply a couple of wraps of electrical tape over the glue / joint. The hot glue melts the glue on the electrical tape and it kind of acts like shrink wrap.
It sounds like a bit of a process but it's very easy and only takes a couple of minutes.
Another tip.....don't leave your paddle out to bake in the hot sun! It can get hot enough to soften the glue.
Happy paddling!!
Cheers Dean - much appreciated
