Kialoa Methane

[surfercook]

My old Isle carbon fiber pro paddle finally wrecked so I scored a sweet Methane on ebay but need to cut it down from 80" to 73".  Pretty stoked on it for $150! It's quite different from my other paddles in regards to handle attachment. Need  some direction please.
Thanx 
Paddle photos flickr album-
https://www.flickr.com/gp/42058618@N05/QKWY08

[standuped]

Take a heat gun and get the handle  nice and hot, then put the handle on the floor and brace with your feet.  Twist and pull up on the shaft.  I've never done a Methane but the inside of a Pipes handle looks like this.

[surfercook]

SWEET!
Two questions-
1) I don't have or even know what a heat gun is. Although a quick Google would solve that! Soooo- Will a hairdryer work?
2) Reattach w/epoxy glue like Loctite? I used Loctite marine grade silicone to reattatch deck padding w/much success.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/epoxies.shtml

[standuped]

Heat gun about $25.  Really handy item. Hair dryer not so much.

If the Methane handle has no inner sleeve like the Pipes, I would not recommend the hot glue route. 5 min epoxy will be strong but still allow you to disassemble later with heat.

[DavidJohn]

I've done heaps of Methane's by using a pot of boiling water.. It's much safer than the heat gun IMO because you just have to go slightly too hot with the gun and the carbon fiber melts.. Boiling water can not get too hot.. Just submerge the handle in boiling water for a minute or two and it should twist off.. I found the hair dryer didn't work for me.. The best way is to just cut the shaft and order a new handle from Kialoa for about $20 if the boiling water doesn't work.

[eastbound]

i use that very heat gun with no issues, tho, had i thought of it, i might have used boiling water

[surfercook]

DJ, eastbound, and standuped, you guys are the best. All your suggestions REALLY help! I think I will try the boiling water thing. Guessing AFTER I buzz it down. Kialoa also replied to my inquiry w/this response. Interesting how there is a taper on the shaft. I examined it closely and my cut will be well above the taper.

If you look closely at the shaft, you will see that it becomes larger
around and oval as you go down from the top.  There is a point where you cannot
cut because the shaft will no longer fit inside a t-top.  Measure up from the
blade to 73" and look at the shaft at that point.  Can you tell if it is thicker
than where it goes into the top?  If so, I'm afraid that if you cut at that
point our top will not fit.
If it looks the same, perfect.  You can purchse a
new top from us and glue it on no problem. Call and let us know how we can help.

541-382-5355
Cheers,
Amy

[Bean]

If you cut into the wider shaft taper (and at 73" you will for sure) simply hog-out the hole in the handle to fit the oval shaft with a Dremel.  I've done this with a couple of Kialoas with great success. 

You should be able to save the old grip.  Worst case scenario, cut the grip flush and drill it out with a Forstner bit.

[Ozzy]

Surfercook

If I would have known you were on the zone I could have sold it to you direct and saved us both some $$. Glad you are stoked!

Campyrick
Aka ozzy

[Wetstuff]

Cookie.. Good buy.  Like Bean I had to use a slow speed router bit to open the cavity ..like a dentist.  Hot glue does not work ..neither did Gorilla foam: Poxy does!   ..and if you fall on it and break it - make sure you do not use pine dowel to splice it.  I had to re-do with hardwood.  Of 3 paddles.. I like this one the best. T-handle, oval shaft, small blade - just seems right in the surf. 

Jim

[surfercook]

Bean- appreciatin' your input. Turns out the cut will be above the 73" mark and the taper. I put the Isle next to the Kialoa for sizing and there's a T-handle on the Isle that adds length. That was my original concern as I never had to deal with the plain type handle of the Kialoa Methane.
Ozzy- I've been here a while now. But I didn't post my intentions to buy this paddle. Kinda just went w/it. Will try and keep you in mind next time. 
Wetstufff- Thanx for all the tips! With age comes wisdom!  (I'm gatherin' some "wisdom" myself)

[outcast]

if you haven't cut it yet, use a tile saw...works good on carbon.  cut it thru some tape to keeps micro splinters down
I love my Methanes, but have snapped them midshaft more than I would prefer.
Lately im using the Shaka because I think bigger blade is maybe a help with a small-marginal board for balancing

[Wetstuff]

Cast said it.. a little tile or metal chopsaw does clean work.   

Looking for some wisdom... where does the Isle paddle come to on you?  ..one of mine is head high, one 2" below and my big KeNalu for flatwater is Shaka high. (Cast, mine seems to get snagged in the chop if I take it in surf)  I have this knawing feeling in my gut; 2" below was a tick low. 

Jim

[surfercook]

Isle pro carbon paddle is 73". I'm 6' so that equates to 72". So it's an inch taller than me. Feels good at that length. I might just buzz the Isle down to an inch shorter than me now and give that a go.

[surfercook]

Handle came off after a good "Cooking" in the boiling water. I lowered it down to a med rolling boil and kept trying to persuade it off the shaft in approx 2 min intervals. Took me like 5 tries and it finally budged. But it came at a price. Handle is now split slightly. Guess I'll use it like this until it splits all the way, if ever does.
And don't forget this part!
http://www.kialoa.com/images/PDF/Full%20Carbon%20t-top%20Assembly2012.pdf