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Bridgeport Hardware hatchet/hammer/nail puller

C

Creedmoor

Joined
May 7, 2014
Messages
32
Hello,

I purchased a Kalamazoo 1x42 sander an while back and have just about run out of things to tinker with. I remembered this hatched that was in with a bunch of my dad's tools when he died several years ago. Hunted around till I found it.

It was in really bad shape. Looked like someone had used a sledge hammer to pound it through nails. The edge was bad and the face and claw all mushroomed. The claw looked so bad I considered cutting it off and reshaping the head. Spent some time working on it with a bench grinder and then the sander. Used a triangle file and a dremel to clean up the claw.

I think it came out pretty good for an amateur like myself. The only thing bugging me now is the handle. It has a small about of play in it and I would like to somehow tighten it up or if I have to, replace the handle.

Replacing the handle would be pretty tough for me. I'm not even sure how I could go about removing the rivets that hold it on. Drill them out I guess. If I did remove them and replace the handle, what could I use to replace them?

I don't really have a use for the hatchet, would be very light duty for sure.

I would appreciate any advice on the handle.

Thanks,

Joe














 
Wow, cool hatchet! And the refurb looks great. I recently picked up a Plumb half hatchet with what has been described as the original handle. The head did have a little play in it as well, as the handle was very dried out, as I suspect yours is. I would first try a sanding with a soaking in boiled linseed oil for a while. Maybe cut the top off a 2-liter soda bottle and fill it up with BLO and/or thinned BLO, and let the entire handle soak in it for a week. My guess is the wood will absorb a good bit and will likely tighten up (my Plumb tightened up even after one or two minor coats). It may not be perfect, but it's worth a shot as it's far less involved than replacing that (very cool) handle, which I suspect you might have to make, modify an existing handle, or search very hard for a replacement...I've never seen one like that before. You might be able to use a vice and some small drifts to "squeeze" the rivets a bit tighter, but that's just a guess.
 
Yea, replacing that handle would be tough. I'm sure it would entail making one out of some type of hammer handle. It might be outside my capabilities.

The play in the handle is mainly around the upper rivet. The rivet is moving some in the steel shaft of the hatchet and the wood is moving some around the rivet. There is about 1/64 to 1/32 of play. I know it doesn't sound like much but it is very noticeable. It would be nice if soaking it would tighten up the wood.

I keep wondering if the rivet could be tightened up some or even be replaced. I would like for it to look as close to original as possible.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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I would think the rivet could be replaced...my local hardware place has a bunch of different kinds. I think drilling it out would be the tough part (without damaging the handle). You could even use long brass Chicago screws (a king of "screw-together" rivet) to replace the rivets, making the handle more easily replaceable later one if it does decide to break.
 
Rivets can be tightened. Just bang on it with a punch. As it compresses it will also swell. That's what rivets do. Sometimes a heavy center punch works well, too.

Try hitting the side with the collar. Find some heavy metal object to use as an anvil. Support the opposite side of the rivet on a small flat washer if it's countersunk below the surface of the wood. Or place a bolt upside down in a heavy vise and have a friend hold the rivet on the bolt. Then whack it with a punch. Lot's of way to do it.
 
Square_peg said:
Rivets can be tightened. Just bang on it with a punch. As it compresses it will also swell. That's what rivets do. Sometimes a heavy center punch works well, too.

Try hitting the side with the collar. Find some heavy metal object to use as an anvil. Support the opposite side of the rivet on a small flat washer if it's countersunk below the surface of the wood. Or place a bolt upside down in a heavy vise and have a friend hold the rivet on the bolt. Then whack it with a punch. Lot's of way to do it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try.
 
Peen the rivet with a large steel punch, it should tighten it. My family has a similar hatchet that I just found at our cottage (a converted workshop). I sanded and oiled the blade as a first step. Need to bring a brass wire wheel next time to clean it up.
 
I did get out to the shop today and peened both rivets. It didn't take much to get all the play out of it.

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
 
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