Cold steel shovel handle out of plastic?

T

tmix

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Jun 28, 2006
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I would like to replace the handle on my special forces shovel with some kind of synthetic. I have a lathe to turn the material down in, but need some recomendations on what kind of material to use. Teflon, ABS, whatever.
Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,
tmix
 
Considering the diameter of the handle, I don't think you have to get too exotic to find adequate strength. I think High Density Polyethylene would make an inexpensive and very tough handle. Alternatively, I'm pretty sure the Monadnock PR-24 night sticks are made from polycarbonate. Can't get much tougher than that I'd say.
 
WOW thats a great idea! You taking orders????? I would love to have a handle like that on my CS shovel!
 
The pr-24 is a great idea but I think they may be a bit too small diamater. I'll have to check that sometime soon. If it would fit, it would make a great, virtually indestructable, handle.

Great idea.

Charles
 
I think the handle would have to be at least 1.5" OD. I just need to find some HDPE or some UHMDPE rod that is black in color. Does anyone know where I can purchase small quantities of plastic materials?
 
For the handle, use Delrin. It's uber-strong and will stand up to hard use. Try to get it locally and call around and see if anyone has some pieces leftover or better yet, call the manufacturer and ask for a 2' sample piece and machine that to fit.

I used to be able to get pieces cut to size from Read Plastics in Rockville, Maryland but I don't live there anymore so I don't know what they have.
 
I personally like hickory the best for hawk or axe handles and the only thing I would change my CS handle to is a better hickory handle. I would be really interested to know how yours turns out though. There are some amazing plastics out there or you could get real fancy and do it like a hockey stick with
fibreglass/plastic in the centre of a wood handle.
 
It's been awhile since I originally posted this question. I got distracted by another project, but now I'm back on the synthetic shovel handle.
I've found some different types of plasctic and wonder which one I should buy.
I found a piece of Nylatron that might work as well as a piece of Delrin.
Does anyone have any experience machining these plastics?
Which one would be most suitable for a shovel handle?
 
If your not opposed to yellow you might have a look at plastic replacement handles for sledge hammers. Most hardware stores carry them.
 
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