Methods for putting new handle on!

J

Jared Stenoien

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
1,025
Sorry, probably think I'm stupid or something but is there anything in particular that is recommended to do when putting the new handle on? Or should I just go ahead and shove it in and pound the wedge in? Cool side note, the wedge actually looks handmade, I can see what looks like coarse file marks on it. Kinda neat to think my great grandfather may have made it. Makes you wonder how much this hammer has been used for.
 
Sorry, for those that didn't see my other thread I have a 2# ball pein hammer that was old when my great grandfather was my age and my dad cracked the handle a few years back. I just got the handle taken off to replace it and was wondering if I should glue it or wet it or anything before I actually attached it. Thanks
 
Jared,

Don't wet it. Wood swells when it's wet and shrinks as it dries. So the head will loosen if the wood is wet when you put it on.

Just put in on, hold the hand end of the handle down and head vertically above it and tap the end of the handle on something hard to set it. Drive in the wedge, cut off the excess wood if required and enjoy a legacy most people don't get to have. I love using my grandfathers old tools.

chiger,
 
chiger said:
Jared,

Don't wet it. Wood swells when it's wet and shrinks as it dries. So the head will loosen if the wood is wet when you put it on.

Just put in on, hold the hand end of the handle down and head vertically above it and tap the end of the handle on something hard to set it. Drive in the wedge, cut off the excess wood if required and enjoy a legacy most people don't get to have. I love using my grandfathers old tools.

chiger,
Click to expand...


An alternative to wrapping the end of the handle down onto something hard, is to hold the handle in your hand with the head on it, with the butt end of the handle facing you. Then take another hammer and wrap the end of the handle. If you do this while it's only being held in your hand, it tends to lessen any damage to the butt end of the handle. Then you can drive your wedge and cut off excess wood as chiger stated.

I've found over the years that I do less damage this way than pounding the end down on something hard.

Ickie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top