Splitting maul problem

Curt Hal

Curt Hal

Joined
Jul 8, 2014
Messages
558
I rehung this 6 lb splitting maul for my B-I-L not too long ago. He claims the handle split after just a few uses. My questions:

1) is this pretty common?
2) is this a defect in the handle, do you think?
3) did I make a mistake when I re-hung it? The grain runs in line with the maul head.

Any ideas?
 
How much was he overstriking? That's a ton of damage to inflict from proper use....... So my guess is shock damages
 
End grain orientation is proper on this and I can't see enough to comment about potential grain runout although the split looks very suspicious in that regard. Imperfect piece of wood. Mauls are subject to severe overstrikes (due to the heavy head) which is as stressful to a haft as you can get and that's for sure what happened here. Lucky that mauls are fairly easy to re-haft. You may want to bind a generous amount of inner tube rubber around the shoulder next time around. Might buy the owner some more time between overhauls.
 
My Grandfather has had the same piece of old bicycle tire on his maul for going on about 50 years now, after (way too many) cords of wood, and who knows how many overstrikes it's still going. It works wonders in reducing the shock to the handle.
 
Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. This give me lots to look at. I suspect a perfect storm of grain run out and overstrike. It being my first maul re-haft, I may have had to drastic an angle on the shoulder instead of a gradual taper, as Garry 3 suggests. I will use your suggestions and re-haft this thing. Good thing its all fun and learning.
 
I highly suspect overstricking, even a perfect haft will shatter if overstruck with a 6lbs head, lets be real.
judging from the picture, id say the grain was twisting in the haft, but the way it cracked... im 90% sure it was overstrike.
 
Probably caused by overstrikes. But even the best looking handles can have unseen flaws and can fail. Check the handle for overstrike damage. If it's there then re-hang it for him and wrap the handle with wire or some other protector.
 
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