Tool handle plans

Nice links. The cross section drawings are an interesting detail.

I looked through the second link a bit and saw specs for an 80 lb sledge hammer, spec #55619. Good stuff.
 
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jwaj said:
Nice links. The cross section drawings are an interesting detail.

I looked through the second link a bit and saw specs for an 80 lb sledge hammer, spec #55619. Good stuff.
Click to expand...

I think that is a 30 lb sledge. I know it looks like an "8" but i think the draftsman's lettering guide slipped and it's a wonky "3". I also have a 77 pound anvil that is a lot bigger than the dimensions shown. Having said that, i wouldn't want to CARRY a 30 lb sledge, much less actually SWING it, makes my back hurt just thinking about it.

BTW, pegs, thanks for the link. I love looking at old plans like these.
 
jwaj said:
Nice links. The cross section drawings are an interesting detail.
Click to expand...

I like that stuff. Also notice that the swell is 1-5/8" thick. Most modern swells are 1-3/8" to 1-1/2" thick. The size of the swell determines the size of the handle blank. If you can squeeze one more handle out of a piece of stock then the cost per unit goes down. The trade off is IMO and less safe axe.
 
Thanks for sharing. I'm about to try to rig up a shaving horse, in the hope of turning some American hornbeam into axe helves. those plans will help.
 
Thank you, Square Peg!
Lots of cool stuff.
The 30lb sledge makes me quiver.
Got that 5lb plumb axe hung to day. Going to try it out tomorrow and well the nights still young and I plan on kicking up my heels abit. So I predict I will bite off more than I can chew tomorrow and have a terrible case of the "blind stagers":eek: just hope its not hot. You play you pay.
 
Square_peg said:
Here are dimensions for making your own axe handles.

http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=77900-B&frame=YES

Looks like they were strict about having not more than 20 growth rings per inch in their hickory.


Tons of other cool stuff on this site.

http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=&frame=YES
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I find that it is interesting about the growth rings in the Hickory. I have not worked with alot of Hickory but I have suspected for some time that the tighter ringed hickory was a bit weaker. Just a guess but the tighter ringed stuff could be a result of wood layed down mostly in the spring(early wood). On the other hand Fir,Tammarack and Yew are almost always stronger with the smaller growth rings.
 
rwn2000 said:
I think that is a 30 lb sledge. I know it looks like an "8" but i think the draftsman's lettering guide slipped and it's a wonky "3". I also have a 77 pound anvil that is a lot bigger than the dimensions shown. Having said that, i wouldn't want to CARRY a 30 lb sledge, much less actually SWING it, makes my back hurt just thinking about it.

BTW, pegs, thanks for the link. I love looking at old plans like these.
Click to expand...

Sledges that heavy are generally for use in building timber or stick frame structures where you have to scoot a piece to square up a section of built walls. They call them 'persuaders' and they sure work better than using your shoulder to budge a standing frame an inch or two. You keep the sledge low and let it swing a bit like a croquet mallet. Nice solid thumps will get things trued up into place.
 
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