Hammer handles

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Hammer handles

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Dave

Joined: 09 Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Location: North Worcs

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 11:13 am Post subject: Hammer handles

Over the last couple of months I have broken the handles on 2 sledgehammers, one log maul and a 2lb ball & peen hammer.
These were all old tools rangin between 15 to 30 years old so I suppose they do not owe me anything.
However try buying replacement handles! They are either not stocked ( with the assistant looking at you as if you have escaped from some mental institution)or the price is almost the same as buying a new tool. Ebay etc is out as the postage again makes the price prohibitive.
So my question is this .
I have got some Hawthorn branches about the right size, is there any reason I should not use those as handles? Is the wood likely to shatter or is there some other problem that I might encounter?
I have tried looking up on the internet but cannot seem to dind anything helpful.
Does anyone here have any thoughts?

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 11:18 am Post subject:
I've not heard of hawthorn being used. Hickory is the firm favourite due to it's ability to absorb shock but I'd happily try ash as a substitute.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 11:38 am Post subject:
Would willow work? Or yew?

T.G

Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 12:14 pm Post subject:
isn't hawthorn a bit of a 'springy' wood? not sure that would be suitable in a hammer shaft

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 12:16 pm Post subject:
I`ve made Hatchet and Mandrel handles {Colliery Tools}from Ash, As to buy would be a minimum order of 500

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 12:16 pm Post subject:
I`ve made Hatchet and Mandrel handles {Colliery Tools}from Ash, As to buy would be a minimum order of 500

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 11 1:26 pm Post subject:
Ash is the traditional wood in the UK for handles. This link shows the making of an axe handle from ash.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 11 8:51 pm Post subject:
Interesting video, I find it easier to plank a section of Ash,mark out the curve from an old handle,and cut the waste wood off,then shape with a spokeshave,and sand down where needed.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 11 11:29 pm Post subject:
If making from ash I would suggest that, for maximum strength, you cleave a log length ways using an axe or ideally a froe to approximate size. Then trim down use a spoke shave or draw knife.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 9:16 am Post subject:
How odd that these things are not readily available in the UK; I'm sure they are in France, where it's commonplace to buy heads and shafts separately for all sorts of tools.

Rusticwood

Joined: 01 Dec 2009
Posts: 2154
Location: All over the South West

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 9:21 am Post subject:
You can still get them but you have to look around try farmers merchants for sledge, axe and other long handles short ones at the old style hardware shops

bodrighy

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 2159
Location: Near Devizes

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 9:26 am Post subject:
You can get them in the Farmers Stores here in Cornwall. Don't use yew, hawthorn etc far too soft and springy. Ash as said is better. Wood with a long straight grain is best. Pete

Dave

Joined: 09 Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Location: North Worcs

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 10:51 am Post subject:
Thanks for the ideas folks. It is not impossible to buy the handles but as I said either they cost as much as a new one or I would have to make a 50 mile trip to buy one at a sensible price! Sad to say it is symptomatic of todays economic society that you replace rather than repair.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 11:12 am Post subject:
Mole valley farmers have various handles.

Dave

Joined: 09 Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Location: North Worcs

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 11 1:58 pm Post subject:
Thank you Alison, but to buy a replacement handle from them will cost �10.43 with postage whereas I can go to a carboot trader and buy a complete new sledge for the same price. perhaps next time I head down to Cornwall I may call in .

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