If you happen to break your wooden handle on any of your older hammers or other tools, here is a few tips on fixing a wooden handle on your tools.
How To Fix That Wooden Hammer Handle
A broken hammer handle, axe, or stone hammer can have wooden handles, and I find one of the easiest ways to replace them is to drill some holes with a steel bit down through the wood, which will usually loosen them. Then just use a punch or an old large bolt, and drive out the wood.
They can also be burnt out if you happen to have a wood stove, but that can take a while.
The Handles
Usually some of your local hardware stores will carry replacement handles for your axes, hammers, etc., and they also have the steel wedges to keep the handles tight.
Wedges
You will find that on most hammer handles there is a slot for the wedges to fit into, and is best to put a wooden wedge in this also, which can be made from a scrap piece of wood, or just use a piece of cedar shingle.
Once your wooden wedge is driven in you can cut any excess off, and then install the metal wedge at 90 degrees to the wooden wedge, and drive it in level to the top of the hammer.
What Type Of Wood Is Best To Use For A Hammer Handle
As mentioned before you can buy wooden handles for most of your tools, put you can also make your own using Ash, Hickory, Maple, or any other hardwood that could be growing in your area.
As many of the Ash trees are dying from some disease around where I live its easy to find a branch of the right size for your handles. Just shape the wood down to the size that is comfortable for your grip, then give it a sanding and it will last as long as the store bought handles.
Handle Lengths For Tools
The handle length can vary with the weight of the hammer head, and usually a head weight of 20 ounces will have a handle around 15 inches long, and from 22 to 24 ounces the handle can be longer, or if making your own handle it can be what ever your comfortable with.
If you decide to make a handle for an axe or other larger tool, then considering the time you will put into making it, then it is probably cheaper to go to your local hardware store and buy one already made.
Preserving The Wood Handles
If you want your hammer handles to last longer then linseed oil is the best preservative recommended. You can rub it on with a cloth rag allowing the oil to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes, then rub the handle down with a clean rag until the surface of the wood feels dry, and leave it to cure or rest overnight or about 8 hours before using.
For even better protection you can repeat the above procedure a few extra times, or when ever you feel it is needed.
Protecting The Hammer Handle
Some times a person will wrap black electrical tape around the handle just below the hammer head, to help protect it from any hits that miss the target.
Related:
Final Thoughts
If you happen to have left a hammer, or any other tool with a wooden handle outside during the winter or for a long length of time, you might find that the handle has gotten weak, and is in need of repairs.
I hope some of the ideas above will help you out in replacing the handles, and be able to give some new life to your older tools.
