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Loose Hammer Head

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Jesse_Smith
Posts: 70
Member
Topic starter
 

In the past, I've thrown an ax with a loose head, in a bucket of water before using it. It swells the handle in the head nicely, but a week later it's just as loose as ever. I pick up hammers here and there at yard sales and such, and some of them are quite loose. Also, the handles seem to be very dry and I worry that adding an extra wedge would just destroy the handle. I find myself wondering if soaking it in oil would swell the handle but not dry out so quickly like water?

How do you maintain your hammer handle/head fit, or restore older hammers?

 
Posted : 08/11/2017 10:45 pm
Posts: 775
Noble Member Apprentice Bladesmith
 

Adding a wedge shouldn't destroy the handle. It's sometimes hard to get one driven into the handle though. I've had the best luck using a hardened masonry nail.

 
Posted : 09/11/2017 1:27 am
Posts: 524
Honorable Member Journeyman Bladesmith (5yr)
 

Jesse

Some of my blacksmithing friends soak there hammer heads in anti freeze, it will not dry out like water will, and the wood shrank back as before. I have used Brownells Acraglas , it is thin enough

to run down into tight places let set 24 hours, and no more loose hammer head. It will also soak into any cracks strengthening the wood handle. This will work on an

existing loose hammer head. At least I have had good luck with it.

Anthony

 
Posted : 09/11/2017 6:52 am
Posts: 104
Estimable Member Journeyman Bladesmith
 

soak in a bucket of boiled linseed oil.

The oil will not evaporate. It actually hardens so after the handle swells it should lock in.

 
Posted : 11/11/2017 5:26 pm
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