I'm a metalsmith, and my hammers are priceless. It's always good to find ways to restore or modify old ones that you can find here and there at yard sales and flea markets. And there's something about using a tool that has a long history...sometimes you almost feel like the tool has it's own memory and is happy to be back in hand. I'm going to wander through these videos to see what other tool tips I can use - thanks for posting!
Don't want to be a "word-Nazi" or anything, BUT the easy way to remember the difference between "concave" and "convex" is just simply to think of a CAVE going INto the ground. Look at a bowl, the inside is curved IN and so the curve is called "conCAVE". Great video, Cody. Have a great time in Montana. Looking forward to the information which you will be learning and then passing onto your viewers!
Starting a big, all summer long, formwork/shuttering job tomorrow and putting a new handle on my 4lb sledge. been many years since I did this civil engineering stuff and been watching a few reminders of handle fitting. Yours is the simplest and best! Thanks and kind regards from North Wales!
The hammer turned out very well. I've never made and wedged a handle, but I think I can now do it after watching all your videos. Thanks for your effort and time.
I have several sledge hammers that I inherited from my dad. One is a four-pounder with a very small eye. I have replaced the handle a couple of time because I have to sand down the end a lot to make it fit. Now that I've been watching you, I know how to pick out handles, and to properly sand and shape the handle to fit. I also have an eight-pounder that didn't have a handle when I got it. I accidentally picked one out with good grain orientation. Now I know what to look for. Thanks, Cody.
I might leave for a while, but I always find my way back to these videos. A true treasure of modern simplicity. I appreciate all the skill that goes into making these.
It's interesting...your comments towards the end of the video, because I have recently been out looking for vintage tools to restore after watching numerous videos from you. I am still waiting in the family line to get passed down some of the tools and equipment that have long been in the family....well as always impressive craftsmanship and quality in all that you do. Best of luck to you and your family and keep up the inspiring videos.
Great videos Great craftsmanship Great living homesteading I appreciate what you do for your viewers and also our country. Keeping our country beautiful is great and is something we have lost. helping our neighbors is something we have lost so it's really great what you do sir. Thank you hope you keep it up
Something not touched on, but it's important to cover is proper disposal or cleanup of cotton that's come into contact with boiled linseed oil. It's important that you safely dispose of any cotton rags that linseed oil comes into contact with. When linseed oil is exposed to air, it reacts with the oxygen molecules in an exothermic reaction that generates enough heat that if on or exposed to certain materials like cotton can combust. Either wash out the cloth or keep it in an airtight fire safe trash bin.
As a retired Arson Investigator, I can attest to what you say here. I can specifically recall three homes that burned due to the careless disposal of linseed oil soaked rags. I also had one guy who intentionally set his house on fire with linseed oiled rags set right next to a plastic gasoline container. Actually, he might have gotten away with it if he hadn't been so nervous during questioning.
I do lawn care for people an found an old hammer. I also found a broken shovel in the trash that someone tossed. Well, normally I wouldn't give them a second thought, but after watching all your handle replacement videos, Ive started keeping an eye out and will be replacing the handles on these tools.
Having my 1st cup on the treadmill, this morning, watching this vid. Two things. 1. Surviving and thriving during "interesting times" fall more along the line of your vids, than a lot of the survival fantasy out there. 2. The humble, sincere, passionate spiritual tone of your vids reaches many. I praise God for you obediently sharing your message. Going to church today (don't yell, I know it's Sunday) with a smile on my face becasue of this vid. May God richly bless you, your family, and your ministry...to His glory.
Very satisfying to watch. I just re handled an axe of unknown quality and age with a store bought handle just to save another tool. It was very enjoyable to fit the axe head and swing it for the first time into a fresh cut cedar round. I even happened to have the same four way rasp you have. Having all four of those surfaces available in one tool was very convenient. Thanks for the video.
Right there with you on the linseed oiling of the wedges. Never do one with out, saves the wedge curling and lets you pack it in there. Nice one Wrangler.
This video was very helpful. I just wish I had watched it yesterday. Whilst I can do most jobs, I tried to fit a new handle on a 10pound hammer head. And I must admit to making a total mess of it. this handle replacement is a dying skill. People all too easily throw the hammer head in the scrap and buy a new one. I am not beaten though, I have probably ruined a good Hickory handle that cost £7.99p. But I will buy another, save the handle to make wedges. And start again. I will master handle fitting. The throw away world we live in sickens me.
Richard Sandwell + What a winning attitude you have Richard. And the shortened hickory handle will still work on a lot of tools, or knives, or screwdrivers....Please bear with me, i don't seem to be able to throw anything away.
Doing my third axe re-handle the other day and the new bag of little metal step wedges said "oil before" on them and I just face palmed and thought, why haven't I been doing this the whole time! It was so much better. Love your work as always, thanks for sharing with us :)
Cody , You really have me anticipating garage sale season! I can't wait to get my hands on a few old tools and give restoration a try. I am inspired! Thanks for all you have given us and continue to give. Through you, these skills can be passed down through our families as well as yours. Much appreciated.
Awesome Video! I have two new handles and a 8 and 12 pound heads. First time I'm doing this type of tool work. This is the best demonstration on how to replace the handles. Look forward to seeing your other videos. Thank You So Much!
i recently stumbled upon your channel while searching for knife sharpening, I've now been watching random videos for the past 2 days, id have to say you are insanely talented in everything I've seen you do. I'm far from a bush crafter or someone who lives on a homestead but boy do i want to after watching all these videos. good work!
I get so sentimental watching your videos my late grandfather use to like to do things the same way as you do and being a farmer in Australia he had to be proficient with so many trades , I just wish i was older so he could of passed on more knowledge too me. that's why what your doing wranglerstar is so important .Preserving knowledge and technique for years to come Thank You keep up the great videos
The hammer and wedges really looks nice Cody, I'm always impressed by your workmanship. Keep up the great work brother, I'm learning with every video. Thank you
Ahh Wranglerstar. You one wild and crazy guy you. ;) Love the handmade handles and the restoration of old tools. I redid a garage sale hatchet for my oldest son for Christmas last year. He was so surprised he thought I bought him a brand new ax.
I finally replaced my two sledge hammer handles using the above clip. Didn't have a vice at the time but I tell you this video was a tremendous help. I was able to fix an old axe handle as well. I basically followed the video including using the linseed oil. Best of Health and keep up the great work!
I too like to set the steel wedges but I quit using a nail set years ago. Today I use a cold chisel. The chisel applies force across the width of the wedge and I like the result a little better.
Very nice restoration Cody, these old tools once touched by your grandfather, and now yourself and Jack will enjoy using them. And I'm sure your Grandfather will look down and smile ... :)
Never get bored of these great vid's Cody...I usually pico up a great piece of advice or two from every single one of them to use myself. Thank you for taking the time to pull each together as it greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Oh, as well, a huge congratulations on surpassing the 100k mark...well deserved!
Made my first mallet handle from scratch today with a knife and file. Been watching your videos for a while now and am glad to say that your tips have given me a really nice finish. Thanks :)
I grab old hammers with broken or missing handles at garage sales all the time. A great source for 'handle stock' is broken or weathered baseball bats. I'm not much of a carpenter, but I get some nice handles just using a drawknife and a spoke shave, and they have character :). Replacing handles is a job I save up for those bad days when I need something relaxing and satisfying to do. Thanks for the tip about boiled linseed oil. It's on my shopping list.
Some stuff, like Fiberglass handles seem so strong and amazing and unbreakable, but most stuff like that, once it breaks its over. This is a great video. Cool to watch.
From the very first time I watched one of your videos using boiled linseed oil, I have done so to protect my tool handles. Now I have learned one more valuable piece of information. Linseed oil the handle and wedges when installing a new handle. Thank you...
Its so awesome to see you making handles. It's one of my favourite type of videos, you can just see how great they "match" with the tools and you make them better than new :)
Yes, that hammer is beautiful! These are the best videos, I love your restoration videos... yes I always click the thumbs up, unless I occasionally click the thumbs down (Ooops) that is a rare event though! ... how many people agree that beauty can be found in a hammer, or an axe, a crosscut saw, home made bucking wedges, etc ... well I guess there are almost hundred thousand if your channel subs are a barometer for that sort of thing ... great stuff Cody, tonight was a catch up of the last 6 or so vids and was better than a movie ... and almost rivalled a good book! Thank you as always. Paul.
I think this might be my favorite restoration so far. There is just something about how beautiful yet simple that sledge came out that I just cant quite pin. Keep up the amazing work! and God bless you!
nice video ws. you are the one that got me into restoring old tools and building up my tool collection. thank you. ill have to show a few restorations..
I just bought me a GAMBLES ARTISAN TO-14 13-86 single bit ax today at a vendors mall for $20. Its in great shape, but I've gotta put me a good edge on it very soon. Great Video Cody as always.
An easy way to keep concave and convex straight is that concave is the one with the "hollow" or cave, ... get it? And the convex has the bump or sticks out. 100K subs is an awesome milestone, Cody. I'm very proud to be a part of WS.
I was trying to put a new handle on my old stepping hammer I used when I was a lineman for The Bell System and was having trouble with it fitting properly and so I went inside and Coogled how to do it and you showed up and I want to say I really enjoyed a pro doing it and now I can give my 50+ yr. old hammer a proper handle. Thanks so much for sharing your abilities with all us rookie handle replacers~! P>S> love the little rasp.
peace be with you Cody and your family,I have just finished looking back at your videos and you have imparted such a lot of educative information during the time you have been posting,you don't have to prove or justify yourself to anyone except the LORD,keep up the good work,regards Bill
I clicked like with out being asked to, just to let you know, my cousin had a broken axe handle and was going to chuck the axe, I knew he had all the tools so I got some hickory and fashioned a handle, it took me two weeks but It turned out serviceable. He can now split wood with it till he breaks it again. The axe head is a pretty good one, my guess my Uncle bought it in the 1940's. I think I will do better on the next one. Thanks for showing us how to do it.
Thanks for the videos, I have fixed a pitch fork and a spade shovel after watching your videos. I have a pile of shovel heads and farm tools that I will keep fixing.
boiled linseed oil (BLO) is my favorite friend next to Tung... after setting a tool head, i like to let the whole thing sit in a wide but narrow pail of BLO, that i keep handy. 2-3 days is good, but longer never seems to hurt. then suspend the tool over the bucket until dry. the wood soaks up nice, looks REALLY pretty later. never had an issue after that. i even leave the left over oil on the metal. protective. thanks for the video
i think the concaved portion on the handle, where you were filing is called contour. i've also seen one person linseed oil the hammer hear too. i think he used a mixed linseed oil. maybe one with a hardener in it.
Oh sweet, I've often wondered about putting linseed oil on handles before mounting the axe or hammer head on them. I don't recall you mentioning it before this time when you say you've just starting to do it.
When installing wedges My Grandfather always said to oil the sides and point with linseed oil but not the thick end till after you cut it off. Oil would go in the end grains and swell the wedge. Guess the same could be with the handle too.
Good video and timely in my case. I have to replace the handle on my father's 16lb sledge hammer, and because of your video's educating me on choosing a good handle I am finding it nearly impossible to find a suitable handle anywhere. Guess I'll have to have a go at making one of my own. Will have to be ash I'm afraid as hickory is as common as hen's teeth here.Thnx for the vids
I was watching you get ready to cut the wedge off after pounding it into the handle. I was thinking, why don't you use a sawsall...then I saw how well the hand saw worked. You really don't take any longer doing it by hand, and it does a terrific job as well. I think you're right, that does look more like a T on the hammer head, and did I notice your makers mark on the wedge as well? A nice little surprise for someone to find in another 60 or 80 years when they go to replace the handle on that same tool.
Sometimes it takes less time to cut or drill something by hand than grabbing the power tool to do the job. I have lost count how many times I have grabbed my cordless tools to find the battery dead or almost dead. I found a hand powered drill the other day so I could still drill holes when the batteries in my cordless drill are dead or just died. Hand tools and power tools each have their place as we both know... But what do you do if you have nothing but power tools and you have no power? :-(
You know there is one danger with using that big of hammer to start those wedges... instead of just hurting your thumb or finger nail you properly smash them so badly you can't think of a proper curse to use... I wounder how I know that tidbit... The joys of driving bearing races with a single jack and a large punch.
I've got an old sledge hammer that a friend loaned me and then he moved away, so I guess it's mine now. The handle is all taped with duct tape near the head. That would be a perfect candidate for what you just taught here. 🙂
When the hammer head was laying across the vice and you were hammering in the wedges, was the Handle against something solid like the floor so it wouldn't slip out of the head?
Another job well done Big C! You could have a career as a High School shop class teacher. You have a real knack for instruction plus you do it right. Thanks again for the hours, upon hours of instruction I have got from you. Keep on Keepin' on!
Nice handle. I would always oil the wedge. it also keep the wood in the eye swelled to keep it tighter. My grandfather used to dip the heads to all of his wooden handled tools.. He said it keeps the head from rusting and the handle tight.
Do you mind maybe making a clip of what setup you use to hold the handle in place as your hammering in and cutting the wedges? Not sure what your using? Looks like a bench vise, but not sure what size is good to use? Maybe its a wood vise? About to do my hammers soon! Thank you so much again.
Nitpicking here... The wedge slot is sawn and has width all the way to the bottom. The wedges typically have sharp points to get them started. Would they have better friction in the head if the sharp point were removed and replaced with a short taper to the width of the original saw kerf?
in eastern europe we say 'kava' for coffee, which helps to remember that a concave surface can be used for sipping coffee, but a convex surface cannot. :D
Cody, I can't help but notice you constantly have one or two purple nails from slugging yourself with a hammer. You're not alone, haha! As my Opa would say, it must be windy over there! Good stuff, brother, great video. Keep it up!
I'm a metalsmith, and my hammers are priceless. It's always good to find ways to restore or modify old ones that you can find here and there at yard sales and flea markets. And there's something about using a tool that has a long history...sometimes you almost feel like the tool has it's own memory and is happy to be back in hand. I'm going to wander through these videos to see what other tool tips I can use - thanks for posting!
Don't want to be a "word-Nazi" or anything, BUT the easy way to remember the difference between "concave" and "convex" is just simply to think of a CAVE going INto the ground. Look at a bowl, the inside is curved IN and so the curve is called "conCAVE".
Great video, Cody. Have a great time in Montana. Looking forward to the information which you will be learning and then passing onto your viewers!
I'm a carpenter by trade, and I guarantee the most used sledge hammers have handles cut down to 24". Love the channel.
Starting a big, all summer long, formwork/shuttering job tomorrow and putting a new handle on my 4lb sledge. been many years since I did this civil engineering stuff and been watching a few reminders of handle fitting. Yours is the simplest and best! Thanks and kind regards from North Wales!
The hammer turned out very well. I've never made and wedged a handle, but I think I can now do it after watching all your videos. Thanks for your effort and time.
I have an old hatchet from my grandfather that needs a handle and you are inspiring me to do it myself. Nice video.
I have several sledge hammers that I inherited from my dad. One is a four-pounder with a very small eye. I have replaced the handle a couple of time because I have to sand down the end a lot to make it fit. Now that I've been watching you, I know how to pick out handles, and to properly sand and shape the handle to fit.
I also have an eight-pounder that didn't have a handle when I got it. I accidentally picked one out with good grain orientation. Now I know what to look for.
Thanks, Cody.
I might leave for a while, but I always find my way back to these videos. A true treasure of modern simplicity. I appreciate all the skill that goes into making these.
TH-cam is showing me these old videos for some reason, and I really miss them
It's interesting...your comments towards the end of the video, because I have recently been out looking for vintage tools to restore after watching numerous videos from you. I am still waiting in the family line to get passed down some of the tools and equipment that have long been in the family....well as always impressive craftsmanship and quality in all that you do. Best of luck to you and your family and keep up the inspiring videos.
Great videos Great craftsmanship Great living homesteading I appreciate what you do for your viewers and also our country. Keeping our country beautiful is great and is something we have lost. helping our neighbors is something we have lost so it's really great what you do sir. Thank you hope you keep it up
Something not touched on, but it's important to cover is proper disposal or cleanup of cotton that's come into contact with boiled linseed oil. It's important that you safely dispose of any cotton rags that linseed oil comes into contact with. When linseed oil is exposed to air, it reacts with the oxygen molecules in an exothermic reaction that generates enough heat that if on or exposed to certain materials like cotton can combust. Either wash out the cloth or keep it in an airtight fire safe trash bin.
As a retired Arson Investigator, I can attest to what you say here. I can specifically recall three homes that burned due to the careless disposal of linseed oil soaked rags. I also had one guy who intentionally set his house on fire with linseed oiled rags set right next to a plastic gasoline container. Actually, he might have gotten away with it if he hadn't been so nervous during questioning.
I do lawn care for people an found an old hammer. I also found a broken shovel in the trash that someone tossed. Well, normally I wouldn't give them a second thought, but after watching all your handle replacement videos, Ive started keeping an eye out and will be replacing the handles on these tools.
Having my 1st cup on the treadmill, this morning, watching this vid.
Two things.
1. Surviving and thriving during "interesting times" fall more along the line of your vids, than a lot of the survival fantasy out there.
2. The humble, sincere, passionate spiritual tone of your vids reaches many.
I praise God for you obediently sharing your message.
Going to church today (don't yell, I know it's Sunday) with a smile on my face becasue of this vid.
May God richly bless you, your family, and your ministry...to His glory.
Very satisfying to watch. I just re handled an axe of unknown quality and age with a store bought handle just to save another tool. It was very enjoyable to fit the axe head and swing it for the first time into a fresh cut cedar round. I even happened to have the same four way rasp you have. Having all four of those surfaces available in one tool was very convenient. Thanks for the video.
Just want to thank you for sharing your time and knowledge with us.
Thank you. God bless.
Right there with you on the linseed oiling of the wedges. Never do one with out, saves the wedge curling and lets you pack it in there. Nice one Wrangler.
This video was very helpful. I just wish I had watched it yesterday. Whilst I can do most jobs, I tried to fit a new handle on a 10pound hammer head. And I must admit to making a total mess of it. this handle replacement is a dying skill. People all too easily throw the hammer head in the scrap and buy a new one. I am not beaten though, I have probably ruined a good Hickory handle that cost £7.99p. But I will buy another, save the handle to make wedges. And start again. I will master handle fitting. The throw away world we live in sickens me.
Richard Sandwell + What a winning attitude you have Richard. And the shortened hickory handle will still work on a lot of tools, or knives, or screwdrivers....Please bear with me, i don't seem to be able to throw anything away.
Doing my third axe re-handle the other day and the new bag of little metal step wedges said "oil before" on them and I just face palmed and thought, why haven't I been doing this the whole time! It was so much better.
Love your work as always, thanks for sharing with us :)
Cody , You really have me anticipating garage sale season! I can't wait to get my hands on a few old tools and give restoration a try. I am inspired! Thanks for all you have given us and continue to give. Through you, these skills can be passed down through our families as well as yours. Much appreciated.
Awesome Video! I have two new handles and a 8 and 12 pound heads. First time I'm doing this type of tool work. This is the best demonstration on how to replace the handles. Look forward to seeing your other videos. Thank You So Much!
It's kinda fun watching your new videos and then seeing a older one
i recently stumbled upon your channel while searching for knife sharpening, I've now been watching random videos for the past 2 days, id have to say you are insanely talented in everything I've seen you do. I'm far from a bush crafter or someone who lives on a homestead but boy do i want to after watching all these videos. good work!
I get so sentimental watching your videos my late grandfather use to like to do things the same way as you do and being a farmer in Australia he had to be proficient with so many trades , I just wish i was older so he could of passed on more knowledge too me. that's why what your doing wranglerstar is so important .Preserving knowledge and technique for years to come Thank You keep up the great videos
Excellent teacher you are. TYVM 😊😊
The hammer and wedges really looks nice Cody, I'm always impressed by your workmanship. Keep up the great work brother, I'm learning with every video. Thank you
Ahh Wranglerstar. You one wild and crazy guy you. ;)
Love the handmade handles and the restoration of old tools. I redid a garage sale hatchet for my oldest son for Christmas last year. He was so surprised he thought I bought him a brand new ax.
It is so good seeing someone that likes to restore old tools! Your handle vids are one of my favorite vids!
Nice video. Thanks for taking the time and sharing a tip or two. I like the BLO as an assembly lubricant; genius.
I finally replaced my two sledge hammer handles using the above clip. Didn't have a vice at the time but I tell you this video was a tremendous help. I was able to fix an old axe handle as well. I basically followed the video including using the linseed oil. Best of Health and keep up the great work!
I too like to set the steel wedges but I quit using a nail set years ago. Today I use a cold chisel. The chisel applies force across the width of the wedge and I like the result a little better.
Great video! Repairing and using good tools are truly a couple of the real pleasures of life! Thanks!
Very nice restoration Cody, these old tools once touched by your grandfather, and now yourself and Jack will enjoy using them. And I'm sure your Grandfather will look down and smile ... :)
Never get bored of these great vid's Cody...I usually pico up a great piece of advice or two from every single one of them to use myself.
Thank you for taking the time to pull each together as it greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Oh, as well, a huge congratulations on surpassing the 100k mark...well deserved!
Made my first mallet handle from scratch today with a knife and file. Been watching your videos for a while now and am glad to say that your tips have given me a really nice finish. Thanks :)
I grab old hammers with broken or missing handles at garage sales all the time. A great source for 'handle stock' is broken or weathered baseball bats. I'm not much of a carpenter, but I get some nice handles just using a drawknife and a spoke shave, and they have character :). Replacing handles is a job I save up for those bad days when I need something relaxing and satisfying to do.
Thanks for the tip about boiled linseed oil. It's on my shopping list.
Some stuff, like Fiberglass handles seem so strong and amazing and unbreakable, but most stuff like that, once it breaks its over. This is a great video. Cool to watch.
never had a great understanding of how to put a new handle on a tool. this video helped a lot
EXCELLENT!!
I have several ax, hatchets and sledges with no handles that I can now put handles in. Great video.
Awesome work as usual. No matter how many of these videos you do, I always think they're just enthralling!
Great video! I do appreciate old tools also. It is awesome to see them come back to life and serve their purpose again!
From the very first time I watched one of your videos using boiled linseed oil, I have done so to protect my tool handles. Now I have learned one more valuable piece of information. Linseed oil the handle and wedges when installing a new handle.
Thank you...
Its so awesome to see you making handles. It's one of my favourite type of videos, you can just see how great they "match" with the tools and you make them better than new :)
Yes, that hammer is beautiful! These are the best videos, I love your restoration videos... yes I always click the thumbs up, unless I occasionally click the thumbs down (Ooops) that is a rare event though! ... how many people agree that beauty can be found in a hammer, or an axe, a crosscut saw, home made bucking wedges, etc ... well I guess there are almost hundred thousand if your channel subs are a barometer for that sort of thing ... great stuff Cody, tonight was a catch up of the last 6 or so vids and was better than a movie ... and almost rivalled a good book! Thank you as always. Paul.
I'm learning Cody thanks to you. Also I'm feeling proud because have the same 4-way rasp. Use it to make pear wood hiking staffs.
I think this might be my favorite restoration so far. There is just something about how beautiful yet simple that sledge came out that I just cant quite pin. Keep up the amazing work! and God bless you!
Love the idea of the old axes for wedges. Thank you.
That hammerhead is probably more secure then Fort Knox.
nice video ws. you are the one that got me into restoring old tools and building up my tool collection. thank you. ill have to show a few restorations..
I just bought me a GAMBLES ARTISAN TO-14 13-86 single bit ax today at a vendors mall for $20. Its in great shape, but I've gotta put me a good edge on it very soon. Great Video Cody as always.
An easy way to keep concave and convex straight is that concave is the one with the "hollow" or cave, ... get it? And the convex has the bump or sticks out. 100K subs is an awesome milestone, Cody. I'm very proud to be a part of WS.
I was trying to put a new handle on my old stepping hammer I used when I was a lineman for The Bell System and was having trouble with it fitting properly and so I went inside and Coogled how to do it and you showed up and I want to say I really enjoyed a pro doing it and now I can give my 50+ yr. old hammer a proper handle. Thanks so much for sharing your abilities with all us rookie handle replacers~! P>S> love the little rasp.
Another great video with great tips, yet always unique. Hope that cold goes away before your trip.
Thanks for answering the question on how close to cut the top of the handle to the hammer head.
Good job on the linseed oil tip I’ve done this a few times now and thanks to you this is the only way I will do it from now on you rock man!!!
never thought replacing a handle would hold my attention till the end,good job.
Nice job Cody! It looks like a slanted "T" like the True Temper logo.
peace be with you Cody and your family,I have just finished looking back at your videos and you have imparted such a lot of educative information during the time you have been posting,you don't have to prove or justify yourself to anyone except the LORD,keep up the good work,regards Bill
I clicked like with out being asked to, just to let you know, my cousin had a broken axe handle and was going to chuck the axe, I knew he had all the tools so I got some hickory and fashioned a handle, it took me two weeks but It turned out serviceable. He can now split wood with it till he breaks it again. The axe head is a pretty good one, my guess my Uncle bought it in the 1940's. I think I will do better on the next one. Thanks for showing us how to do it.
Thanks for the videos, I have fixed a pitch fork and a spade shovel after watching your videos. I have a pile of shovel heads and farm tools that I will keep fixing.
The profile of that hammer head is beautiful!
Really great tool! Thanks Cody and enjoy the cross-cut saw class!
I have on old ATHA No. 6 sledge head of the same shape that I need to rehang. Thanks for the vid! I'm thinking about a pine tar finish for the handle.
boiled linseed oil (BLO) is my favorite friend next to Tung...
after setting a tool head, i like to let the whole thing sit in a wide but narrow pail of BLO, that i keep handy. 2-3 days is good, but longer never seems to hurt. then suspend the tool over the bucket until dry.
the wood soaks up nice, looks REALLY pretty later. never had an issue after that.
i even leave the left over oil on the metal. protective.
thanks for the video
Perfect video, I just found my grand dad's old 6 pound plumb. I'm excited to go make a handle and hang it.
Very nice love the tool restoration trying to find an axe head to restore myself
I have watched a few of your videos and you, Sir, are a star.
+Chaz Brashier Thank you. The star refers to a place :) mrsw
i think the concaved portion on the handle, where you were filing is called contour. i've also seen one person linseed oil the hammer hear too. i think he used a mixed linseed oil. maybe one with a hardener in it.
that hammer looks like just the right size!! great video.
Nine years and still relevant.
I like coating the wedges with glue, helps slide it in too. And yes I have had non-glued wedges fly out, haven't happened since I started with glue
You are awesome. Love watching and your expressions all natural. Continue your great work love it.
Oh sweet, I've often wondered about putting linseed oil on handles before mounting the axe or hammer head on them. I don't recall you mentioning it before this time when you say you've just starting to do it.
Hey Cody, bought a cross cut saw today at an old farm auction,, I placed a question about the saw in your Discussion section. Thanks TK
When installing wedges My Grandfather always said to oil the sides and point with linseed oil but not the thick end till after you cut it off. Oil would go in the end grains and swell the wedge. Guess the same could be with the handle too.
Good video and timely in my case. I have to replace the handle on my father's 16lb sledge hammer, and because of your video's educating me on choosing a good handle I am finding it nearly impossible to find a suitable handle anywhere. Guess I'll have to have a go at making one of my own. Will have to be ash I'm afraid as hickory is as common as hen's teeth here.Thnx for the vids
I was watching you get ready to cut the wedge off after pounding it into the handle. I was thinking, why don't you use a sawsall...then I saw how well the hand saw worked. You really don't take any longer doing it by hand, and it does a terrific job as well.
I think you're right, that does look more like a T on the hammer head, and did I notice your makers mark on the wedge as well? A nice little surprise for someone to find in another 60 or 80 years when they go to replace the handle on that same tool.
Sometimes it takes less time to cut or drill something by hand than grabbing the power tool to do the job. I have lost count how many times I have grabbed my cordless tools to find the battery dead or almost dead.
I found a hand powered drill the other day so I could still drill holes when the batteries in my cordless drill are dead or just died. Hand tools and power tools each have their place as we both know... But what do you do if you have nothing but power tools and you have no power? :-(
You know there is one danger with using that big of hammer to start those wedges... instead of just hurting your thumb or finger nail you properly smash them so badly you can't think of a proper curse to use...
I wounder how I know that tidbit... The joys of driving bearing races with a single jack and a large punch.
A tip for concave and convex is that something that is concave goes inwards like a cave so its cave for concave :)
Nice job on mounting that handle. I have to agree on the sporting event comment !
Great restoration video, Cody... what type of pocketknife did you use to cut the wedge with? 👍💯
I've got an old sledge hammer that a friend loaned me and then he moved away, so I guess it's mine now. The handle is all taped with duct tape near the head. That would be a perfect candidate for what you just taught here. 🙂
That was a real nice job on that handle!!
When the hammer head was laying across the vice and you were hammering in the wedges, was the Handle against something solid like the floor so it wouldn't slip out of the head?
Another job well done Big C! You could have a career as a High School shop class teacher. You have a real knack for instruction plus you do it right. Thanks again for the hours, upon hours of instruction I have got from you. Keep on Keepin' on!
A thing of beauty, sir. I learned something about safety after using my own grandfather's sledgehammer... and having the head fly off.
Nice handle. I would always oil the wedge. it also keep the wood in the eye swelled to keep it tighter. My grandfather used to dip the heads to all of his wooden handled tools.. He said it keeps the head from rusting and the handle tight.
These are my favourite type of videos of yours. Thank you for sharing!
Do you mind maybe making a clip of what setup you use to hold the handle in place as your hammering in and cutting the wedges? Not sure what your using? Looks like a bench vise, but not sure what size is good to use? Maybe its a wood vise? About to do my hammers soon! Thank you so much again.
I really appreciate these types of videos. Thank you.
Nitpicking here...
The wedge slot is sawn and has width all the way to the bottom. The wedges typically have sharp points to get them started. Would they have better friction in the head if the sharp point were removed and replaced with a short taper to the width of the original saw kerf?
A GREAT help! Thanks so much from Denmark, Europe, All best Peter
in eastern europe we say 'kava' for coffee, which helps to remember that a concave surface can be used for sipping coffee, but a convex surface cannot. :D
It came out great, a tool to look at with pride
I learn more from you in one day than in any amount of time in school
Absolutely great looking hammer!
great vid- a once common skill that few have any knowledge of any more- well done!
Cody, I can't help but notice you constantly have one or two purple nails from slugging yourself with a hammer. You're not alone, haha! As my Opa would say, it must be windy over there!
Good stuff, brother, great video. Keep it up!
Nice job, out to the shop I go! And don't worry about the terminology, it's the thought that counts.
That turned out awesome!
Question: what was being clamped while wedges were driven into handle? Exactly how? Thanks, very helpful!