Crack in sledge hammer head
- Thread starter sld961
- Start date
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Me... drop some epoxy in it
You... don't worry bout it
You... don't worry bout it
rlitman
Well-known member
A crack there is not uncommon, but that seems like an awful big gap around the handle. Is the head loose?
this
Thanks for the quick replies. Glad to hear that it's not an issue. I'll probably drop some epoxy in there, just because.
The top of the hole in the head is tapered, so it looks like a big gap at the top, but it's rock solid.
Not bad for a $18 hammer. It jumped up to $90 after I bought it on Amazon.
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The top of the hole in the head is tapered, so it looks like a big gap at the top, but it's rock solid.
Not bad for a $18 hammer. It jumped up to $90 after I bought it on Amazon.
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That's what I was thinking too. Also, that isn't the right way to install the step wedges. There should have been a wood wedge driven in first, then a metal step wedge at 90* to the wood wedge.
Lack of a wood wedge to spread the top (flush) would make sense of the pic. The handle would have been rough hewed and cut to allow a wood wedes; so it looks too narrow when the wedge is missing. It probably feels tight because the bottom geometry is correct.
If the above is true, I have a hard time believing the handle will stay tight.
Williams has a lifetime warranty so they will probably cover the fix, but the OP would be out postage. Not sure that's much of a cost savings given its a sledge.
The Amazon return policy would probably cover that, but you'd need to document its OEM defect..
Personally, I would send a PIC to Williams (at snap on industrial brands CS email) and confirm if the handle is correctly assembled and within their spec. If they say its OK, I would just keep it and use it.
If they idenctify a mis-construction, I would call amazon and have the item returned with postage on Amazon, or assuming it was "new" and not a warehouse return, have them send you one for the same price on an exchange.
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I just removed all the stickers and put some epoxy on the crack, so returning it to Amazon is out. I had contacted them initially, but they won't have any more in stock for a month or two. It was sold by Amazon, LLC, and not Warehouse Deals, so I can't imagine that it isn't assembled the way it's supposed to be from Williams. I guess I'll have to wait and see if it holds up. Worst case is I'll have to replace the handle.
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A bit late maybe but if any of my tools with a wooden handle get a bit loose i soak them in a tub of teak oil, the wood expands and tightens the fit. Makes the handle last too.
Takes about a day to dry fully but good for months if not years.
Takes about a day to dry fully but good for months if not years.
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
I see you already took steps to solidify the handle, but my 2 cents is I drive a few wood screws into the top of the handle and don't worry about it. The epoxy is a good idea to keep it from collapsing but I would have made sure it was completely spread out then filled it. Either way I'm sure you're fine.
Exactly. It looks like the handle wasn't sized properly to start with, then they omitted the wood wedge and just went straight to the step wedge.
My Old Tools
Well-known member
Somebody bought a new sledge hammer? I've never even seen a new one.
Exceller8
Well-known member
frankthezapper
Well-known member
And my blood temperature rose a couple of degrees when I read that suggestion of "a couple of wood screws" That's the worst redneck hillbilly fix I've heard; I would have cut some fine hardwood wedges, slathered them in epoxy and driven them into the voids, let the epoxy set and then trimmed them flush. I will second the comment about a new sledge, though, mine all come from the recycling shop at the rubbish tip.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Doesn't seem like a wood handle and a sledge hammer head is a good combination. I've had a fiberglass handle sledge hammer for several years and it seems indestructible.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Yeah, seems they forgot the wood wedge or decided to shortcut the process by using a fat steel one...
Me personally, I would just mix up some epoxy and drizzle it all in there to fill up as much as possible and then sand it flush if need be.
If it ever gets loose, you can cut the head and re-fit it properly taking your time for a good fit.
I buy hammers & sledges at estate sales all the time... Finding cheap replacement handles on the other hand is the real hunt...
Me personally, I would just mix up some epoxy and drizzle it all in there to fill up as much as possible and then sand it flush if need be.
If it ever gets loose, you can cut the head and re-fit it properly taking your time for a good fit.
I buy hammers & sledges at estate sales all the time... Finding cheap replacement handles on the other hand is the real hunt...
Another option is BLO. I had a vintage Heller hammer with a loose head. I used a punch to drive in the steel wedge a bit more, then soaked the end in BLO for a couple of days. Good and tight now.
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
On things like pitchforks, shovels and hoes, just stand them in water for a day or so.
The wood will swell up and tighten things up.
Probably won't do this sledge much good though.
The wood will swell up and tighten things up.
Probably won't do this sledge much good though.
davethorik
Well-known member
I've done this with poor results. The wood swells but then shrinks when the water evaporates. I've had better luck with oil.
I looked into this and saw people suggest BLO. It soaks in, swells the wood, then hardens.
I've seen teak oil suggested too.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Hmmm.... Now it looks like I have a use for the 5 gallons of BLO I got for free at an estate sale! LOL
They still sell made in USA sledgehammers at Menard's with wood handles. They are 8lb, not 12lb, though.