Cutting down a sledge hammer

[lostsoul65]

How can I cut my long handle sledge hammer and make it a short handle?

 

[Majordisorder]

A saw?

 

[RivennHewn]

Subscribed

 

[thickhead]

A saw worked perfectly on mine, so Majordisorder's suspicion is well founded.

 

[pendragon1998]

Take a block plane and start at the distal end of the handle. Taking fine, even shavings, work down to the desired length.

 

[plow]

I used a Dremel to shorten mine. Be Careful though, I cut it off too short and had to buy a replacement handle an start over.

 

[freelantz]

Better hire this job out. I know of a local beaver that takes on work like this. Want his contact info?

 

[Trucky]

Get two 5 gal buckets, place them upside down about the length of the handle apart. Lay the hammer over both, forming a sort of a bridge. Then jump on it. Hard. A few times, even. This might take a few tries, or a few hundred thousand if it's fiberglass.

 

[Mike Miller]

Let me use it to drive a wedge in to a fire wood round, then just dress the broken pieces to the desired length.

 

[zkling]

I wouldn't cut it, you would be better off to compress the handle to increase it's density and strength. Any good hardware store should have a hammer handle shrinker.

 

[ZRX61]

I can't offer any help. Mine was pre-shortened before I got it (15in/10lb)

 

[marinusdees]

Are you shitting me???

 

[ddawg16]

You will need a permit to perform the desired work.

Those inspectors actually look for those things.

 

[ddawg16]

Are you shitting me???

Dude....we need a good laugh now and then......who could pass up on this one.

 

[-Brent-]

If you follow the 1.125 handle inches for every 1 pound formula, you should be good. As well, be sure to register it with the short handled sledge hammer registry @ www.SHSHR.com.

 

[RivennHewn]

Ibtl!!!!

 

[DIC]

Who says size don't matter

 

[1/2 Cup]

If you follow the 1.125 handle inches for every 1 pound formula, you should be good. As well, be sure to register it with the short handled sledge hammer registry @ www.SHSHR.com.

 

[coljar]

I asked an engineer here at the plant how he would suggest the task be performed. In true engineer fashion, he said to cut the other end.

 

[Justanoldguy]

OK how has been answered now WHY?

 

[bazzateer]

It's not the length that matters, it's the girth!

 

[Kaasdief]

This is not as simple. Get the balance point, then subtract half the length of inverted radius. Make a peanut and jelly sandwich..also open a beer. Back to the hammer, use a protractor and mark the cut off point from the base of square of the root. You are welcome to bring Pythagoras into the action at this time. I can only help to obtain the desired cut off point, don't know how to get through the handle thingy bit. This is not easy, but a lot of people are very interested in this and are rooting for you.

 

[Lippyp]

I think you need to buy a used hammer lathe from craigslist, spend several years messing up scrap hammers from yard sales until you've perfected the techniques and then turn down your final handle to the desired length.

 

[koditten]

I don't think it would be good to shorten it. It might grow up and suffer from low self asteem.

If it is acting erradicly and seems to be extra hyper, maybe get a script for some ridalyn.

We have to protect and coddle our younger hammers, sledges and mauls. They are our future you know.

No matter what size, shape and color, they must be loved.

 

[mackrmnn]

This link should be helpful:

Shortening a hammer handle

 

[koditten]

Bwahaaaa!

 

[superdutymike27]

I cut mine twice and it's still too short?

 

[OccupantRJ]

OK how has been answered now WHY?

They work much better in close quarters for pounding things like large pins and beating metal into submission during heavy machinery repair. Also easier to aim hits accurately. My three are cut to several different lengths for this purpose. I use a fine tooth hacksaw to keep splintering to a minumum, then deburr with a sanding block.

Now, the grass in my yard is getting tall. Should I use Wiss or Fiskars?

 

[Big Bad Dad]

The proper way would be to turn it down while in a lathe to get the **** end perfectly square with the length of the handle. A saw might cut it a little crooked......

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I cut one down then used a round rasp to notch the front and back edge for a nice grip. A quick sanding cleaned up the edges (no splinters). Finished with a coat of spray poly.
After helping me with a project a friend of mine went home and "finished" cutting down one he had been using for years.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

After removing the unwanted length I used a round rasp to notch the corners for a better grip. A quick sanding to soften the cut edges and finished with some spray poly.
After helping me n a project a friend went home and finished cutting down one he'd been using for years.

 

[nehog]

I used a Dremel to shorten mine. Be Careful though, I cut it off too short and had to buy a replacement handle an start over.

Damn it Plow, didn't they teach you anything? When you cut too short, you just cut some off the other end to make it longer!

 

[wnstwolf]

See this is what all you guys with out Mills and Lathes are missing out on. The new question is how to get the hammer end into the chuck safely? will need to mill up a precise jig to hold it..

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think the new member has been given enough "information."