Fixing an Estwing Hammer?

[my68spit]

Hey guys. I have had this old hammer from back when I was doing general contracting work back in college. I never knew what kind it was until recently. I always assumed it was a junker since some of the rings that are stacked on top of each other were missing. But now I know it's an Estwing and it is apparently missing one of the leather rings.

Has anyone tried fixing one of these? Is it possible? The rings are all held in place at the bottom with a metal plate and solid rivets.

How about cleaning them up to bring out the color of the leather again? This thing is blackened from years of use and I think it would be neat to have it back to a leather looking handle?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Would help to have a picture or at least a model number and weight size (16 oz, 24 oz, etc.) so we can determine age and construction.

I re-handle hammers all the time.

Not a difficult job but takes a little time.

Fixing one that needs some "maintainence" , espceially with parts that may be NLA or more natural like formed leather with hand peened rivets can be a little more involved.

 

[willyk57]

Here is a post detailing the full Estwing Hammer Handle replacement.

http://www.damnyak.ca/2012/02/estwing-hammer-rebuild.html
or
http://fieldnotesbrand.com/2012/02/29/hammer-time/

Hope this helps. It will be great to see whatever you come up with.

Willyk57

 

[d.mcfarland]

There is a YouTube video that shows how the leather Estwing hammers are made. Check it out and it may give you ideas.

 

[my68spit]

Would help to have a picture or at least a model number and weight size (16 oz, 24 oz, etc.) so we can determine age and construction.

I re-handle hammers all the time.

Not a difficult job but takes a little time.

Fixing one that needs some "maintainence" , espceially with parts that may be NLA or more natural like formed leather with hand peened rivets can be a little more involved.

Thanks for the quick response. I will try to get a picture of it tonight. Thinking about it now, I think it's the top plastic shims that are missing. I think it's a 16 oz.

It looks like this one, but without the 2 white rings at the top. Ebay Hammer

 

[my68spit]

Here is a post detailing the full Estwing Hammer Handle replacement.

http://www.damnyak.ca/2012/02/estwing-hammer-rebuild.html
or
http://fieldnotesbrand.com/2012/02/29/hammer-time/

Hope this helps. It will be great to see whatever you come up with.

Willyk57

Thanks. I will look through those and see what ends up being a viable option.

There is a YouTube video that shows how the leather Estwing hammers are made. Check it out and it may give you ideas.

I saw that one. Pretty cool, but unfortunately I don't have thier factory available to me.

 

[Midman914]

Hope this helps. For the leather pieces try some of the knife making suppliers online, as this is pretty much the same process. You might just find the correct leather shape already stamped out, just needing to be shaped once installed. Also look at Tandy leather supply online. They will probably be able to help you out too. Good luck with your project and don't forget to document your progress and finished product. We would love to see it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Doesn't Eastwing sell replacement rings?

 

[The Copilot]

Doesn't Eastwing sell replacement rings?

Nope, and they won't do any repair work on their leather handled hammers either - even if you offer to pay. Something about the liability of repairing striking tools...

 

[my68spit]

Well i was able to get some pictures of the hammer in question this weekend. it looks like someone already tried fixing it once when the top plastic rings came out. A majority of the leather rings on the upper portion of the handle are held together with some sort of adhesive. The bottom black plastic ring is missing and that may be the only one I would need to fill in to make the grip tight again.

Still debating on how to proceed. I may take it over to a shoe repair guy near me and see what he has to say about it.

Thanks again for all the input thus far.

 

[nine4gmc]

cut a notch out of a piece of wood/plastic big enough to go around the inner handle and thick enough to fill the gap tightly. Like a C shape, then cut another piece that will fill the small gap in the C shape, sand the outer to the size/shape of the leather handle, lightly sand the whole handle to smooth over then finish with whatever they recommend.