Hammer handle grain correct? (ahem..Outlaw)

[redwrench60]

Before I install what do the hammer nuts say? Pass or fail.

 

[reptilezs]

incorrect

 

[Outlawmws]

If it's a hammer you use mostly by hammering with the side of the hammer, it's perfect!

 

[phansen39]

Ok so some of us need to know. What is wrong with that handle. Grain looks very straight

 

[woody 73]

incorrect

What are you seeing wrong from the pictures?

 

[reptilezs]

the grain orientation is more likely to split from use

 

[metaleltr]

Looking at the cross section of the grain the lines should be parallel to the axis of the force exerted on the tool. In the case of a hammer it should be parallel to the head of the hammer.

 

[woody 73]

I was taught in shop class that the most Durable hammer handle has the grain parallel to the hammer head.

 

[lilredex]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140141

 

[Man of Many Vices]

I agree with the parallel grain theory. I also believe in using what one has. I picked up a bunch of hammer handles from Ace Hdwe -- same exact labels -- for $3.50 each. I've been teaching myself how to rehandle hammer heads, and these are perfect for that purpose. The misoriented grain, combined with my amateurish skills will likely lead to early handle failure, but that may be years from now.

 

[andywander]

It seems that the answer may vary, For instance, this site claims that hitting on the face of the grain(instead of on the edge) ois stronger, but that for a baseball bat made of ash, the danger of ring separation is greater with face=grain hits.

I wonder how that translates to hammer handles?

http://www.woodbat.org/

 

[onewaydave]

May not be everybody's, but my opinion is

Which can be found in post 137 of Outlaws thread on hammers,

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2512065&highlight=onewaydave#post2512065

Dave.

 

[KEH]

What onewaydave said.

However, in the op's pics, the handle is straight, which is at least equally inportant as the grain orientation.

This post should be a reminder to carefully check replacement handles that you are buying.

KEH

 

[coolreed]

It's like when you line up the label of your baseball bat before you swing.

Where was that handle made?

 

[uniballer]

WOW, never knew this. Thanks to all who teaches me this. There is a guy who sells hammer handle of all sizes for 1$, will look in the morning to see how his are made.

 

[redwrench60]

Since I had the day off (rare) I went all the way into town to a hardware store that stocks handles of all types but this was the only brick hammer handle left. Knowing it isn't perfect and it's not going on a sledge I decided to get it anyway instead of leaving empty handed. As someone said it's "what I have". That said should I use it or return it? It was made in USA and reasonably priced.

 

[Hammell]

What has been posted already is true. A handle which grains go in the direction of the swing is correct, slightly diagonal is ok too, but cross is bad. What I do with all my wooden hammesr, sledges, and axes is to tape them aswell, some around the top, just under the head and some at the bottom an inch or two, below the end. This helps to reduce vibration which leads to cracking. Summed up, it gives the handle longer life. The tape just under the head of the hammer also helps protect the wood handle from glancing blows, misses. Not that that ever happens...

 

[camarotoolman]

Next time I go to handle factory I will take some pics and post.

 

[JASTECH]

I too have learned from this thread, Thanks to Outlaw and others. Now I will need to check the sledge hammer handle I bought awhile back and not installed.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I had a replacement blue point handle for a hammer. Had the exact same looking grain and it split within a month of not really beating on it. Not a single blemish on the handle just split top to bottom almost in the center from direct hits.

 

[otis66]

Ok so some of us need to know. What is wrong with that handle. Grain looks very straight

The grain is wrong. This handle will brake very easy. Think of a wooden baseball bat. You want the lable of the bat to be facing up so you can see it.

 

[ejkuhl]

Thanks to a different earlier post I found on here, I was recently in the hardware store sorting through a pile of handles for a 2 pound sledge. I would have never known. Thanks GJ.

edit: now I remember it was the Outlawmws 48oz ball peen thread