Proto body hammer handle replacement.

[cmandp]

I have a Proto 1424 body hammer in need of a replacement handle. The handle on it now is red lacquer and split down the grain; in a word it doesn't seem to be original. I would very much like to find a proper replacement, at least an octogon shaped handle if not a real Proto handle (octogonal only where you grip with green lacquer). Length is around 12".

This ebay listing has good pictures of the handle for those who don't know. One can also see the shape of the eye in the head.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[camarotoolman]

Whittle out one your self! Google handle manufactures, I know there are several in the southeast.

 

[Syndicate]

Just buy the hammer you have posted a link too! You would have to find some old guy or old garage in the hills IMO to find that handle. I am pretty sure that you could contact Stanley or MAC TOOLS and figure out a good fix. Those handles are very unique and specific to that model, meaning PROTO no longer makes those. You maaaayyyybe could find a PROTO dealer online who may have old NOS but chances are gonna be slim I would think. If you have the type of hammers you linked too, I would hang on to them. Very old and tough, from the old school of manufacturing, not the chinese stuff seen today by many of the truck brands.

 

[Outlawmws]

Snap-On does, (or did) sell octagon handles virtually identical to the original Plvmb/Proto handles, other than the famous green paint they used on the grip section.

 

[Syndicate]

Snap-On does, (or did) sell octagon handles virtually identical to the original Plvmb/Proto handles, other than the famous green paint they used on the grip section.

I sure would like to see a pic. I know the brown wood handles were kind of similar, but I thought the OP was looking for OEM for Proto. But a pic of the snappy sure would be nice so we all could see it. Thank you.

 

[senlow]

A Proto octagonal handle is going to be tough to find. I believe that current Mac/Stanley body hammers handles have an oval cross section. I think that your best bet will be to buy either Snap-on or Peddinghaus handles. Both have an octagonal cross section. Don't forget to paint the grip area green.

 

[cmandp]

Snap-On does, (or did) sell octagon handles virtually identical to the original Plvmb/Proto handles, other than the famous green paint they used on the grip section.

Great suggestion they do look the same, but yikes at those prices
For that price it would literally hurt to even think about sanding the finish off that handle.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=&Group_ID=675753&store=snapon-store

I was wondering if I could get a Proto replacement handle but I guess that's not happening. Seems a tinners or tack hammer handle from FrankLee's link would be suitable to modify.

 

[vssjim]

Mac Stanley body hammers are now Martin tools products, the last octagonal hammer handle I bought was from Dixie hammer handle company but I have no idea were they are made ie the town as I can't find any info about them on the web. I bought alot of Dixie handles to fix hammers for myself and other people over the years and I would by more but have not seen them in a whale anywhere. Maybe somebody knows where they are or if they still are in business but they made nice handlles in oval and octaganal shapes.

 

[Outlawmws]

I sure would like to see a pic. I know the brown wood handles were kind of similar, but I thought the OP was looking for OEM for Proto. But a pic of the snappy sure would be nice so we all could see it. Thank you.

Three SO handles (one in a Proto head) and one Proto for comparison.

Note that different heads have different size eyes, so get the handle that fits your Heads eye properly.

 

[JSBriggs]

This is a good read for restoring body hammers. He uses Snap-on handles on both Snap-on and Proto heads.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94925

-Jeff

 

[BWS]

We make our own "flats" on handles using store bought ovals.

Either an edge sander or one of the vert's.Barely lay them out anymore.....its that fast.I'd lay it out if it needed to be an exact replication.But once you've done a few,they're pretty darn easy.

We do the front and back first,then sides...then connect-a-dot,doing the angle'd sections.Edge sander being the prefer'd pce of equip.Its done on the nose of sander.

The thing about the vert belt sander/grinders is....not so much for the handles but....They are our go-to machine for "crowning" a hammer face.Again,it takes some practice but do a cpl and it gets pretty easy.This is started on the hard side(platen side)....but only to get the basic shape.Then we switch to the softside or backside of belt to get it perfect.

Different "flats" and different "crowns" depending on your likes/dislikes and the job at hand.Just sayin,thats how we do them here.

 

[atgelectronics]

For hammer, i want to talk about the news about safety hammers and Beijing downpour, you know safety hammers selling out after Beijing downpour. No matter what kind of the hammer, the first thing is that can help us survive treacherous wether.

 

[nine4gmc]

Three SO handles (one in a Proto head) and one Proto for comparison.

Note that different heads have different size eyes, so get the handle that fits your Heads eye properly.

Nice hammers Outlaw, you must have quite the collection. Would you mind starting a Hammer and Dollie thread? I would start it but I only have a set of Craftsman, set of HF, and a antique dollie and I'm always looking for more. I would love to see what you, and others have in the body hammer varieties.

to the op, I think I would make one before I spent that much $ on a Snap On replacement handle. jmo.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

The Proto body hammer in the picture with the green handle is just like the one I bought at the flea market 2 weeks ago. What years were they made ? I just dug mine out. The handle is 12-3/4 OL. Green paint is about 50% gone. The head has some black paint still showing. Head is marked PROTO 1428 U.S.A. It does feel good in the hand. Probably give it to the grand kids to drive nails in tree stumps and then leave out in the yard so I can run over it with the lawn mower LOL.


Gort.

 

[jabberwoki]

Get in touch with hammer1963 he is a master hammer restorer and handle maker!

 

[Outlawmws]

The Proto body hammer in the picture with the green handle is just like the one I bought at the flea market 2 weeks ago. What years were they made ? I just dug mine out. The handle is 12-3/4 OL. Green paint is about 50% gone. The head has some black paint still showing. Head is marked PROTO 1428 U.S.A. It does feel good in the hand. Probably give it to the grand kids to drive nails in tree stumps and then leave out in the yard so I can run over it with the lawn mower LOL.


Gort.

Find a $1 hammer at a yard sale for the grand kids...

They made those hammers forever, from the Plomb days through Proto and to not too many years ago I believe. I have 2 1424's one Plvmp one Proto, a Proto 1427, and un,marked 1427, (miss-mark, very early Plomb, or maybe a lawsuit hammer? ) and two Proto 1428's as in the picture.

 

[catsteve]

close?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/38023126...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1643wt_1180

 

[catsteve]

or

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NOS-PROT...otive_Tools&hash=item3379e802ee#ht_500wt_1413

if you find a good source post it up. i could use a few for some plomb hammer heads

regards

 

[ZRX61]

Dagger Tools sell octagonal handles, Cheap enough, but shipping will almost double the bill.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice hammers Outlaw, you must have quite the collection. Would you mind starting a Hammer and Dollie thread? I would start it but I only have a set of Craftsman, set of HF, and a antique dollie and I'm always looking for more. I would love to see what you, and others have in the body hammer varieties.

to the op, I think I would make one before I spent that much $ on a Snap On replacement handle. jmo.

It's not specifically a Hammer and Dollie thread, but I already started one called "It's Hammer Time!"

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143435

And it has most of my hammers in it. I need to update, I've added some since that thread started.

Then there are the Tool box thread posts earlier this spring when I devoted 7 of 8 drawers of a Kennedy bottom to my hammers to get them out of the several buckets they lived in... (still not all of them, the body hammers and (most) of the dollies are in another drawer, and I've now outgrown that and there are more in with the sheet metal tools...) Last count (I think it's accurst) is 116 hammers of one type/size or another. If we count hatchets axes and sledges, its 189, plus 11 dollies. (Wow, I'm at 200, or do we count dollies as anvils...

 

[Provincial]

Then there are the Tool box thread posts earlier this spring when I devoted 7 of 8 drawers of a Kennedy bottom to my hammers to get them out of the several buckets they lived in... (still not all of them, the body hammers and (most) of the dollies are in another drawer, and I've now outgrown that and there are more in with the sheet metal tools...) Last count (I think it's accurst) is 116 hammers of one type/size or another. If we count hatchets axes and sledges, its 189, plus 11 dollies. (Wow, I'm at 200, or do we count dollies as anvils...

You, sir, have a problem.

Not enough storage.

 

[Outlawmws]

You, sir, have a problem.

Not enough storage.

True statement!

 

[Syndicate]

Three SO handles (one in a Proto head) and one Proto for comparison.

Note that different heads have different size eyes, so get the handle that fits your Heads eye properly.

Thank you for posting the differences

This is a good read for restoring body hammers. He uses Snap-on handles on both Snap-on and Proto heads.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94925

-Jeff

I will take a look. And again, thank you for posting so all could see

 

[kidatari]

This thread is awesome. I have a few SnapOn/Proto body hammers, and several need to be re-handled. Thanks for the info.

 

[cmandp]

I found a company called Link Handle that makes various types ou of ash or hickory (In the US too!). I think I'm jsu going to order a 12" ball peen handle ( has the right eye size, 7/16 X 3/4) and shape it to look like a Proto. Thank you guys for taking the time to respond; please continue posting pictures/ info/ etc!

 

[SLOCOBRAR]

i bought a dozen new small proto handles a couple years ago,some outfit in texas iirc. send me your add. and i'll mail one to fit your body ham. i'll never live long enough to use all of these

 

[Syndicate]

i bought a dozen new small proto handles a couple years ago,some outfit in texas iirc. send me your add. and i'll mail one to fit your body ham. i'll never live long enough to use all of these

That sir, is a classy thing to do! My hat is tipped your way!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk that iTyped with my ****** iThumbs

 

[cmandp]

i bought a dozen new small proto handles a couple years ago,some outfit in texas iirc. send me your add. and i'll mail one to fit your body ham. i'll never live long enough to use all of these

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond, seems I forgot about this thread. If you have an actual Proto handle that will fit I would gladly take you up on that offer if it still stands. I will PM you later today. Oh and thank you.