Question about putting on a new shovel handle

[Mr. Wonderful]

I recently found this super heavy duty shovel head at a garage sale. My question is, do I just drive the handle into the socket? Or shave it to fit as is? I’m assuming the handle is split back there to allow for a better fit. I’ve never rehandled a shovel so any advice would be welcome. The second picture shows how far the handle fits now.

 

[driftpin]

How I've done it is to turn the handle down to allow the wood end to be just-above the spade. Then install the rivet, and it should be a slight interference-fit. Peen it over.

 

[The Cobbler]

I've replaced some handles. I fit them as good as I can with a hand plane and sanding . you can tell where you need to shave material by twisting the handle in the neck of the shovel . once I'm satisfied with the fit, I mix up some epoxy , smear it on the handle and tap the **** end of the handle on the ground with the shovel attached to drive it on tight .
let it set up, then drill for the rivet .
drill into one side a bit , say 1/4" . line up a pin in a vice (same size as the drill hole ) with a bit in your drill press. drop the partially drilled hole over that pin. line up the other side & drill it all the way thru . insert rivet

 

[Beerhippie]

Sand/shave/grind it down to a tight, friction fit. Hammering it into the socket will just expand the socket--permanently. Shovel sockets aren't spring-steel.

Excellent choice of shovel heads. I'm an old-school True Temper guy myself, but that Bully isn't second best.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Sand/shave/grind it down to a tight, friction fit. Hammering it into the socket will just expand the socket--permanently. Shovel sockets aren't spring-steel.

Excellent choice of shovel heads. I'm an old-school True Temper guy myself, but that Bully isn't second best.

Ok thanks for the insight! I could tell by the weight and the welded gusset on the back that this wasn’t an ordinary shovel. For $4 I couldn’t pass it up. With the handle I’m still under $25 for the whole thing. Not bad considering what Chinese stuff is going for. I’ll sand the handle clean and use blo as well.

 

[Beerhippie]

For comparison, here's the back of my favorite, TT #2 Spade:



Same idea, different execution. I've broken a few shovels without the reinforcement right at the base of the socket.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Driftpin has it - drive it in and put a soft rivet in it and peen the rivet over.
I've never used glue on a shovel.
My bow rake on the other hand, had to be epoxied and riveted to keep the head on. (I'm not easy on tools.)

Funny you've mentioned the price twice.
I paid $4.00 for my made-in-China shovel at the local K-Mart. (how long ago was that?)(and it was years before K-Mart closed!)
I've replace the handle on it, but the head is still in great shape. Go figure.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

This on has quite a bit of metal added to it.

 

[lilredex]

I did a piece on those shovel handles a while back. You can see it here.

Shovel Handle Repair

Shovel Handle Repair: Many useful tools get discarded because the handle gets broken off through hard work or abuse, and the owner cannot or will not complete the repair. This solid back, round bottom shovel was rescued from the garbage, looking all rusty, with a broke…

www.instructables.com

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I did a piece on those shovel handles a while back. You can see it here.

Shovel Handle Repair

Shovel Handle Repair: Many useful tools get discarded because the handle gets broken off through hard work or abuse, and the owner cannot or will not complete the repair. This solid back, round bottom shovel was rescued from the garbage, looking all rusty, with a broke…

www.instructables.com

Ok thanks I will check that out!

 

[RTM]

Sand/shave/grind it down to a tight, friction fit. Hammering it into the socket will just expand the socket--permanently. Shovel sockets aren't spring-steel

I'm in this camp also. I like the end of the socket to hit the shoulder on the handle, but only drive it 1/8" or so . Saves wear on the river.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I've replaced some handles. I fit them as good as I can with a hand plane and sanding . you can tell where you need to shave material by twisting the handle in the neck of the shovel . once I'm satisfied with the fit, I mix up some epoxy , smear it on the handle and tap the **** end of the handle on the ground with the shovel attached to drive it on tight .
let it set up, then drill for the rivet .
drill into one side a bit , say 1/4" . line up a pin in a vice (same size as the drill hole ) with a bit in your drill press. drop the partially drilled hole over that pin. line up the other side & drill it all the way thru . insert rivet

Thanks for this tip on drilling the rivets. I didn’t even consider it might be difficult to line up in one shot. This technique worked perfectly. You saved me some headache for sure.

Thanks again!

 

[jhendric]

Man, I thought I was the only one who replaces tool handles...now that they cost nearly as much as a whole new tool!

 

[lilredex]

Man, I thought I was the only one who replaces tool handles...now that they cost nearly as much as a whole new tool!

It helps when you have the broken off handle.....just makes them a lttle shorter. My first handle project was a Blue point given to me in 1956. Still going strong.

 

[RTM]

Man, I thought I was the only one who replaces tool handles...now that they cost nearly as much as a whole new tool!

House handle dot com

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I want to say the handle I bought was about $16+tax at my local HD. US made as well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've only replaced one shovel handle that I can remember. It was for a round/pointed shovel head I spotted laying in the road. ( can you imagine the destruction running over it ?)

I made sure the handle fit tight, drilled and through bolted it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I stand corrected, I just looked a bit ago.

New handle and two rivets.