Restoring Tools
- Thread starter Mr. Tool
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Great example of a dedicated fellow making something good looking and quite useful out of a pile of pieces on the way to being melted down.
Many will question the number of hours spent achieving that goal compared with just buying 4 new hammers. To me, it’s the mental satisfaction somebody gets out of the whole process. Plus, having them on display there above his workbench gives him the opportunity to every day glance at them and proudly say to himself “yeah, I DID that”.
Many will question the number of hours spent achieving that goal compared with just buying 4 new hammers. To me, it’s the mental satisfaction somebody gets out of the whole process. Plus, having them on display there above his workbench gives him the opportunity to every day glance at them and proudly say to himself “yeah, I DID that”.
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Keep in mind that tools today are not made with the same quality, durability and high standards as those that were made in the U.S.A years ago, plus the fact that in present modern day, many tools are not even made in the U.S.A. any more either.
There is always the option of just going out and buying a new cheap-A$$ hammer, shovel or drill, etc....but more than 95% are made in either China or India, etc....or some other Asian or third-world country.
So yes, it does pay to have certain tools restored for continued use years afterward.
Just my $0.02
There is always the option of just going out and buying a new cheap-A$$ hammer, shovel or drill, etc....but more than 95% are made in either China or India, etc....or some other Asian or third-world country.
So yes, it does pay to have certain tools restored for continued use years afterward.
Just my $0.02
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I don’t question it at all. He spent a reasonable amount of time creating something better than he could buy in a store. The result was terrific. The wood was prettier than any mass market tool company would ever use.
I can’t imagine ever doing this myself, though.
I have spare handles, to re-handle hammers, but I am not particularly happy with the results. I like hammers with handles that are very thin under the hammer heads. I don’t need another ball peen… or really any hammer… so I just wait until cool ones fall into my hands.
This would be worth doing, though.
I have watched this before. When I clicked on the video it started at the guy pounding the Allen keys into the board on the French cleat.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Interesting technique. Never occurred to me to drag out the belt sander, but I'm a bit puzzled as to why he'd put a perfectly flat face on a ball pein - those sharp edges are going to leave a mark. I just used a small file to clean up the surfaces.
I have never glued a wedge - that was an odd twist.
And I don't fool around driving the wedge in any more with that "tap tap tap" nonsense - just grab the five-pounder and drive it home with a couple good whacks.
I can buy hammer heads all day long for $1 each. Problem is - last handle I purchased was $17 and change, and I had to drive 19 miles to buy it. @d42jeep was kind enough to send me some handles out of his stash so I could put these beauties back into service:
I have never glued a wedge - that was an odd twist.
And I don't fool around driving the wedge in any more with that "tap tap tap" nonsense - just grab the five-pounder and drive it home with a couple good whacks.
I can buy hammer heads all day long for $1 each. Problem is - last handle I purchased was $17 and change, and I had to drive 19 miles to buy it. @d42jeep was kind enough to send me some handles out of his stash so I could put these beauties back into service:
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Old tool guy
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- Apr 13, 2023
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Nice, but i’m not sure about the fancy wood choice for the handles. Why not white oak or ash, something more traditional.Happen to come across this video….found it interesting.
And… that is the reality.
I buy handles at estate sales when they have the wedge and the little metal thingie.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Really difficult to justify the $17 cost of a crappy Chinese handle when just below the handles - on the same shelf - is a brand new hammer for $4.99. (That would have been McLendon's Hardware at 112th & Canyon Road East.)
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I love restoring old tools & equipment when I can. It has nothing to do with cost, just like doing it & I hate to see a good old peice of iron get scrapped if it can be restored.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Very bad idea. A flat face not only leaves marks, but will glance off of things like chisels and punches. I've tried to use a carpenter's hammer ground flat before--long story--and it was impossible to drive nails.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ When I cleaned up those four (and a couple others) I used a good file on the faces and worked them down carefully, trying to maintain the original contour on the face.
RTM
Well-known member
House Handle dot com. Buy a bunch, reduces the pain of shipping. Been a few years (2014), but bought $100 of handles, paid like $30 in shipping. Enough to cover the top of my washing machine for the picture. Long handles like 6’ push broom and wheelbarrow drive the shipping up, the rest go freely.
More details in caption here
Woodworking & Tools - KirkHMB
House Handle Order househandle.com $93 worth of handles $27 shipping 2nd handle from the front is FH grade, all the rest are AA grade. Most expensive tool was the Adze handle at $13 with shipping Not shown is the 1# of wooden wedges, couple at each end of the hammer handles. A nice touch...
kirkhmb.smugmug.com
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I saw one person recommending a first woodworking project. Be literally making a hammer handle.
You can do it with very minimal tools. If you have something like a Shinto rasp that goes very quickly.
I was very happy with the results.
I often have scraps that are small enough to make Hammer handles. I generally do not have scraps large enough to make ax handles. I made an ax handle once, or at least I started, but the wood had a flaw in it and it broke while I was making it.
lolaetype
Well-known member
I was thinking those restorations were to be admired, but not used and I'd guess someone with his skills knows what profile a hammer head should have. Or I could be mistaken on either or both points.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Yes. I made a handle for the mallet for my shake froe.
But honestly, I am hoping I am done re-handling tools.
All of my garden tools have excellent handles on them, many of them replaced by me.
I have one axe that could use a new handle, but I don't chop wood anymore so why bother?
I do still have to hang a new handle on the axe that belongs up at the cabin. Just haven't gotten to it yet - handle is out in the garage.