Suggestions on restoring old 5lbs sledge hammer

[JimFZR]

Long time reader of Garage Journal, and here's my first post! I recently found an old rusty sledge hammer (handle was broken) that belonged to a family member. It is a USA made Craftsman 5lbs sledge. I am not sure of the year, but it was originally painted an olive green (almost like a Wilton vice). I would estimate its from the 1970s, but really have no idea. I cleaned it up lightly in a bath of vinegar overnight and gave it a good brushing. Anyways, I cam across the Polishing thread on here a few days ago (wow!) and was inspired to restore the sledge--almost like a show piece, not really to use every day as I already have a few daily beaters. Anyways, my plan is to file down some light mushrooming, fill the surfaces with Bondo to have a totally flat/ even surface, paint olive green, and then polish the two ends to a mirror finish. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? I would also need a new handle, probably pick up some Hickory one and fit it to the sledge. Thanks!

 

[crguy]

Why would you do that?

 

[BuffettFan]

Why would you do that?

Why Not? Spend some quality garage time on it.

I've got Granddaddy's old hatchet that I'm going to do a similar project on.
It's beat up, been ground to heck and back, isn't worth a plugged nickel, but it was Granddad's, so I'll spend some QGT on it. think about the times I spent with him and hang it on the wall when it's done.

 

[4xdog]

I'm OK with all of it but the Bondo on the striking surface. That I do not get...

 

[Negen]

I cannot understand why a hammer would need bondo around here bondo is only used if your trying to flip a car. I bedee heard of it uaed to restore a hammer. I would think if spots are bad enough brazing or some other method can be used to fill in the metal spots.

Wrangler star on YouTube has videos of axe restoration which I would think would be similar to a hammer.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[toolmiser]

I think a light coating of oil, set it in the sun for a couple days so it absorbs it, and then wipe it off good. Install a handle, might want to finish the handle with either poly or linseed oil to make it look good including the end where you install the wedges. You could sand the faces before oiling to make them look finished. This is all since you want it as a show rather than user. Who would do that to a user?

 

[cutt]

Check out Jimmy Diresta's videos. He does excellent restoration work.

 

[SilverDeck]

Looks beautiful just the way it is! I'd put a good coat of paste wax on it, get a new hickory handle installed and put it back into service for another 100 years.

 

[zkling]

I've done it to smaller sledge heads or engineers hammers used for forging. I wouldn't use any bondo, just a good wire wheeling all over to remove rust, paint then buff the faces. A semi-slack belt grinder is ideal followed by a buffing wheel for polishing. If you don't have those a flap wheel on a angle grinder followed by some high grit sand paper with a soft backer (mouse pad on a 2x4) works well.

 

[shanny19]

I would leave it bare metal and spray a few coats of clear acrylic.

Check out House Handle online......great place.
Pay much more attention to the actual dimensions of your eye than the verbal descriptions.

 

[disston]

The problem with old hammers is making, fitting, a new handle. That hammer head looks fine. It is low mileage. I have used and owned a number of old sledge hammers. The heads last forever. The handles get broken. Making and fitting a tight handle has got to be an art. I know, I have tried. Even asked here on Garage Journal about fitting hammer heads and was told to look at you tube. You can polish the metal of that hammer head till it shines. It will never look better than the way your ancestor left it.

Learning to use a sledge hammer is another subject. They are a tool and properly used will do work to the advantage of the man swinging it. Improperly used they will break your arm.

Learn to make a handle that works. Not just a nice looking piece wood.

Do you have any use of a 5 lb sledge hammer? They are good for breaking up old concrete. But not too thick. Something like an old sidewalk is about the speed you want.

5 lbs is big but they do come bigger. Spend 30 minutes with it and you will wish for a smaller one.

 

[gungatim]

personally i'd just find a sears to take it back and exchange it. hammers are hammers...I've taken many busted ball pein craftsman back for a full exchange, always wondering why they sell the handles separately, but you could just buy the handle at Sears if it's that sentimental...last I knew the craftsman hammers were still us made.

 

[RodneyW]

I say go for it. Have fun and fix it the way you like.

 

[notlob]

I'd generally say it's your hammer, do what you want with it.

But; bondo on a hammer?

 

[RodneyW]

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean on the striking surfaces of the hammer. I'm not sure if the bondo would stand up to repeated shocks even without directly hitting it but it sounds like he's after a clean, smooth wall hanger painted the original color, not a user.

 

[JimFZR]

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean on the striking surfaces of the hammer. I'm not sure if the bondo would stand up to repeated shocks even without directly hitting it but it sounds like he's after a clean, smooth wall hanger painted the original color, not a user.

Yup exactly! I mean bondo the non-striking surfaces to get a smooth finish. Again, this wouldn’t be a daily driver tool, just something cool to have and a way to practice some new restoration techniques. I would just polish the striking surfaces, they’re already in pretty good shape.

 

[jimreed2160]

I restore lots of cast iron and here is what I do. Once the surface is clear of rust and dirt, coat it with boiled linseed oil. I use 50-50 BLO to turpentine. Let it soak into the surface for a few hours at room temp. Then wipe off the excess and let it dry for a few weeks. Be careful with your rags because they will combust.

I have never used Bondo but have used JB Weld with great success for surface flaws. Apply it after cleaning the raw iron with acetone.

Once the surface is dry, use your paint of choice. I like Rustoleum primer followed by colors. I had a Craftsman sledge from the 70s and it was teal green but this is your hammer and your choice.

Take it with you to the store when you are looking for a handle. Find something close and get a set of wedges. Of course, the head has a big diameter and a smaller diameter. When you install the handle, the big diameter is on top and proper wedging will hold the head in place.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ok, let's be clear here, it's your hammer so there is no wrong answer. Restore it for show? Yes bondo will work. If you want to use it, then no bondo. Just oil it up and install a handle.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Jim good for you. When done add a pic to this thread. I find it amazing on the polish jobs some of the GJers are capable of.
Mine would be high gloss black, highly polished ends, cherry stained hickory handle.
Good Luck