Replacing broken tool handles

John Weiland wrote:

I don't have a lathe and maybe next best thing is wood rasp or a  spoke shave??  

I checked my BB, and I just used a pocket knife followed by a file to smooth it. Mine was for much lighter duty use than a fork and was a smaller diameter pole.

Hubby has a small bench sander which would have been great if it wasn't on the sick list!

The problem I see with the spoke shave its that it takes both hands to operate, leaving you with no hands to keep gradually turning the piece of wood. My experience with these sorts of things is that more I could keep rotating the wood (as a lathe would), the better outcome I had.

Edward was trying to share a video on a tool called a wire clamper for installing wire clamps. This video shows how it is used to secure split tool handles and for numerous other applications and how the device is made.

M Ljin wrote: .......video on a tool called a wire clamper for installing wire clamps.

Loved this!   The self-made catamaran was very impressive.... :-)

here are picture I took while replacing hoe handle

M Ljin wrote:Edward was trying to share a video on a tool called a wire clamper for installing wire clamps. This video shows how it is used to secure split tool handles and for numerous other applications and how the device is made.

Word to the wise on this particular tool: I bought one. I used it once, and the tip bent at a 90° angle, with one extra turn of my (normally wimpy) wrist😬. If using it, I would advise using it only on softer wires, not something that is hardened.

Carla Burke wrote:Word to the wise on this particular tool: I bought one. I used it once, and the tip bent at a 90° angle, with one extra turn of my (normally wimpy) wrist😬. If using it, I would advise using it only on softer wires, not something that is hardened.

Thanks! I just ordered one. :)

Oh, no!  Define 'softer' wires. Surely it will do better than just copper?

'Softer' will depend on the gage and whether it is 'dead soft', 'half hard', or 'full hard', and of course, what is made of - I'm sure it will be fine for more than only copper - but mine bit the dust on the very first wire I attempted to use it on, so I have no idea what it *will* work on. I was using electric fence wire. Don't do that.

Jay Angler wrote:John Weiland wrote:

I don't have a lathe and maybe next best thing is wood rasp or a  spoke shave??  

I checked my BB, and I just used a pocket knife followed by a file to smooth it. Mine was for much lighter duty use than a fork and was a smaller diameter pole.

Hubby has a small bench sander which would have been great if it wasn't on the sick list!

The problem I see with the spoke shave its that it takes both hands to operate, leaving you with no hands to keep gradually turning the piece of wood. My experience with these sorts of things is that more I could keep rotating the wood (as a lathe would), the better outcome I had.

So I rummaged around and came across a coarse-grit sanding wheel in my collection that fit the angle grinder.  This worked quite well for tapering down the end of the older handle that I found and was able to fit the handle into the fork head.  After drilling a new hole in the wood for a pin, I found a nail to serve as the pin and just pounded it down as flat as possible, then used a file smooth off the edges.  So aesthetically it's neither Da Vinci's 'Michelangelo' nor his invention of the spinning wheel,..... ;-) ......but the pitchfork lives again!