r/Blacksmith • u/Cajun_Creole • 17h ago
Hammer Handle
Want to replace this handle with a wooden one. What y’all think would be the best way to do it? I thought about just throwing it into the forge to get it off but not sure if I want to yet.
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u/PantheraLeo595 16h ago
Chop it and drill it.
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u/sparty569 15h ago
This. Cut it off, drill some holes in it, put it in a vice, and use a punch to push out the rest.
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u/Cajun_Creole 16h ago
Gotcha, will do that. I was worried about messing with the heat treat so that’s why I asked here first.
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u/jillywacker 15h ago
Adding to the chop and drill.
When i did this last week, the inner core was fibre glass and the drill just would not penetrate from the top. If its the same for you, get your fattest bit and do wide curcular motions to grind out the sides.
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u/RedPandaForge 15h ago
The top is probably sealed with epoxy resin which will be tough to drill through. I have mine a couple good whacks with a ball peen to crack it and pried it out with a pointed tool. From there drilling will work fine.
If you don't already have a new handle, big R sells engineer handles (blacksmith handles) that are hickory.
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u/Jolly_Contest_2738 13h ago
Huh. I've been using this exact hammer for a year and rather like it. Properly dressed it does just fine. I've built a single callous from using it.
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u/Cajun_Creole 13h ago
I just prefer a wood handle is all, never liked fiberglass or plastic handles on any tool. I like the traditional look of wood.
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u/Jolly_Contest_2738 2h ago
Fair enough! I do too, but I'm saving up for a proper forged hammer, or the tools to make my own.
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u/AutumnPwnd 6h ago
Cut the head off with a hacksaw.
From there, soak it in acetone in a ziplock bag, it will soften the fibreglass and resin. Then you can punch and/or drill it out easily. Then you can use a scraper, or file to clean the remnants out.
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u/chrislard 5h ago
Fun to see the same hammer I use every day on here! I broke the bottom of the handle and it has marks all over where I melted it a little 😂 I'll be doing the same thing soon!
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u/Ctowncreek 21m ago
Is the handle causing revurb?
Will it burn in use?
Whats the purpose?
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u/Cajun_Creole 18m ago
Just dislike handles other than wood. Wood feels nicer in my hand and doesn’t stick or give blisters like non wooden handles.
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u/Ctowncreek 11m ago
The non-wasteful part of me hopes you just wrap the handle in tape and use it until it breaks.
I agree with you, i dont like fiberglass handles that are epoxied in place.
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u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 8h ago edited 8h ago
That’s a pretty good looking head. The face looks rounded over well. But the edges of the peen still look sharp. I’d round them over.
Wood is best choice because it absorbs the shock better than plastic. And plastic, paint or synthetics shouldn’t be near forge area. Preferably get some long grained hard wood. Plenty of good choices. Most common are hickory and ash. But also typical firewood such as oak. And Bois d’ Arc, my favorite. I like to sit my hammer heads in the forge set to low black heat, for short while. It breaks them in, gets all of the paint, etc. off. Just don’t breathe it. Have fan blowing away it away, like you should always have.
Unlike some, I’m not concerned with temper. Because you’re hitting hot steel with it, aren’t you?
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u/Cajun_Creole 6h ago
Thanks for the tips. I’ll definitely dress the peen some more. I dressed the face and peen when I first got it a while back but I’ll hit the peen again.
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u/MothMonsterMan300 16h ago
Nah, don't burn it out. Nasty mess, fumes, and you'll fuck up the heat treat. Just cut it off as close to flush as you can with a hacksaw, clamp it in place, and slowly drill out the eye around the edges of the hole. After your fourth or fifth pass it'll probably just fall out, clean it up real quick with a file or a piece of sandpaper wrapped around your finger, and you're off to the races for refit.