Hammer Handle Supplier??

[William ChithamParticipant @williamchitham75949]

[William ChithamParticipant @williamchitham75949]

I have a 1lb ball pien hammer in need of a new handle. I've found lots of suppliers of wooden handles on line but none yet (outside the US) that specify the size properly by length and eye size. Mine has a 1"x3/4" oval eye, not too bothered about length. Any suggestions for a supplier?

Thanks, William.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

If all else fails have you thought about making your own

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I've always had to shave them down to fit the eye of the hammer head.

Roy

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

There if you search correctly.

"Wooden Tool Handles"

This leads you to Richard Carter Ltd, a Huddersfiel company that makes every sort of wooden handle including club hammer ones!

[William ChithamParticipant @williamchitham75949]

Posted by KWIL on 09/03/2022 11:33:15:

There if you search correctly.

"Wooden Tool Handles"

This leads you to Richard Carter Ltd, a Huddersfiel company that makes every sort of wooden handle including club hammer ones!

Just found Rich Carter but they only specify by length, I've sent an email enquiry. I found a Faithful that is the right eye size but at 16" seems a bit long to me.

W.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

"But with what shall I saw it dear Bill Dear Bill, wth what shall I saw it Dear Bill, with what?

Regards Ian.

[Craig BrownParticipant @craigbrown60096]

I always shape the handle for a good tight fit in the hammer head.

My handles are purchased from a local farm/agricultural supply business, might be worth looking for one local to you

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

But make sure it's made from Hickory dear doc.

Regards Ian.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[William ChithamParticipant @williamchitham75949]

What a hilarious lot you are.

I could make my own but time is short and ready made handles are inexpensive, probably cheaper than the material would cost.

I expect to have to do some fitting but as far as I know you can't "shave up" a handle that is too small.

If I "search correctly" I find many suppliers but very few that specify by eye size as well as length. Length isn't an adequate way to specify a handle. Richard Carter for example only quote length and apparently don't sell to consumers anyway.

Handles are not cylindrical, a 16" hammer handle with 2" sawn off isn't a 14" hammer handle, it is a 16" handle with the end sawn off.

The most important dimensions are of the eye but on consideration I think that I would prefer a handle 12" – 14" long.

W.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Length of handle should not be a problem, just stand closer (or further away) from the impact target.

Unless you have extremely short arms, the required effort should not really vary.

[derek hall 1Participant @derekhall1]

During my apprenticeship in the shipyard many moons ago I was given a new 1lb ball pien hammer and told to cut 2 inches off the length of the shaft as it was deemed "better for close controlled hammering"…

I think the main issue William has is the business end of the wooden shaft. Surely it has to be shaped to size to fit the hammer head before the wedge is knocked into the end grain? Never bought a new wooden handle for a hammer to be honest, when the handle got damaged I bought a new hammer.

My grandfather used to make handles for hammers etc but sadly I dont have his skills in woodwork

Regards to all

Derek

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Derek,

I think you Apprentice advice was similar to going to the stores for a long wait or left handed screwdriver..

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

My father was a working clockmaker and made predominantly skeleton clocks from the simple to orrery,s in batches of 5.

When he died his tools were shared out between us three brothers, as part of my lot I got a ball pien hammer with a short handle it’s turned out to be the go to hammer easy to handle and heavy enough to do what’s needed.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Regardless of final shaping of the shaft to fit the eye you still want a shaft of the right proportions to suit the weight of the head. Just buying by length could get you a spindly one more suited to an 8oz head or a 2lbs one.

As for suggestions to cut a bit off the end you have to bear in mind that a good shaft will widen towards the end which make sit comfortable to grip and less likely to slip out of the hand. Saw too much off and you loose that thicker end.

Zoro have a range and indicate the size of head the shaft (not handle) will suit, length in proportion to head size. And another supplier of shafts

 

Edited By JasonB on 09/03/2022 16:22:20

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[William ChithamParticipant @williamchitham75949]

Posted by JasonB on 09/03/2022 16:18:45:

Zoro have a range and indicate the size of head the shaft (not handle) will suit, length in proportion to head size. And another supplier of shafts

Thanks Jason, I've seen the Zoro range but I'm reluctant to buy without seeing the eye dimension. Zoro are particularly hopeless at properly specifying items in my experience. The other link is interesting as they are selling the Richard Carter handles, I have sent an email to them asking for dimensions. This is the only uk supplier I have found so far with the proper info but the the 16" one that would fit is too long for me: FAITHFUL

This one in the states looks just the job, I'm sure I'll find one in the uk eventually: Hammersource

William.

Edited By William Chitham on 09/03/2022 16:39:50

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The Men's Shed get given a lotof tools that need new handles. Nowadays it is cheaper to buy a complete new tool.

As for using hickory, surely that;s only in America and ash is the norm in the UK.

[David AmbroseParticipant @davidambrose86182]

A long time ago I bought a 2lb ball pein hammer and cut about 3 inches off the shaft. I found it suited me better, and I used the offcut to make a temporary handle for an old power hacksaw blade to cut out an exhaust pipe that had rusted into a fitting on the stern of a PLA launch. I think that I still have both tools – the hammer still has the hole in the shaft for the piece of string in case I dropped it in the Thames.

[DiogenesIIParticipant @diogenesii]

Posted by Bazyle on 09/03/2022 18:05:57:

..As for using hickory, surely that;s only in America and ash is the norm in the UK…

…I think every Ash tree in Gloucestershire got cut down before Christmas…

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Mole country stores, or any good ironmonger, should have a selection. Buying from the net, for something like this is just asking for failure.

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