The Easy Way to Replace Hammer Handles

[@essentialcraftsman]

What would you like to learn next? Leave a comment!👇🏻

[@bamahomestead6323]

I have my Gramp's small crosscut saw. It's dull and the blade has a wave/worp. Can it be fixed?

[@Peter_Enis]

If I (and perhaps others) may answer that question with the most respect for a teacher like you are.......I would like to see your vision on the current us schooling system to train the future "essential craftsmen/women". Perhaps visit a school and inspire some people that we not only need ict-experts but also men/women who do the traditional "work". Thank you for your inspirational words and teachings!

[@Skeletors_Closet]

@@essentialcraftsman is the process for mounting a full sized ax head to a full sized handle the same? I have an adze and an axe head that I need to attach to new handles. Should I work and sharpen the adze head first? Seems like it would be easy to do when not on the handle.

[@j.d.1488]

@Peter_Enis Great question and request. I'm 68 and I remember shop classes at 6th grade into HS. Never mind dedicated vocational HS's for trades in Public School system.

[@Peter_Enis]

@@j.d.1488 Thank you for the support on my question dear Sir/Madam. Let's hope it gets picked up in a future video.

[@ch355_]

i've never seen anyone stack hacksaw blades. that in itself made the video worth watching. thank you! the rest was just wonderful

[@coppulor6500]

same here

[@TalRohan]

I have stacked old ones to use for removing rust (6 or 7) but never tried sawing with them thats a good one.

[@For_What_It-s_Worth]

The pins at each end are tilted opposite each other, so distance between is greater for each blade stacked on the pins. Note that his loose blade is the inner one. Might still be made to work after a fashion in low stress work, e.g. wood.

[@TalRohan]

@@For_What_It-s_Worth I had'nt considered that but it makes sense, I actually put the blades I am using on a long upvc window screw so I can leave a thread space between each one, its not "amazing" but it works especially well on the large flat areas of angle iron, and its fantastic on anything convex. Its harder than a wire brush and not as aggressive as a grinding wheel.

[@andrewgraves4026]

@@TalRohan interesting! Guess you could use a washer or paper as a spacer too

[@WilliamFontaineJr]

I’m 70 and have been watching your Chanel from near the beginning. I’ve shared some of your construction building experience. You have a way of taking the hard lessons in life and making them something, everyone wishes they had experienced. I know that the toughest things I’ve ever experienced are now some of my most cherished memories. I’ve often wanted to share those hard memories but can’t find the words or the way. I can rest comfortable knowing you’re doing it for me. I Have shared your Chanel with a few. The ones I care about and I believe can benefit from listening to you. So thanks again…, I’ve probably said that in your comment section more than 20 times yet it never gets tired because it’s genuine and you keep filling me with gratitude.

[@gunterbecker8528]

Not even the Essential Craftman could've said it any better! You so right , and I share your opinion 😊

[@WYnWest]

Truly the Dad or Father every man needs. Just a kind and talented individual. Thanks for all your content.

[@flowzerr4550]

Or woman!😊

[@9ckr716]

Wow man the videos outro was just the most wholesome thing ive watched in a long time. You really wear your heart on your sleeve. You're a good man. Thanks Scott 👋🏼

[@skylinevspec000]

I think ive said this before but as a bloke who has grown up without a dad and a fairly limited/absent granddad ive had to learn life myself... This channel and a few others like it have been instrumental in helping me learn. Much appreciated.

[@kenj8558]

He reminds me of my Grandfather: honest, straightforward and so very smart. I truly admire and respect how he treats people and his efforts to make all of us better craftsmen. Thank you!

[@robbflynn4325]

The old guy left a bunch of old tools at the property we moved into. Some had broken handles. Included was a mattock and shovel. Cleaned up the metal. Took them over to Truevalue. Staff were very helpful. Picked out a couple of hickory handles. Took items to workshop at back of store. Cost me $50, but now I have a couple of quality tools that were otherwise destined for the tip.

[@cooders71]

I absolutely love your content. You are such a humble man, father, grandfather, ect, a man of faith and family and a VERY knowledgeable TEACHER, who is enjoyable to listen to and watch. I wish I was able to join you EC workshop, but, as well as everyone, money is to tight(I'm a disabled vet on a very fixed income), so, I'll keep watching what you post on here. Please keep em coming, and, thank you.

[@bayoutrapper]

I'm with you on the fixed, very limited income. I feel it's very sad how our veterans are treated, warriors, heroes of our freedom every generation of my family has fought in every war since the American Revolution. God bless you soldier. I too am disabled and live with my sister. You tube is my escape from the crap in the world, and my Bible studies. I love watching EC and several others. Blacksmithing, Welding, I was a Pipefitter/ welder, sometimes Boilermaker. But, in 2009 a car wreck stopped that. Now I even just dream of riding my motorcycle and trying to get by. I worry about riding because I've had 3 strokes and that led to occasional seizures. But brother what good is living if you can't live? I just keep my faith in God and be very careful. God bless you.

[@jamesc37]

I feel that, I’m not even interested in wood working, but I feel I have a new cousin uncle dad brother

[@jenmarkforeverforrest2777]

Thank you for passing down knowledge from generation to generation for those that will listen and learn! I wish I had listened more to my grandfather when he was alive. Once again thank you sir for taking your precious time to help all of us.

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

As an ex carpenter (many years ago) but a self taught coachbuilder, I would soak my multitude of hammers in antifreeze once a month or two! People thought I was crazy but I do not ever get loose hammer heads! I have a bucket dedicated for this & continue to do it to this day! Yes, it works (but I wish I had known the proper way to fit a handle, that would have saved me a "LOT" of grief over the years!) Cheers again!

[@ralphh4131]

This is the first time 8ve heard of this...

[@mercoid]

Toxic stuff. I would avoid.

[@oxygenium92]

​@@mercoidyou are not eating those hammer right?

[@GTIFabric]

Learned this from my high school shop teacher...the ethylene glycol soaks in and swells up the wood but doesn't evaporate

[@austen9556]

@@oxygenium92wash your hands every time you grab a hammer soy boy

[@learkenciel]

I was thinking on replacing the handle on some old hammers I've found on my old man's garage, and you just upload this. Talking about perfect timing!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Great video! I've always set my wooden wedges upside down like that. Not only does it force the head onto the haft, it also prevents the mallet splitting the wedge from repeated imperfect whacks. Also: commercially made handles are varnished to keep them looking great in shipping and stocking, but varnish causes blisters. Sand it all off and linseed oil it. No blisters!

[@kimmy080]

I wish this guy was my grandpa....the knowledge he has to give alone is worth millions. I'd spend every day in the shop with him

[@RayNaraine]

Absolutely! Fully agree!

[@elffirrdesign2063]

It was "tell me something I don't already know" until the antifreeze soaking. Well done!

[@creativecraving]

😂 There was another guy who said the antifreeze trick was all he knew. I myself learned a great deal.

[@rwboehm4068]

Why not just soak it in the boiled linseed oil?

[@nickh.9816]

Thank you for teaching professionalism!!

[@TrevorDennis100]

I almost feel ashamed that I had not thought to hold the hammer head facing down when knocking in the wedge, because it's pretty obvious when someone demonstrates the advantage. The antifreeze trick is a good one as well. I loved the short clip of the handle forming machine, and I am about to search KZbin for other examples of that. I often think how wonderful a resource KZbin is for youngsters starting a career in one of the many trades. I started my toolmaking apprenticeship in 1967 at the Ford UK Trade School in Harold Hill in Essex. I did two years there before moving to the Ford Product Development site at Dunton in Essex. I honestly think I learned more from the older guys at Dunton than I did at the Apprentice Training School. How I would have loved to have access to someone like yourself via the videos you upload. I am 75 now, and retired as a Design Engineer in 2004, but I belong to a local Menz Shed that has a decent metal shop, but I have also discovered a love of working with wood, and I have a very nice wood shop at home now, and I am out there most days of the week. So please don't underestimate the immense value of the content you upload. It is much appreciated, and I'd hate to think of all that experience not being passed on.

[@Skeletors_Closet]

Be honest. We all have a few old heads and handles laying around. I’m going to try to mount one today. Thanks for the info!

[@ralphh4131]

Seems.like a good way to spend a Saturday morning.. I'm finishing a scratching post for.my.cat

[@theimprovementsguy8871]

I love watching older fellas work. I learn so much from them

[@mdoy5667]

Estwing hammer. All steel and bullet proof.

[@dcrog69]

Stacking the hack saw blades is a tip definitely worth the price of admission.

[@Sailor376also]

Old guy here. Replaced many hammer handles over the years. Found early on that steel and fiberglass handles hit back just as hard as you are striking the nail. They can cripple your hand. Two differences. I do not glue my wedges,,Never had one back out. But when it comes time for a new handle, a lot easier to get out if not glued,, and some glues are hygroscopic, they attract water, moisture, hence rust. The second difference, a stopper on the end of the handle. Kind of like a good single bit axe has a fat butt end. On my claw hammers my preference is for hockey tape, surgical tape, but black electrical works well too,, Just a single band almost at the end of the butt, 10 or 15 layers thick. I use a soft hand to allow all the energy of the hammer to deliver the blow. I'm lazy, I like the hammer or maul to strike hard. That allows my thumb, index, and second fingers to be guides and just the last two fingers to retain the handle. My 6 pound splitting maul,,, that will need to be replaced every 10 or so full cords,, more frequently if I were a drinking man, every two years or so. Claw hammers/ I use 15 and 16 inch engineers handles. I like the extra length. It allows a 16 oz head to hit as hard as a 20oz. and a 20oz head to strike as hard as a 24.. I'm lazy. I do most of my framing with a 16. sometimes reach for a 20,, I do not own a framing hammer any heavier. 3 or 4 pound hand jack for stakes. Your form hammer is interesting. I see its uses.

[@PaulMikna]

Scott, just love everything about your channel! You really are an old school craftsman and I really appreciate videos like this!.

[@timjohle8876]

Nice job. Simple trick to boiled linseed oil. Throw the towels/rags into a bucket of water. No fires.

[@BrittCHelmsSr]

Stacking hack saw blades.....I would have never even thought of that. I had never soaked my hammer handles in antifreeze either. Thanks!

[@timsmith7874]

I can watch your videos over and over ! I admire the way you are still tackling it and your demeanor and patience is commendable! You are a good man and I wish we lived closer

[@DanielZuluagaVidaenAntioquia]

Sir, this is what I love from American Craftsmanship displayed in an easy very DIY manner. I love that attention to detail, the quality of the outcome, almost you can feel the true values that have made America a great nation. Thank you for your wisdom!

[@FreyGrimrod]

Glad I've already ordered all the house handles I currently need prior to this video dropping.

[@MereReef]

After so long finally a video on how do.. like the goood old days please make vids like this like tips and tricks

[@_FZ06]

2 hack saw blades🤔.... that's really interesting. Wish I thought of it! Thanks for the video🍻

[@pforbom1844]

These instruction videos are the best part of your channel. Please keep them coming 🇨🇦👍

[@marcus29551]

You and Larry Haun absolutely the best!! Thank you

[@sawmillsam7156]

@essentialcraftsman I have enjoyed repairing old hand tools as a hobby for over a decade. One thing I can tell you that you did not mention is to dilute the linseed oil with 1/3 turpentine or mineral spirits for much better absorption and less of the sticky residue from full strength linseed oil. Keep up the good work!

[@Reziac]

When I worked for a beekeeper we just used the cheapest paint thinner, and more like half and half. Soaked in fantastic and no sticky residue.

[@riverholmes8727]

​@@Reziac what a coincidence, that beekeeper happened to have a bunch of cheap paint thinner laying around... I swear every beekeeper must buy the thickest paint...

[@ac4uv]

1.4 million subs. Congrats and thank you for all your shared wisdom

[@markchodroff250]

I was a mechanic on forklifts for 50+ years and my biggest peeve was mechanics with claw hammers ! I always had many Ball, peen, and Engineer hammers, I changed many handles but I learned something new today , thank you I like your hammer I might get one for around the house and outside!

[@davidmatke248]

Keep up the good work!

[@donwilliams6170]

Very nice. Learned about linseed oil the hard way, "Honey, there's smoke coming out of the trash can" 😂😂😂

[@7210Shooter]

I learned many years ago that when it came to wood handled tools, and I still do it at almost 80 years young. The following. Apply linseed oil as follows; once a day for a week, once a week for a month, and once a month for a year. Has worked very well.

[@SmickyD]

An extra tip for applying the oil : warm up the wood and it will absorb more of it making your applications go much further.

[@philippe94416]

Soak it in melted paraffin cycling every 20 minutes between 85°C and 110°C just below and above boiling point of water. Water boils and bubbles of vapor are going out then when getting under 100 condensate en paraffin is sucked in. Yes it is overkill ! I do it on knifes, for a hammer, maybe not.

[@Ham68229]

@@philippe94416 I've done the wax method you mentioned, I've also just taken a container and let the hammer and handle just soak in Linseed oil. The handle will only soak in so much. Let sit or hang over the container to drip off, then just wipe down.

[@ardenthebibliophile]

As a nice young Irish woodworker on KZbin would say: Gorgeous

[@Whichbindoesthisgoin]

Indeed! Gaargiss 😂

[@cyrilnorrie8450]

Wow, I’ve been putting handles in hammer heads wrong for years! Thanks for showing us this method, it’s a game changer!

[@robbiestern2448]

What a wealth of knowledge to be gained from your videos, good sir. THANK YOU from SWFL

[@peterhawkins4612]

Never seen or heard of round hollow wedges for hammer handles , wish I had , I have a metal lathe easy for me to make to what ever suits the hammer. Thank you sir wish I had seen this 35 years ago.

[@ohasis8331]

Those ring wedges are bloody great but man are they bloody pricey.

[@JohnJude-dp6ed]

Never thought or heard your trick of several hacksaw blades at once.That could have saved me hours of work. As always you have earned a Like button hitting. Also the heavy grit for glue . Thanks Thanks

[@steveg9674]

Thanks,I never thought of or knew I could stack hacksaw blades

[@stephanM5]

By far the best video on replacing a hammer handle.

[@jimkomola787]

While we may see the strength and vigor of youth fade with experience, the last thing I would ever call this man is "weak". As a "retired" carpenter and long time blacksmith, that 5 pound form setter still probably can make more impact than a heavier sledge in the hands of an average 20 year old today.

[@chudleyflusher7132]

Chud.

[@nothatsfine4952]

When’s the last time you saw someone in their 20s on a job site….

[@ralphh4131]

2 or 3 blades in the hack saw. That's genius. Thanks for the tip..

[@foxwood67]

I was taught on New England farm to soak handles in used motor oil for a couple days. Swelled the handle

[@mariofernandez9026]

Brilliant idea on that hammer.

[@TimKlein-t3k]

Nice work it is great to see an artisan even on a hammer ⚒️ thanks

[@grekiely6245]

Thanks for the tuition, never too old to learn. I like the axe handle milling set. You cannot beat solid age old plant like that.

[@spurs3483]

Another great post. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I have an ancient blacksmith hammer that belong to my father and of his father before him. I am always having to do something to keep that hammerhead on the handle. Your post will help me take care of that issue. Thank you, again.

[@Gzus]

Great timing because the handle on my grandfather's old mini-sledge that I inherited is in dire need of attention! Thank you for sharing!

[@ornellh]

Excellent and house handles is the place to buy handles for all the heads you have been collecting

[@boczech]

Hello Mr. and THANKS for sharing !!

[@gregr1672]

Great video ,loved someone who is a craftsman and still cares about doing things right! I am somewhat of a hammering fool! I made a living swinging big heavy hammers all day long every day. I started as a Railroad Shop Car Repairman in heavy repair shops with WW2 Vets as my mentors. Torch in one hand ,12 to 16 lb sledge in the other. We were heat and beat gangs..Towards the end of my 42 yr career ,the company moved to lighter sledge hammers ,8 lb sissy hammers .Lol! Then they decided wooden handle sledge hammers were too dangerous.They threw away all of our wooden sledge hammers and replaced.them with some yellow resin composite type handle with 8 lb heads epoxied on. A.large group of big shots ,Corporate Types were touring our shops one day and I was rebuilding a wrecked hopper car . As I heated a panel to be able to beat it into place ,the big wigs wanted to see the new better hammer in use.I started swinging for the fence and about 6 or 7 big swings in ,the head flies off the handle and right past some Superintendents head. Narrowly missing him.The epoxy resin head let loose. I did not mark or hit the handle in any way ,they tried to say I was swinging too hard! Lol! They pulled all the new improved hammers until supplier (fixed) the issue. A few months later some of the new fixed ones failed. They then set a safety rule that you could not swing more than 7 times in a row. That was their answer.I took some of the wooden handle hammers home they were throwing away ,they said we had to get them off the property !

[@plamenpetrov304]

Another great video! Thank you!

[@essentialcraftsman]

Yes, around the first of the year we should have some back in stock.

[@arthurleroy7658]

Awesome talent, caring for a good tool, I appreciated to presentation.

[@gtbkts]

Thanks for the awesome content and all the amazing videos!!!

[@DanielDiaz-uw2ob]

A genuine expert tutorial. What a privilege!

[@NewWorldHoarder]

Hi man, I love your videos. I find them informative and relaxing. Your ladder safety video saved my bacon recently fixing a leaking roof that was flooding my kitchen. A leaking roof here in England is a bloody nightmare mate.

[@Toni-oy5gu]

The video I needed. Now I know what to do to replace the old handle once i get it out. Thank you.

[@hassenfepher]

I'm noticing your starting to get that "slow deliberateness" to your movement that old men get😉. I'm not there yet, but I'm enjoying my journey. It's nice to see so much of the world go by, and it sure beats dying young.

[@enarccrane]

i love making my own handles outta scrap and fitting a head on them. After watching this video maybe they won't fall off so easily.

[@earthstewardude]

Very nice video! I wish I could come and visit you at your workshop!

[@rogierius]

Excellent video. For future visitors, put the glue inside the groove instead of upon the wedge. Driving in the wedge with the glue on it, makes the glue never going to reach the bottom of the groove. Use a wooden coffee stirree to apply the glue inside the groove. Or whatever you have on hand that is thin.

[@forgotmylogininfo]

I have loved the idea of this hammer since you introduced it. Since then I stumbled across other videos showing a very similar hammer. THE TIRE DOCTOR on youtube calls his the magic hammer. I have also seen one similar in a video about people building the stone walls in England. great design, many uses

[@maddog6542]

first time seeing those round wedges...tons of them on amazon. buying some now, thanks

[@luciferchristian]

Great video. Thanks.

[@loridave1962]

I learned a lot here. Thx. Years back I frustratingly lost a small wedge of wood from the hand end of a new, ax handle. I was setting the new handle and old head and tapped the hand-end hard on the concrete floor. Inadvertently I apparently hit the sharp edge of the handle end on the floor instead of squarely hitting the floor with the flat face of the handle end. So, from then on I chamfer the hand end of a new handle before I start fitting it. But, I hope to use your method of seating a handle from now on. I know you talked about shrinkage….so, to ensure a new handle is dry and shrunk, I leave a new handle on the heating pipes for a few days before working it. Thx again for your lesson and great presentation.

[@MadMax-bq6pg]

THANK YOU for the education. Hi from Oz 🇦🇺

[@WhiteOak09]

The way you drove that wedge totally makes sense . I don't know why I've never done it that way.

[@christopherprince3250]

I have replaced dozens of tool handles and thought I had it down pat. I learned a lot from your 17 minute video. I would like to know where you can get the cone wedges, I have used one in the past that came out of an old handle and do agree that they work the best. Thanks for posting.

[@Kentucky_Caveman]

When i fit my handles onto hammers and such, instead of placing the head on a hard surface and beating the handle in that way, I'll get the head started and then I'll hold it by the handle in the air and whack the handle. Inertia will bring the head up on the handle.

[@Kentucky_Caveman]

also, call me a caveman but I just put the linseed oil on with my hand. I'll have to try that antifreeze trick sometime.

[@heliumcalcium396]

You'll have to hit the handle pretty hard to get the wedge in that way.

[@Kentucky_Caveman]

@heliumcalcium396 it isn't all to bad. As long as you are using a mallet the handle will be okay

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@heliumcalcium396 he's talking about hitting the head to the handle, not the wedge

[@johncatt1867]

My wife and I use oil finishes quite frequently and we keep a metal can for our used rags, and every day before going in, we take the can out to our back yard and properly dispose of the used rags in our chimenea.

[@markmacalik9693]

very nice playing and singing, sir Nolito!

[@seanfarnell1165]

Always good to learn tips from a tradesman 🇬🇧👍

[@timleduc1493]

Love the channel. As an alternative, I was always taught to soak the handle in hydraulic fluid, not sure it would be any better than the antifreeze. Always produces the same effect and certainly don't get any rusting.

[@fredbrooks8347]

I just love learning new information!

[@leer-winnobbeefarms2131]

Great video, and any video from which I learn something: Is Really Great! So, this one was: Really Great! Lee

[@ja5857]

What a bloody good bloke. Cheers.

[@Homesteadactivities]

Amazing, so much better than Wranglerstar

[@slaveofjesus3878]

Not really. Wranglerstar shows forming your own handle to fit vs. using one that already is a great fit, and otherwise very similar overall.

[@WEMS20]

This is a good video, but based on my years of experience, I think Wranglerstar's method is superior.

[@joshg6874]

ehhh wranglerstar acts like he knows everything but also im from roseburg so i like how he talks, and hes attitude.

[@briantrueman3505]

As always a great video from a great craftsman keep up the great work 🔧🔧👍👍

[@rickhand8228]

I buy handles from House handle too!

[@avgFloridian]

I have a handful of small sledge heads that were my grandfather's. One he managed to shove a steel pipe through, and I use it often, but it will be nice to finish the rest of the hammers he never got around to doing. Thanks for the info.

[@TheCowboylogic]

I need one of those hammers. Twice in the past I went to order one and they were out of stock. It looks like a perfect hammer.

[@larrymessier2196]

Thank you ,, I really enjoyed watching,, and learning,, how to install a hammer head,,,

[@juligrlee556]

Many years of the water trick solved today. Very useful info.

[@dlighted8861]

A neat trick to put more than one blade on a hacksaw. 😃

[@pw601]

Full of great tips. Thank you!

[@osszwoods6780]

Real hammer😊 . I enjoy and appreciate your videos

[@billinfallon2634]

I have learned so much from you... Thanks a bunch ‼️ Till the next one... 🙏👍👊🤙

[@alberthall4720]

Excellent video!

[@werewolf74]

The hammering fromt he handle and 'hanging the hammer' while driving the wedge and handle in is brilliant.

[@JohnJude-dp6ed]

I've built myself a 2X72 belt sander and it's useful almost every day I'm in my garage. Linseed oil and 120 grit sandpaper is smooth enough just reapply as needed the longer it lasts the less often you need to reapply it best finish Thanks

[@quailstudios]

That was amazing. Thank you so much sir. Subscribed

[@beerdrinker6452]

Go ahead and smash your finger if you can - You understand my skill set. Nice video. Very informative. Thank you.

[@fsj197811]

Hard part is finding handles for sale. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[@psidvicious]

HD and Lowes have replacement handles. Just sort through them and make sure the end grain is running in the right direction.

[@nathansmees1471]

If you can find somewhere that carries amish or Mennonite made handles, they are dirt cheap and great quality. Just picked up a maul handle for 8$, can’t beat that

[@fsj197811]

@@psidvicious Thanks for the tip, I did a quick look in tooling and only found new stuff. I'll look better this time. Thanks again!

[@psidvicious]

@@fsj197811 Sledge hammer and axe handles should be readily available since they break so often. Hammer handles I’m not as sure of. But if your willing to put some time into it and do some shaping, you can scale down a sledge or axe handle to fit. *Check the grain.

[@yahoobg1]

Beautiful job

[@dapperdave4952]

Damn glad I stumbled on your channel Sir your content is outstanding...Thank you!