Offset Turning - Hammer Handle

I have been wanting to learn about offset wood turning and I finally found a project: making a wood handle for a ball pein hammer head that I found in a thrift shop in Kerrville, Texas.

[@merlesking]

Just finished my first offset turn of an Ash handle for a restored ball peen hammer. This video was the key to my success. Thank you!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Merle! Glad it helped! This was a fun project for me, cheers.

[@TokyoCraftsman]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Tokyo Craftsman! I hope you found it useful, cheers.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Wow! Heck of a job! Love the old wood and the knot. If you don’t trust the wood, hang it on the wall. I wouldn’t change a thing. Much character in that hammer. Subscribed.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Jay! Thank for watching. I still use the hammer. It's OK, cheers.

[@girliedog]

Thank you for this excellent demonstration. I did not know about offset turning, surprising results.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Virginia! Thank you for watching the video and your kind comment, cheers.

[@yuyo57]

I have a hammer that my grandma used working in a war factory in England. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Yuyo57! A splendid comment. Cheers

[@michaelclark2840]

Nicely done indeed. So good to see a hammer handle,or any handle for that matter with the grain layers running parallel to the axis of the tool. So many handles you buy in hardware shops these days have the grain layers perpendicular to the tool axis then people wonder why the split along the grain when used. Well done.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Mike! Thanks, that was a decision I had to make. It made sense to me. Cheers.

[@howardpilot4590]

Excellent demo,I liked the planning with diagram. Good job.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Howard! Glad you liked it! Cheers.

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Excellent exercise in offset turning. That's a good practice for anyone. Glad to see you one the tube again. Cip. Enjoyed the turn

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Lee! Yes, this was a good learning experience for me and I think it turn out well. I always hope to do more video but it sometimes takes me a while. Cheers.

[@ralphhross]

Excellent, keep that handle, it's perfect !

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Ralph! I still have the hammer and use it often. Cheers

[@robinhoff4598]

Well done. I have some nice hickory and will try it soon. Always wondered how it was done. Thorough and clear video. Thanks!😎😎

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Robin! I too was wondering how it was done and I was sure I could figure it out. The next one should be easier and I get better wood. Kind Regards

[@billebdon4338]

A good video - it is a nice job to do to restore an old tool. I have made three of these now out of ash and I find it useful to leave an inch or so at each end, bigger diameter than the handle will be, to make plenty of room for the offset centres to be spaced out but still not too near the edge of the turning. These bigger end pieces are just sawn off to finish the job.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Bill! An excellent idea and something am considering for the next handle. The small end was my problem. It was barely large enough to turn safety. All the Best.

[@webslinger67]

Good to see a video again from you Cip....and now I'm going to try a hammer handle.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Webslinger! Often it is difficult to find a project that holds my attention long enough to finish production. I am always looking for my next project. Kind Regards.

[@dondavis769]

I like it Cip!!! Simple straightforward by you--why I like your stuff so much. You know you can buy a specific type of wood-it's not illegal to buy wood!

[@samswoodshop9937]

Cip I notice a safety action that you use that NOT many do these days. That you removed your ring before starting the machine work, thank you, I enjoy doing interesting lathe work, I viewed a channel of a gent that turned a Knife on a metal lathe his channel is "Mehamozg"

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Sam! Thank you for comment. I will look into the channel you suggested, cheers.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Quite nicely done. First time I've seen a hammer handle turned on KZbin. Thanks for sharing. Definitely saving this one to my 'tool guild's list.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Thomas! I like recording and sharing practical things I need to do anyway. Thank you for your comment and for watching. Cheers

[@TheMessyStudio]

Well done, especially for your first off-center piece, Cip! That handle should serve you well. Billy

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Billy! Thank you, this was fun for me. Cheers.

[@driftwooder]

Nice Job on the handle Cip. It turned out great. Glad to see ya back and happy Thanksgiving.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Roy! It is so difficult to find fun projects. I don't want to just do the same things again. Enjoy the holiday, bye.

[@garymccoy2888]

Very nice. First time I’ve seen that done.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Gary. It is the first time for me, but then again I like learning new stuff. Thank you for watching. All the Best...

[@davidwyby]

Sweet! Gotta turn me some axe handles

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy David! Sounds like a good project, cheers.

[@jan-roarbernhardsen7626]

Nice job and a nice tool. Wish you a nice and good week. Best wishes from Norway

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting to you in Norway! It was a fun learning experience. Thank you for watching. Cheers...

[@jan-roarbernhardsen7626]

Cheers Cip :)

[@DennisKenneybees]

Thanks, I enjoyed the video as I did not know how to turn to get an offset.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Dennis! It was a fun project. Thank you, I appreciate your comment, cheers.

[@magsmethurst6423]

Nice job you (handled) that well you certainly hit the nail on the head with this video All the best john s from england

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Mag! A little bit of hammer and nail humor. thanks greatly appreciated. How are thing in jolly olde England, splendid I hope? Cheers

[@DIMTips]

Great work and looks great

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy DIM Tips! Thank you, I am still using that hammer. I like projects I can continue to use after the video is done, cheers!

[@tjotwo]

Thanks for the informative video. I just made a dead blow mallet for my wife. For the handle, I used rectangular teak. The small dimension was the same as the handle small dimension. I'll give offset turning a shot for my next hammer or mallet project.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Jeff! Give it a go. It is enjoyable to make something different. Cheers

[@bigoldgrizzly]

< a dead blow mallet for my wife > ??? the mind boggles, should we have sent for the cops ?

[@TheDementedMonkeys]

Lovely video and channel overall, thanks for sharing your little woodworking adventures with us!

[@Blueboy9055]

Nice little job Cip, this is one I’ll be trying in the future. Thank you Chris

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting BlueBoy! Give it a go! Cheers

[@vkwilliams8864]

Just the video I needed. Thanks.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy V&K! I hope you found this video useful, cheers.

[@Bramsshed1913]

A highly engaging video Cip full of information and finished with an excellent handle mate! Great video Cip and good to see you back ! Cheers, Bram.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greetings Bram, I hope you enjoyed the video. It has been a while. I have a difficult time finding good projects. I don't what to do the same thing everyone else is doing. I will be looking for the next project. Cheers

[@Afro408]

Well done Cip, but next time leave some selvage each end of the blank, to give the centres more support. 👍😁

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Tony! Thanks for the tip, cheers.

[@elitearbor]

This was a very useful guide, overall. Thank you! It ought to save me a whole mess of time over carving and shaping each one with hand tools, that's for sure... I frequently find tools without handles, and it's been a hobby of mine this year to give them new life. I don't get enough use out of my wood lathe, and this will be good. Again, my thanks!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Eltearbor! This was interesting for me. I watched many off-center turning videos. I wanted to do something practical that I could use in the shop. Cheers.

[@davidkuhns8389]

An interesting exercise. Nicely done.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy David! I think it might be one of the earliest kind of offset turning. It was difficult for me, but I was able to work through it. Kind Regards.

[@filmbluff99]

David Kuhn

[@MrPete1x]

Excellent, thank you for showing

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Peter! Thank you for your kind words, cheers.

[@dr.duly.6926]

Nicely done Cip.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting David! Thank you for the comment. I hope you enjoyed the video. Cheers!

[@justinbligh]

Welcome back! Another great video Cip.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Thanks Justin. It's been a while. Cheers

[@kerryg4119]

Great video Cyp! Great idea and it came out looking very professional. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Kerry! Thanks, I think it came out splendid. Enjoy the holidays. Cheers

[@bonenfant96]

This is my next project. I also have an old hammer that needs a handle. Thanks for posting.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Robert! This was useful to me. I hope you find it useful. Cheers.

[@jimmiller4526]

Excellent job Cip. Long time no see, glad you're back. Have a happy Turkey day,

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Jim! It has been too long. Sometimes I have a hard time finding something new to do. I hope you enjoy the holiday.. Cheers

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

Welcome back sir very good job

[@CipsWoodChips]

Tomas! Thank you. It is good to hear from you. I hope you enjoyed the video. Cheers.

[@rhpsoregon]

Hi Cip, I just found your channel and really enjoyed your video. There's a tip I'd like to share with you that I learned back in high school shop class. My dad had an old ball peen with a broken handle. It was a big ol' hammer probably about 2-1/2 to 3#. Anyway, I took it into school to make a new handle for him. I was just going to make a round handle but the teacher showed me how to do offset turning. And here's the tip he gave me... when marking for the centers, use a drill to cut holes for the centers. For the drive center, use a band saw or hacksaw to cut grooves for the drive flanges. It'll give them better purchase in the wood and keep the centers from jumping and/or drifting if the offsets are too close to the other holes. BTW, I just subscribed and I can't wait to see your next project.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Mike! Good tips. I hope to make at least one mode video this year(2017). I do have a gallery of 83 videos. You may find a video of interest there. Kind Regards.

[@Benssawmill]

you do some really nice work sir. Great video keep up the good work.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Ben! Thanks and thank you for watching my video. It is all a learning process for me.

[@Benssawmill]

It's a learning process for us all.👍 The best people I find have no trouble admitting it. Keep up the good work I enjoy your channel.

[@The_Joker_]

I have an old Irish hammer that’s 1,400 years old, a really great hammer. It’s had 48 hands and 52 new heads but it’s still a great hammer. 😬

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Joker! Thank you for your comment. I hope you enjoyed the video. All the Best.

[@markh5889]

What about using calipers, set to the diameter you need? Just let them ride in the groove while using the parting tool. When the caliper slips over the wood it has reached the correct size. No need to stop the lathe every time to measure.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Mark! Sure, I stop and spin slower than a lot of turners. I often do it for the camera and viewers, cheers.

[@markh5889]

@@CipsWoodChips Ah yes! You have people watching. I got paid by the piece. Keep up the good work.

[@garywakefield9830]

great job

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Gary! Thank you for your comment, cheers.

[@josephsteffen2378]

Excellent! I really enjoyed this/your video. It quashed just about all of my doubts and anxieties.... Now, it's time to grab a stick and whittle away. I found a hammer the same weight, length, etc....: the dimensions are the same as the ones that you laid out. I wondered about the different styles of handles: whether it's for a "machinist", "engineer", "blacksmith", silversmith, etc. I guess there are reasons for the differences. Also, in that line of handles, I've noticed that oak is the species, most called out.??? Maybe because of its stiffness??? ...higher degree of control...at the cost of vibration (causing carpal tunnel syndrome...I heard was common to blacksmiths). I ain't no tradesman.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Joseph! Yes, there are differences. The claw hammer handle comes to mind. Claw Hammer handles need to be strong because through leverage they are used to pull nails. Machinist hammers rely mostly on velocity. Blacksmith hammer handles rely on brute force; thick handles with heavy heads, cheers.

[@TheWoodYogi]

Great job Cip :) It looks fantastic :) ॐ

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Wood Yogi! I think it turned out splendid. All the Best.

[@dougcaseltine2462]

will done Cip glad to see you back

[@CipsWoodChips]

Thanks Doug! I am always hoping to record more video. Cheers

[@charlless5429]

Learned a bunch, ty.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Charles! It was an interesting topic for me. Cheers

[@czellner5894]

Good job Cip! I enjoyed the turn and especially the way you walk us and yourself through your first off center turn. I've played around with it a couple times but never on a real project. I use a small Jet midi lathe and am wanting to buy a larger machine. The DVR is one of my top machines.machines. They are better than VFDs in my mind. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Hey there Charlie! I greatly enjoy my Nova DVR. The speed control is fantastic: Rpm is constant. It never slows down. I still have my Jet mini lathe. It does not get much use. Take care.

[@charleswilliams5729]

Interesting thank you

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Charles! Thank you for watching, cheers.

[@bc65925]

Really nice. I have been thinking about making some kind of a hammer handle pantograph for a router to make handles for blacksmith hammers.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting BC! Yes, there must be other ways to make a handle. This work out splendid for me. Good luck.

[@learntofencesco]

Thanks. Very useful!!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Coach Key! Thank you, cheers.

[@Faesharlyn]

This is awesome! What would happen if you had a sacrificial half inch at each end to cut some off for each turning? You could do all of the measuring at once, maybe drill tiny pilots to guide and keep the measurements? The center pin hole thats left would be to center it for sanding with a band sander maybe?

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Phoenix! Yes, there was some sanding required to smooth and blend the curves. A little extra length would have been welcomed. Kind Regards.

[@benmorris1657]

Could you put markings on your parting chisel to simplify how deep to cut each contour point?

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Ben! Interesting, I am not sure how that would help. If it helps you, OK, cheers.

[@knothead6436]

Very interesting, always wanted to turn oval , you could put some Swel -lock in the end of the handle to swell the wood to hard on tight. Check it out.

[@marcelobondoc3967]

Awesome

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greetings Marcelo! Thank you very much for your kind comment, cheers.

[@visumexcipio]

Cool. Fun to watch

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Visumexcipio! Thank you for watching. It was a fun to figure out how to do it. A lot more thinking than I am used to doing. Cheers.

[@Jamirobruno]

Welcome back!! :D

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greeting Jamiro! I hope you enjoyed the video. I always hope to record more. Cheers.

[@darrenscharringa298]

u need to sharpen your gouge and use it properly riding the bevel on an angle you should get a very smooth cut that way

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Darren! I did sharpen the gouge during the offset turning. I have to confess I am out of practice. I have not turned anything in seven months. Cheers.

[@brucebranecki2933]

It didn't turn out to bad for your first time at offset turning. The only thing that I have noticed the you use all of your tools as scrapers, you are not running the bevel and use the cutting edge.

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Bruce! That is very true about me and scrapers. I learned to turn wood in Jr. High and we only had scrapers and parting tools. Every time I pick up a gouge I have to practice and learn it again. I am by no means an expert. Cheers.

[@caspianx67]

Would it help to draw a pencil line lengthwise down the high sides as a reference? You'd know your offset cuts are deep enough when they get to the line...

[@sammylacks4937]

Vintage tools don't rust. That's patina . Oh I know you didn't clean off the patina. You'll be lucky to give it away now. With the handle. Lol

[@CipsWoodChips]

Greetings Sammy! Thanks for the info. The hammer does have nice patina, cheers. PS: one of my children is named Patina.

[@sammylacks4937]

@@CipsWoodChips How bout that lol. You did a fine job , I was messing with ya.

[@iuliuscaesar9121]

So the hammer handle goes in through the small oval and out through the larger one? 🤔

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Lulius! Yes, that is correct. When the wedge is pounded in, the wood expands tightly in the large oval end, cheers.

[@ebrahimtharwat9657]

nice work

[@CipsWoodChips]

Thank you, Ebrahim. It is fun to do something different.Cheers.

[@ebrahimtharwat9657]

Cip's Wood Chips keep going man🔝 from Egypt

[@davehaskett9268]

Nice job with the hammer handle Cip. I’m a neophyte turner and appreciate you sharing your techniques. I noticed the computer drawing in this and your super clamp video. Would you mind sharing the name of the software that you use? Thanks

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Dave! I did these drawings with Serif DrawPlus X8. The program was replaced by Serif Affinity Designer. These are drawing-art programs not CAD engineering programs. I can send you a PDF. Send an email to [e-mail] Cheers

[@davehaskett9268]

Cip's Wood Chips Thanks Cip. I’ll look it up.

[@hraun2berg]

Excellent Júlíus

[@CipsWoodChips]

Howdy Julius! Thank you for watching my video. Cheers

[@gord9677]

Well done Cip. Thanks to you and your videos I've learned a lot. I'm 70 and just learning wood turning. It's a lot of fun, and with your help I've learned a lot. What computer program do you use for your drawings? Thanks again. Bama Gord.

[@willy8477]

geweldig

[@CipsWoodChips]

Thank you!

[@vitriolix]

Hey, new video!!

[@CipsWoodChips]

Yes Josh, it's been a while. Have a happy thanksgiving. We're missing you all.

[@darrenscharringa298]

u should have shavings coming off not chips