One of my hobbies

[randyt]

One of my favorite activities is to scrounge up broken tools and fix them or put in new handles. I come across lots of tools needing handes. Usually rusted up too. These tool heads are usually cheap or free. Many times they are better than a new one. I probably have way too many tools

 

[backlash]

I probably have way too many tools

That's not even possible.
My problem is I can usually buy a new tool for what a handle cost.

 

[Neb]

That's not even possible.
My...

At first thought I agreed but then I remembered my g-father basement where he had boxes filled with screwdrivers etc.

My father went through his collection and "help correct the problem".

Ben

 

[randyt]

That's not even possible.
My problem is I can usually buy a new tool for what a handle cost.

I find that the older tools are much better quality than most newer ones. I would rather pay more for a handle or make it from scratch.

 

[joel]

I thought I was the only one doing that.
I worked for a Fortune 500 company, people would throw tools in the trash. Screwdrivers with broken tips, rusty tools, gunked up tools, missing or broken handles. Nutdrivers & hex keys, I would clean them up.
I have 25 box cutters, boss gave them to me because thay were not safety type. I found 12 turnbuckles in the trash, new never used, ask the boss, she said no one signed them out in over a year, so out they go.
I ask her for a pass & took them home. I looked them up in catalog-$25.00, 12 X $25.00 =$300.00

 

[hiwall]

make it from scratch.

I like to make handles from scratch. And it keeps me busy.

 

[Morgan101]

Coming from someone with no mechanical skills, all I can say is tool is a four letter word. You remember all of those jokes about the shortest books ever written? My contribution would be "Things I Have Fixed".

I learned very early on the only two things a home workshop needs is a telephone, and the Yellow Pages. You can tell how old that saying is. I also learned a long time ago to do the things I can, so I can afford to pay someone to do the things I can't.

Believe me, you are all very blessed to have those mechanical skills. I wish I had some.

 

[randyt]

here a few photos

cant hooks

rehandled using a broken handle from a longer shovel

couple axes, one birch and one ash

new handle on a little paring knife

 

[SheepDog]

I have gone so far as to make a handle from a tree branch for hatchets and hammers. I regrind screwdriver tips and then heat treat them. (even Phillips head screwdrivers)
I can repair most things or make new ones that are better.

 

[joel]

Hickory is best in this part of the country, for handles.

 

[randyt]

hickory is best all around but it don't grow around here. Many times I'll use a broken hickory handle from something else and work it over.

 

[Alaskajohn]

I’m a tool junkie, with a particular love for anything old and odd. You can never have too many tools!

 

[Bacpacker]

same with me AJ

 

[joel]

I’m a tool junkie, with a particular love for anything old and odd. You can never have too many tools!

So am I, anything that does not use batteries, electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics or digital controls. Basically 18 & 19 CENTURY Hand Tools. Anvils,vises,hammers,saws,planes,squares & levels,drills,levers & ramps, Block & tackle, Screws & wedges.
I am looking for a Chanese wheelbarrow, have not found one, yet.

 

[joel]

hickory is best all around but it don't grow around here. Many times I'll use a broken hickory handle from something else and work it over.

2760 Osage Orange (USA)

1820

Hickory

1548	Honey Locust

1450	Hard Maple

1335

White Oak

1320

White Ash

1220

Red Oak

4380	Lignum Vitae (Genuine

https://www.bellforestproducts.com/info/janka-hardness/Maybe these will do.

 

[Dalewick]

2760 Osage Orange (USA)

1820

Hickory

1548	Honey Locust

1450	Hard Maple

1335

White Oak

1320

White Ash

1220

Red Oak

4380	Lignum Vitae (Genuine

https://www.bellforestproducts.com/info/janka-hardness/Maybe these will do.

Careful using red oak for anything that will get much sweat on it in porcupine country. Red Oak has a tubular cellular (permeable), structure that allows liquids to pass through or soak in (can't be used for barrels). You can actually blow air through it. White oak is solid and makes great barrels.

Mesquite makes tough handles for tools that don't get impacts like axes and makes some beautiful gun stocks.

Dale

 

[joel]

Mesquite was not on my chart, but it is harder than the others, but not as hard as 2760 Osage Orange. It is also beautiful grain pattern, like flames.
It is one of many woods I wished grew here in South Carolina. It is one of the many good things in the South West.

 

[Aerindel]

Anything metal I love fixing.....I dislike working with wood however.

 

[joel]

In my job I worked with metal,wood, plastic, rubber & cement.
They all have their place, but wood is the hardest to master.
I do not know this as a master, but because I worked with one.
I learned a lot, but will never be at his level, mostly because I started about 30 years to late.

 

[hiwall]

Anything metal I love fixing.....I dislike working with wood however.

Same here.
Back when I was gunsmithing, I charged extra for any stock work because I did not like it.

 

[Neb]

Same here.
Back when I was gunsmithing, I charged extra for any stock work because I did not like it.

A piece of wood is a lot like a woman. Each is unique and has their own personality that you have to discover to avoid disaster.

Ben

 

[Bacpacker]

I am far from good working with wood. But I do enjoy it. Working to expouse a grain or color can be so cool. I do wish I had started as a young man though. Not nearly enough life left to get good at it.

 

[Neb]

I am far from good working with wood. But I do enjoy it. Working to expouse a grain or color can be so cool. I do wish I had started as a young man though. Not nearly enough life left to get good at it.

It smells better.

Ben

 

[Bacpacker]

Yes it does. Well except when your trying not to burn a piece of cherry while trying to route it. Ask me how I know.

Cherry and Walnut are my favorites. Cherry is not easy to work with. But when you get it right, not much looks better

 

[Meerkat]

I am far from good working with wood. But I do enjoy it. Working to expouse a grain or color can be so cool. I do wish I had started as a young man though. Not nearly enough life left to get good at it.

You never know BacP, even if not perfected you can still enjoy it, if you get enough time from work and gardening.

 

[Bacpacker]

Yeah got a few years before that happens. I do enjoy it. Need to improve my shop to do very much.

 

[hiwall]

Walnut makes me sneeze

 

[Patchouli]

Darnit. You mean I'm not going to have time to perfect let alone start my woodworking skills?

Since each wood is so different, does this mean that practicing on a cheaper wood like pine would be okay, but nothing like working with the real thing...black walnut, cherry, alder, oak, mesquite, or whatever...?
Not that I like importing wood not common to an area, but someone posted about living in the Carolinas and not having mesquite there. I would think it would grow there well enough. I love the smell of it in a hot forest. Smells AWESOME. Cooking in a barbecue -- heavenly! Didn't know it was popular to use with weapons.

 

[Bacpacker]

Working with pine is much different than most hardwoods. But could useful to practice joinery with. One I would recommend if you have access to it is popular. It is a hardwood but much softer than cherry or maple. It has a nice color and grain to it as well. My dad built the wife a pie safe from it. Its a really nice piece.

 

[randyt]

Finished up a couple. When I was in kaintuck cleaning my brother's house out, I found a old floor scraper. It sorta like a straight hoe. Anyhoo typical for my brother it had a broken handle. I picked up a handle at home depot for 6 bucks and filled it up. Also a few years back I went to a trappers convention and was camping out on public land. Mainly to save money and all the local hotels were filled up. Someone had dumped a bunch of trash out there. It looked like a old outbuilding. I found a splitting maul head laying there. I brought it home. The other day I picked up a fiberglass handle from the hardware, maybe 16 bucks. I put it together and epoxied it. These fiberglass handles are made to be epoxied in with a handle epoxy. Not a big fan of fiberglass handles but they do take the weather well.