Does anyone have a source of wedges for hammer heads? OR how to make the wedge. I’m a member of a studio with so many hammers in need of love and restoration before they end up useless. And the cost of new handles is prohibitive. Do wedges need to be of carbon steel? Is there a best material AND shape for wedges so that the handle and head stay together welll and not loose for a long time? Suggestions and ideas WELCOME. and thank you!
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Some well-stocked hardware stores will carry a small selection.
However, you can order individual sizes or an assortment from McMaster-Carr.
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You can also make your own wooden wedges. Just cut them from a relatively incompressible hardwood, like hickory or black locust.
They tend to need snugging up more often than metal ones, but they work perfectly fine.
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You probably know this, but just in case. At some point loose hammer heads wear away the wood on the handles so much there’s not much that you can do but to replace the hammer handle. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way in my personal studio and in group studio situations.
In many parts of the world there are wide swings in humidity levels, which makes the wood handles swell and shrink and loosen the hammer heads. That’s a common reason for hammer heads loosening up. It can be hard to always keep tightening hammer heads as they loosen up with multiple users in a group studio.
Sorry that I don’t have any magic answers for you, but as Elliot says McMaster-Carr has a great assortment of wedges. McMaster-Carr also has replacement hickory handles too.
A hammer head that is solid on its handle is a wonderful thing!
Best of luck!!
Jeff
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Here’s an old Orchid thread on this topic with a number of solutions. I’ve used the screw in the handle technique before with some success.
Jeff
I have used chairloc to tighten up a loose hammer handle. I don’t know if it is even still available as I bought my bottle years ago. Since it is now empty, I better see if I can find more…Rob
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Humidity swings can destroy any wooden handle encased in solid unforgiving block steel, because the humidity causes the wood to swell, crushing the fiber in the wood because the steel not also expanding. When the humidity drops, the handle will suddenly be loose.
I have tried screws to retighten handles, with only moderate success, because, other than at the very point there is no taper to a screw.
It is easy enough though to cut pieces of brass or iron into small wedge shapes, which can be drived into the wood, but after you have done this one or two times (and I have put several wedges in, trying), you will just need to bite the bullet, and invest in new handles.
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Lots of wedge options available on the Amazon or Ace hardware sites. Just do a search for “handle wedges”.
It’s cheaper to make them from wood in one’s own studio, but wooden wedges can be difficult to install if one can’t get the head off the handle to make or modify a vertical cut to accommodate the wedge. I’ve used metal wedges before and they worked well for me without having to remove the handle. I’ve never tried the ring shaped metal wedges. People I know that have tried them tend to either love or hate them, no middle ground.
Making new handles is not difficult, but it is time-consuming. However, I view this as an opportunity to upgrade loose handles with custom made replacements made from tropical hardwood.
The woods traditionally used for making tool handles are hickory and ash due to their properties.
However, small jewelry hammer handles can be made from any reasonably durable wood. I personally prefer tropical hardwoods because they are durable, are extremely resistant to expansion and contraction caused by seasonal changes in humidity (which is why they’re prized for making fine heirloom-quality furniture), are incredibly beautiful, and are a sheer joy to use.
I have a local WoodCraft Supply store that sells sample packs for wood turners, and many of these woods make beautiful and highly durable handles. If you don’t have one near you, they have a website:
Another potential source of wood is your local “big box” home center. Most have a wood section with a good selection of species to choose from, including both domestic and tropical hardwoods…
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I live in Manitoba with very very dry cold winters. The wood handles of my hammers dry out. The solution is to soak the heads of the hammers in antifreeze. I fill a container of it to just cover the heads and about 1/2 of the handle above the head. Soak over night. Keep the container away from pets and children as it is poisonous. The metal won’t rust. Just wipe off the antifreeze with a cloth and your hammer wood has the moisture restored. Won’t damage hammer head. Works with amazing results. I do this once a year. The wood fibers swell up and are good to go.
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Just soak the area with super glue. Soak the top and bottom where the handle enters the head and let harden. I’ve got chasing hammers that have lasted several years.
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