sledgehammer restoration !!

[bentech]

oh and I forgot to mention
but is seems your noticing that this outward force ive mentioned will decrease from the hammered end of the wedges to their tip which is in the direction of the handle itself

this, in additions to the to spreading force I previously mentioned also creates a force pressing the metal tool downward onto the handle

further securing the arrangement

[bentech]

and if your handle is less than 24 inches long
onces to head is seated onto the handle in a direction you want it to go

you can hold it at arms length in front of you and use another heavy hammer in the other hand to strike upward on the handle

this will drive it into the tool end very efficiently

but due take care in between each hit to mind that the tool and handle are still in proper orientation to each other

each blow can turn the head out of alignment of its socket with the handle being inserted

correct this alignment before additional driving blows whenever its seen to be out of line

[dill786]

thanks ben, i have not got the handle yet but it will be 36 inches in length.. the sledgehammer is 10 pound in weight

need to drill the core out of the head and then am gonna take all the rust of it so it silver colour again, i might have a can of car spray ( red) in the tool box so i might spray it red !!!

i have some distilled vinegar thats been out of date for a while so after i got the core wood out of the head i might sink it in the acid for 24 hours or more, then ill sand it down, i have the bench grinder so i may even use that

[dill786]

i have these laying around and i have never used them i got them in sale years ago, they attach to the drill chuck so maybe this way will be quicker....

[bentech]

none of those wire wheels nor a caustic agent are going to do a bit of different to the tool head future to the business end of a future handle mating with that chunk of steel

[Lrus007]

i always have burned handles out. build a little or big fire and toss in.
after in fire a while or after fires out next day. tap the old handle piece out.
then hit with your wire wheel and paint. handles are pretty easy to replace.
when young many farmers had broken handle tools sitting around. i would
ask if i could have them. mauls, sledge's always was yes so got many sizes still.
Lrus007

[dill786]

whats the best technique to take of all the grime then?

[Prawn Connery]

Acid.

[Prawn Connery]

I'm on an acid trip.

[Prawn Connery]

Brass wire brushes are pretty soft and you'll probably wear them down before you remove all the rust. Try it, but steel wire is best. Or you could use acid.