OT (pickaxe)

[steve19438]

my pick keeps sliding down the handle. I thought of driving a wedge into the handle but thought I would ask you guys what you would do.

 

[Tall T]

Steve,

Step one for me is always to shape the handle with a rasp to get the fit that best approximates the pick's hole and so that the handle end will be flush with the steel.

T

 

[Tall T]

"approximates" ????

I should have said, "that best conforms to the pick's hole."

 

[2nTony]

Me? I'd soak the big end in a bucket of water overnight, or even for a whole day. The water will make the wood swell.

 

[K-n-L Country Farms]

(quoted from post at 07:59:11 04/27/16) my pick keeps sliding down the handle. I thought of driving a wedge into the handle but thought I would ask you guys what you would do

We started drilling a hole all the way through the pick's head and through the handle, and then put a 1/4" - 3/8" bolt n nut... been doing it this way for over ten years and so far we haven't had a single pick or mattock come loose again

 

[Tall T]

K-N-L,

I do that too but I thought I might get put down for saying so.
I've also drilled and driven a hardwood dowel through -- easy to cut the ends flush that way.

I've used a steel pin as well -- less obtrusive head and at the other end, a flat washer and just enough length of pin to peen over the washer.

T

 

[K-n-L Country Farms]

(quoted from post at 09:58:20 04/27/16)
K-N-L,

I do that too but I thought I might get put down for saying so.
I've also drilled and driven a hardwood dowel through -- easy to cut the ends flush that way.

I've used a steel pin as well -- less obtrusive head and at the other end, a flat washer and just enough length of pin to peen over the washer.

T

Good idea... would be nice not having a bolt head and nut sticking out where our hand sometimes ends up grabbing during those almost-out-of-control swingings on a job that just wanted done n out of the way quick as possible

 

[markct]

Soak it in diesel, water evaporates and right back to loose fit. Diesel stays in and also helps prevent rot

 

[BlackThumbHomesteader]

First of all; strip that shelaque off the handle and put some coats of linseed oil on it. That'll keep the wood from shrinking and help the fitment of the head. I agree that cutting a kerf for a wedge would be good, spread some wood glue along the wedge when you put it in and you should have a tight fit for quite a while.

don't bother with drilling a hole in the head, that's a path towards a split handle.

 

[gajack]

Got one here with a roofing nail on each side under the head. Fit it tight, drive the nails, go to work.
Has been that way for years digging in this Georgia red clay, prying rocks, moving stuff like railroad ties into place, etc. Just my way. Hope this helps, J

 

[Tall T]

K-n-L,

I always do the boiled linseed treatment mentioned as well.
Here's a shovel that I put the screws to about 10 years ago. Round headed screws are nicer and a shallow nut with bolt peened over.

In case anyone here doesn't know the difference between a junk shovel and a good one that won't crack. Here's a picture of the solid backs of this good one, as opposed to crappy hollow backed ones. The solid ones can still be found and are naturally more costly but well worth it.

I have to laugh when I see the modern hollow backed ones in an old western movie.
Terry

 

[Colin King]

A 3" hose clamp snugged up flush to the tool.

Colin, MN

 

[K-n-L Country Farms]

Don't bother going through all the work of stripping the shelaque, putting several coats of linseed oil on it, cutting a kerf, spreading wood glue on it, and then reassembling it... that's the long way, more labor way, and more materials way... can very simply, quickly, and cheaply drill a hole and put a bolt in it....done for years and years if not decades

"don't bother with drilling a hole in the head, that's a path towards a split handle."

like we said, been doing it this way for over 10 years and use our picks and mattocks quite a lot and still haven't had one split handle.

 

[jtc]

a pick ax is not supposed to be used above the head that is way they are made that way

 

[ericlb]

cant help, after i used one of these long enough to damage my discs in my back i plumb forgot what this is, or how to hold it, then bought a small backhoe which i now like much better

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 11:45:53 04/28/16) cant help, after i used one of these long enough to damage my discs in my back i plumb forgot what this is, or how to hold it, then bought a small backhoe which i now like much better

Yep, I always tell people that those kind of tools were not made for these hands. :wink: