Hammer wedges

[Lurker]

I am making up a small kit of tools for my nephew.

I need to rehandle a claw hammer.
I was planning on using a beech wedge, but have just noticed a round ribbed tube one on t’internet.
Never seen one before. I have a small metal lathe so could easily knock one up.

Any opinions?

 

[novocaine]

designed for production as they can be machine inserted.
use your wooden wedges, they are equal if not better as they swell.

 

[Lurker]

designed for production as they can be machine inserted.
use your wooden wedges, they are equal if not better as they swell.

True, but they also dry out .
Further…… holding my hammer head vertically, I have always put the wedge in vertically also, but was wondering if horizontal was better.

Being retired, I may just have the luxury of over thinking stuff :lol:

 

[Cabinetman]

Probably not what you want to hear – sorry, never had any luck with wooden handles on claw hammers it’s probably me just being too rough but I always use a cheap one with a metal handle and rubber grip, Wilkos own are as good as anyone’s.

 

[spb]

Further…… holding my hammer head vertically, I have always put the wedge in vertically also, but was wondering if horizontal was better.

That's another possible advantage of the tube ones - a single wedge expands it in both directions. How important that is will depend on the age and design of your hammer head.

 

[AndyT]

Looking at hammers in my possession, I see that the bigger ones have a wooden wedge first, then a ribbed metal wedge at right angles. Smaller ones just have a metal wedge.

I expect metal hammer wedges are no longer easily available wired onto a little card, but any bit of scrap steel could be worked up with a file and hacksaw.
Alternatively, saw two slots in the end, glue in one wide wooden wedge across, then a pair of narrow ones in the remaining gaps.

 

[Lurker]

I have a tobacco tin full of proper metal wedges, thanks Dad (or maybe Boulton and Pauls where I suspect he acquired them some 50 years ago!).
Edit: 65 years ago, I keep forgetting how old I am :eusa-doh:

I have fitted the handle to the head and it’s as tight as a tight thing.
Will fit a wooden wedge, more to tidy up the handle face than anything.
Will reserve the metal wedge for fitting at right angles for the future.

I don’t like metal shafted hammers.
I do however have a slight lust for a top of the range estwing.

 

[Mike G]

.....I do however have a slight lust for a top of the range estwing.

Repent, sinner!

 

[novocaine]

I like wooden shafts, I don't like metal ones and that includes the supposidly wonderful estwing.
if the shaft breaks, I replace it, if it works loose (never had a claw hammer work loose) I can chuck it in the bath for an hour and it's no longer loose (or in thin oil if I'm feeling posh).
no grip to wear out, nothing to get sticky and gross.

each to their own I guess.

 

[Just4fun]

if it works loose (never had a claw hammer work loose) I can chuck it in the bath for an hour and it's no longer loose (or in thin oil if I'm feeling posh).

I heard a suggestion that soaking in diesel was good because it took much longer to dry out again than if soaked in water. Never tried it myself though.

 

[Raymedullary]

One of my hammers is 120yrs old............. you know the rest!

Not answering the original question (as its the two wedge response above) but, top tip for hammers, is to make the head face almost to a polished finish and you will never bend a nail again.

 

[Lurker]

One of my hammers is 120yrs old............. you know the rest!

Not answering the original question (as its the two wedge response above) but, top tip for hammers, is to make the head face almost to a polished finish and you will never bend a nail again.

Ooo, that reminds me that I have a claw hammer in the loft that’s got metal straps down the sides of the handle. I’ll dig it and photograph it.

Yes, I am of the polish my head school of thought already!

 

[AndyT]

Ooo, that reminds me that I have a claw hammer in the loft that’s got metal straps down the sides of the handle. I’ll dig it and photograph it.

Is it like this little one? Known as a Kentish pattern. I'm pretty sure that the Romans made hammers like this. The end of the shaft is hidden under solid metal.

 

[AndyT]

Sorry, not Roman, I was misremembering some in the Museum of London. Still quite an old design though - Durer included one in his famous Melancolia, in 1514:

 

[novocaine]

Sorry, not Roman, I was misremembering some in the Museum of London. Still quite an old design though - Durer included one in his famous Melancolia, in 1514:

yer, but he also includes a kid playing on it's phone sooooooo.

 

[AndyT]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[clogs]

I've several Estwings over the years inc a California framers hammer...thats with cross hatch grooves and a an extra long shaft......
In all my life I have never seen one of those break a shaft even after being driven over by a truck.....
the only prob was the leather washers dried out and fell apart...but these are easy to fix.....
the rubber handled ones feel like rubbish by comp...

My father had some beautiful hammers but my brother promptly stole em ....grrrr.......
what does a drunk need a hammer for......?

Lastly a dear friend who just died, gifted me his Estwing claw hammer.....
That I shall treasure that for the rest of my days....
Not sure who's gonna get mine yet...........when it's my turn....

 

[Lurker]

Here’s the old one, any idea how old?
Shiny is a liberal coating of linseed, now gone hard.

 

[AndyT]

Here’s the old one, any idea how old?
Shiny is a liberal coating of linseed, now gone hard.

I'd say somewhere between "quite old" and "very old"!

Seriously, it's hard to say for a design that was made for so long. In his Dictionary of Woodworking Tools, Salaman noted that the design appears as a standard one in Smith's Key in 1816.

It's still shown in the Marples catalogue of 1938 and probably later still.

 

[phill05]

Ooo, that reminds me that I have a claw hammer in the loft that’s got metal straps down the sides of the handle. I’ll dig it and photograph it.

Is it like this little one? Known as a Kentish pattern. I'm pretty sure that the Romans made hammers like this. The end of the shaft is hidden under solid metal.

View attachment 2

View attachment 1

Andy, Here is another with sideburns:



Phill

 

[Lurker]

Unusual shape, does anyone know if it has a specific purpose?

 

[phill05]

Unusual shape, does anyone know if it has a specific purpose?

What I have been able to find out it is a Brades 1944 stamped GPO made me think it a form of tack hammer.

Also found these in the tool chest:





5 1/2p or in old money 1/1 = 1 shilling 1 penny

Phill

 

[AndyT]

Brilliant!

I'd not got round to looking in catalogues but I am sure you have got it there.

And those cards of wedges are exactly what I remember from my childhood, playing in the garage where dad did his DIY jobs.