Removing fibreglass from a sledgehammer head?

**Winston001** · 19th April 2011, 19:06

There I was happily driving a wedge through a block of firewood, and the head of the sledgehammer fell off.

I've replaced wooden handles but never had a fibreglass one break. So how do I clean out the fibreglass from the head? It is epoxyed in.

Dad used to put axe heads in the fire - worth a go?

**JimO** · 19th April 2011, 19:13

well it will burn out, dont know about fitting it back onto the handle though, whats the worst thing that can happen if the head flies off??

**FJRider** · 19th April 2011, 19:22

Actually it may be cheaper to buy a complete hammer at the same price as a handle ...

Putting the axe heads in a fire got the handle out .... but destroyed any heat treatment the axe head had ... and it would require sharpening more often ...

**nadroj** · 19th April 2011, 21:08

Originally Posted by FJRider

Actually it may be cheaper to buy a complete hammer at the same price as a handle ...

Putting the axe heads in a fire got the handle out .... but destroyed any heat treatment the axe head had ... and it would require sharpening more often ...

Can I send you my sledgehammer for sharpening?

**LBD** · 19th April 2011, 21:24

Originally Posted by FJRider

Actually it may be cheaper to buy a complete hammer at the same price as a handle ...

Takes the fun out of it...

Drill a few holes all the way through the remaining handle in the head and punch it out...Does not matter if the drill follows the edge of the steel head, the plastic is softer....and roughing up the steel surface inside the head will help the next handle stay on.

And besides, a good bit of hickory is way more satisfying to hold and swing than a bit of fiberglass or plastic...and it breathes and grips better

**ellipsis** · 19th April 2011, 21:29

Originally Posted by LBD

Takes the fun out of it...

Drill a few holes all the way through the remaining handle in the head and punch it out...Does not matter if the drill follows the edge of the steel head, the plastic is softer....and roughing up the steel surface inside the head will help the next handle stay on.

And besides, a good bit of hickory is way more satisfying to hold and swing than a bit of fiberglass or plastic...and it breathes and grips better

...give that man 1st prize...

**Winston001** · 19th April 2011, 21:41

Originally Posted by LBD

Takes the fun out of it...

Drill a few holes all the way through the remaining handle in the head and punch it out...Does not matter if the drill follows the edge of the steel head, the plastic is softer....and roughing up the steel surface inside the head will help the next handle stay on.

And besides, a good bit of hickory is way more satisfying to hold and swing than a bit of fiberglass or plastic...and it breathes and grips better

Dang right.

Ok, job done. I drilled out as much as I could and then stuck it in the woodburner. The head was redhot so I cautiously pulled it out and found the fibreglass was soft and pliable. A few prods with a poker and Voila - clen hole.

I've banged the (now-shorter) fibreglass handle back in and spread some epoxy to bind the lot. Unfortunately it only went halfway in so might be shortlived but good fun.

**Winston001** · 19th April 2011, 21:49

I do prefer wooden handles but have to be fair and say the fibreglass ones are very strong.

I have a wooden maul with a steel pipe handle (a Dad original) and its excellent.

I have used holly to make handles. It is strong, flexible, and available free. Holly grows as a weed in bush margins. Manuka is brilliant, just a matter of finding some which isn't in a protected area. Ash is the traditional English wood and hickory is even better.

Any other ideas? Steel pipe does work provided the vibration isn't too severe.

**Laava** · 19th April 2011, 21:49

Can you re-count your toes next weekend and check back in?

**DrunkenMistake** · 19th April 2011, 22:50

Buy a log splitter, Problem sorted.

Nah just taking the piss,
Just buy a whole new hammer man its cheaper and easier, So long as you look after the wooden ones they wont break for a few years at least.