Thirty Five Years Was a Good Run

[Ben]

Well, it was a good run, with the first few of the thirty five years actually working construction with it.

I'm replacing parts of the fence around the house area - one of those ranch style fences with 4x4s and 2x6s, and was probably misusing the thing, but couldn't find my cat's paw. So it cracked while I was yanking old nails out of 4x4s.

Anybody know a good source for replacement handles for the 28oz Vaughan?

[Hawkmoon]

Got a True Value anywhere near you?

http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&hardwarianState=3&keyword=hammer+handles

[Ben]

Got a True Value anywhere near you?

http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&hardwarianState=3&keyword=hammer+handles

Thanks. I'm actually looking for the Vaughan brand, since I really like the shape of the handle. Amazon only has them for the stupid sissy California 20oz hammers.

[230RN]

Go by some hickory tree seeds and wait another 35 years.

[French G.]

Call Vaughan? And get one of their new metal shank handled ones with a rubber grip, quite a nice hammer and made here.

[Perd Hapley]

35 years? Lame. I could tear up a hammer a whole lot faster than that.

[RoadKingLarry]

While it hasn't been in continuous use, I have a farrier's hammer that I use for light duty projects like assembling bee boxes. I know for a fact it is at least 50 years old.

For new serious use hammers I don't think you can go wrong with Estwing.

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks. I'm actually looking for the Vaughan brand, since I really like the shape of the handle. Amazon only has them for the stupid sissy California 20oz hammers.

This one looks pretty much like yours, and it says it's made for Vaughn 25-oz framing hammers:

http://www.truevalue.com/product/Hammer-Handle-Curved-Framing-Hickory-18-In-/42201.uts?keyword=hammer%20handles#fullDescription

[Fly320s]

With a new handle, it can last another 35 years.  Then, when the head breaks, replace it and you'll have a 70 year old hammer!

[brimic]

Be sure to sand the varnish off the new handle and treat it with BLO- your hands will thank you.

[MechAg94]

Go by some hickory tree seeds and wait another 35 years.

Just think, if he was really planning ahead, he could have planted that tree 35 years ago and have his own wood to make a new handle.   
 

[Ben]

Be sure to sand the varnish off the new handle and treat it with BLO- your hands will thank you.

Funny, I recently sanded down and refinished several weathered tool handles with linseed oil.

[Ben]

Call Vaughan? And get one of their new metal shank handled ones with a rubber grip, quite a nice hammer and made here.

That was the ticket. Vaughan website and they only want five ducats. I ended up finding one on amazon,  but they wanted $15. I was getting ready to just spend $30 on a new hammer at that price.

And yeah, I like that vaughan is still made here.

[French G.]

http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/16-OZ-Smooth-Face-Solid-Steel-Nail-Hammer-13-Handle__V3.aspx

That's the one I have, it was $10 on the walmart clearance shelf and I didn't buy them all like a dummy, kinda like the $20 Lodge dutch oven that I only bought one of.

[KD5NRH]

If I still had my lathe, I'd offer to work one up from Bois D'arc so your grandkids would have to burn the remnants out of the head to replace it.

Off-round stuff in a wood that tough is tricky, but worth it.  Gorgeous and as near indestructible as you're going to get short of welding in a solid carbon steel handle.

[RoadKingLarry]

Bois D'arc/Osage Orange is some good stuff.
I've got a hatchet head I've been thinking about making a handle for out of some of my less than premium bow stave stock.