Hammer handle from a large threaded rod and PVC

For this Instructable you will be making a super strong hammer handle from a large section of threaded rod, and PVC. 
 
Materials: 
--hammer head
--a large bolt that is about 1 foot long
--2 nuts that fit onto the bolt, whatever size that may be
--gorilla glue
--scrap PVC
--heat gun--optional, I guess
--bench vice--if you use the heat gun

Step 1: Break a handle!

I guess this is the part when you either pull a little too hard, turn it the wrong way, or your hammer is just a bit too old. Since I'm me, however, I forgot you're not supposed to pull non-metal hammers straight back when pulling nails and I naturally applied way too much force and broke it. I break my tools a lot. After the 'Oh, crap!' moment; you need a new hammer handle. 

Comments

[cart562]

Pretty much right after I made the first one I made the large hammer handle here and just recently I made the handle for this hatchet that I was just waiting to break on me. I quite like both of them but the bolt I used for the hammer is really thick so it ended up being super heavy, not quite ideal for hammering nails but good for just smashing things.

[Phil B]

This is very clever. I would think the nut on the upper end of the hammer would make it a little less easy to use for pulling nails with the claw. The nice curved edge that facilitates rolling the hammer while pulling the nail is interrupted.

[pfred2]

I agree Phil that this probably isn't the best method to fix a claw hammer. Fitting a wooden handle properly might be tricky though if someone does not possess some skills, know a few tricks, whatever one wants to call it. I have a few tricks today that makes it come out good for me.

Lots of folks have written about putting handles on hammers though so I'm not going to bother doing that. I did put up an article on this site about making a hammer head.

That is something I've only done once myself so far. Once I got done with it I had to fit a handle to it though.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Brass-Hammer-Build/

[blkhawk]

Great project! I have tried to replace handles the conventional way but they always end up broken after a few times. This is a great solution for a broken hammer handle.

[l8nite]

neat save ! I would have used locktite or a double nut on the top to ensure it doesn't come loose, better yet would be a long bolt.. thank you for sharing

[cart562]

Can you get large bolts with threads so close to the top? If you can then yes that would be much better but what can I say? I use what I've got

[l8nite]

I wasn't faulting your idea, I'm well aware that using whats on hand sometimes limits you. My suggestion was more for someone else who may try this (like myself) Long bolts are available at a good builders supply if not at the big box home improvement stores. I don't think that if they were a little shorter than the handle it would make a big difference as long as there is enough to securly grab the epoxy

[pfred2]

I used a lower control arm bolt as a handle for one of my hammers. Then I glued a rubber handle I got off a cheap axe onto it. You can see it in this picture:

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5993/t5001.jpg

It is pretty indestructible now.