No Wiggle Handle

We needed to scrape old glue from floors. These extension handles screw into the end of a handheld scraper to make it easier to use. But, the blue plastic threads are not anchored firmly, and allow the scraper to wiggle in use. This Instructable will show how I solved the problem.

Materials

• 1 inch radiator hose clamp

Tools

• Dremel tool and cutting wheel
• 5/16 inch socket wrench

Step 1: Cut Slots

I cut four slots in the steel tube equally spaced around the steel tube just behind the end of the tube. I made them long enough to reach the hidden end of the threaded plastic.

Step 2: Add the Clamp

Slide the hose clamp over the end of the handle. Tighten it firmly. Bend the tail of the clamp as tightly as possible to follow the contour of the metal tube.

Step 3: Screw on the Scraper

Extend the length of the handle to suit your height. Screw the scraper onto the handle. Make it tight.

Step 4: Use

The scraper may unscrew just a little in use. Check it periodically.

Scraping old glue from a floor in preparation for a new floor is hard work. Wearing gloves helps. I found it also helped to sharpen the front edge of the scraper periodically. A clerk at the home improvement store also recommended a chemical solution that was effective in loosening old glue and linoleum on plywood, but did not have much effect on particle board. There a high revolutions per minute multi-tool with a scraper blade worked. But, I was careful to stop and let the tool cool down every few minutes. I also removed gummy glue from the cutting edge with a knife. And, I periodically sharpened the blade on the multi-tool.

Comments

[gritz]

Great idea. I had a really nice push broom that had the same problem. Loose and wobbly. I ended up drilling a small hole from the outer ring into the center and used a short sheetrock fine theaded screw.

[Phil B]

Thank you. I trust your screw did the job.

[josh]

this is amazing! thanks for sharing this. those cheap poles have always driven me batty.

[Phil B]

thank you. I am glad you can use it.

[Hashem_Mehyar]

paint thinner does wonders with glue

[Phil B]

Thank you. The job is finished, now. At the time we asked for information at a home improvement supplies store. They recommended a can of solvent, and that helped a lot with the glue in some areas. But, it did not help much with glue on other surface types. The person who helped us admitted there is no easy way. I looked at a number of videos on YouTube, too. None were especially helpful. It was just a long slow task.

[WoodPlay]

Great idea Phil. Really like this. You may be interested in this product. I have one and it does everything it claims.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=59452&cat=1,43456

[graydog111]

I made a copy of the tool shown at the leevalley.com site and then found I could use a pop rivet tool to make wire hose clamps. I published an Instructable in March 2013 here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Wire-Hose-Clamp/. It works great and I have made many wire hose clamps.

[Phil B]

I saw a special tool for making wire clamps demonstrated at a trade show and thought about trying to make the tool, but never did. Thank you for the idea of using a pop rivet gun to make wire clamps.

[emerson.john]

WoodPlay, thinks for the Clamptite tip. I need one of those! I found this video on use of the tool (which I have ordered). https://youtu.be/cBhkp-DZMrE

[jcloud7]

Very nice

[Phil B]

Thank you, and thank you for looking.

[neo71665]

Interesting idea. We always just drill a hole through it and install a bolt and nut.

[Phil B]

That would eliminate wiggle in line with the screw, but not at a right angle to the screw. This eliminates all movement.