Introduction: No Wiggle Handle

About: I miss the days when magazines like Popular Mechanics had all sorts of DIY projects for making and repairing just about everything. I am enjoying posting things I have learned and done since I got my first to…

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.