Scraper handles:

Re: Scraper handles:

Frank Joseph

Thank you, I have enjoyed every video you have made and watched them a few times, really glad you are making more...

Re: Scraper handles:

john lucas

Great video as always. For square tangs I simply drill a hole about the size of the flats. Heat the end red hot or close to it, let it cool just a little and then drive it in the hole. It will burn the the corners in and you won't even need to glue it. I usually dip it in water or put a wet rag on the steel next to the wood to cool it down.

in metal adapters?

John K Jordan

I would like to be able to use one handle for several tools with flat tangs.

Any ideas for cutting a rectangular slot in an adapter (to hold with set screws) without buying broaching equipment?

Maybe drill a series of holes and file square? Turn the adapter, cut in two, machine the slot, weld back together?

I'm not sure I like the idea of loose arc segments with flats to bear against the tang. Maybe machine a couple of arc segments and weld them into the hole then tap threads for long set screws?

I suspect some tool handle maker has already solved this.

JKJ

Re: in metal adapters?

john lucas

John I would machine the slot in 2 halves. Fasten them back together. Use a 4 jaw chuck to index the slot in where you want it and then turn the outside. You could probably drill some set screw holes before it's round. Or how about milling a shallow dovetail in one side to hold a thin brass dovetail gib for the set screws to push against to lock the tool in place. That wouldn't leave any set screw marks in your tools.

Re: Scraper handles:

robo hippy

A handle that features a 'removable' scraper/square tang could be nice. I would think either 2 piece with the square part milled into it, or some type of chuck option where it would close down on the square piece from all sides. I have the D Way handle in the clip, and the single knob does tighten down fairly securely, but they do tend to vibrate loose. I don't use the set screw because I would have to go to my box of allen wrenches to find the proper one.... Not really enough room for 2 twist knobs...

robo hippy

Re: Scraper handles:

John K Jordan

>I don't use the set screw because I would have to go to

>my box of allen wrenches

I've made a number of the round-shank adapters from aluminum and steel and beat the "Let's Try All the Hex Keys" game by using the same size set screw in every adapter. One T-handle hex key on a magnet on the end of the lathe fits all.

I'll give some though to how to make this with minimal machining. I wonder if someone makes a suitable extrusion. Or pay a machine shop to broach rectangular mortises in a bunch of short rod pieces. (too bad all my square tangs are not the same dimensions) Or maybe aluminum castings. Or do a "weld up" metal adapter similar to the "glue up" wooden handle.

JKJ

Re: Scraper handles:

Chuck Engstrom

I've made a couple of multi-tool handles that use compression fittings to hold tool shafts. If the tool comes with a square tang, I grind down the corners a bit and fix it into a piece of thin-wall brass tube with a mixture of epoxy and West System 404 High-Density High-Strength filler.

For use with our usual round-shaft tools the compression fittings generally have to be drilled out a bit, and the compression sleeve split with a hacksaw, to accommodate variations in shaft sizes -- most tools that claim to be, say, 1/2" are almost never spot-on at 0.500", most are a bit bigger.

knife makers file square

steven antonucci

At least the high end ones do on hidden tang knives? But it tends to be brass, and files are sharp...

S

Re: knife makers file square

John K Jordan

I can't imagine filing through 2". A sinker EDM machine could probably make the holes quickly but at high cost in low volumes. Perhaps a suitable slot could be milled if done from both ends but that would take forever on my mill.

I'm starting to think it would be easiest (for me) to machine a half the hole in two bars, weld the halves together, then turn the adapter.

JKJ

Compression fittings

John K Jordan

I like that idea! I might prefer steel cylinders instead of brass that I could secure in an adapter with set screws.

Re: Compression fittings

Dick Strauss

Have you searched for "square hole sleeves"? They should work well with the tools that use square tangs. If you are willing to give up the strength of the extra metal on the tang, you could also grind you tangs square to fit the sleeves.

square hole sleeves

John K Jordan

Never heard of them but found them easily. Yikes, $20 each in small quantities, but one is long enough for two handles. I prefer to keep the tangs original size for strength but could tack weld fat steel shims inside the hole.

Re: square hole sleeves

Dick Strauss

I know I saw better pricing than that the last time I searched. Try ebay for better pricing...