Anyone know where to find a good article on making your own handles? Some of my Sorby tools could use a longer handle. I did a search in here but didn't find anything.
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Making Handles
- Thread starter Simoli
- Start date
Alan Lacer has an article he wrote at http://www.alanlacer.com/Articles.html I haven't tried the methods mentioned, but they look reasonable.
Marking Handles
Alan Lacer also includes a demo on making tool handles in his video "Son of Skew" which is very helpful.
Alan Lacer also includes a demo on making tool handles in his video "Son of Skew" which is very helpful.
How is the "son of skew" ? I mostly use a spindle gouge for spindle work, using the skew for peel cuts & v-cuts. I have always been intriqued by the plane cut because of the finish folks say they get with it.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Send me an e-mail and I'll send you my word document on making handles. Johnclucas@charter.net
Handles
Alan Lacer has some info on handles, I have that information. It all in the moving van. You can contact him at his web site.
www.alanlacer.com.
Ed
Alan Lacer has some info on handles, I have that information. It all in the moving van. You can contact him at his web site.
www.alanlacer.com.
Ed
handles
I made some handles with Alan Lacer at the Mark Adams school in April. I went to Lowes which had the copper pipe fittings 3/4" with the solder in it all ready and they were on clearance for the ferrel. My experience is that you can make the handle too long I did, and make it fit your hand comfortably. I am going to experiment with a cushioned grip at some point in the future.
ED
I made some handles with Alan Lacer at the Mark Adams school in April. I went to Lowes which had the copper pipe fittings 3/4" with the solder in it all ready and they were on clearance for the ferrel. My experience is that you can make the handle too long I did, and make it fit your hand comfortably. I am going to experiment with a cushioned grip at some point in the future.
ED
wood or metal?
Jim,
You didn't mention wood or metal, I gather it is wood. After the Ky. symposium I was motivated to make a few things and aluminum handles happened to be one of them. (I know woodwish I said I'd send one your way). I came across a web site from Florida I believe and a gentleman who had an article in their newsletter. He was dealing with an illness in the family and I took that information and proceeded to make my own. Working for an aluminum manufacturer it seemed to be the right fit.
If you're interested in aluminum (I've made wood also), go to onlinemetals.com and search for aluminum tube and the I.D. you want,then order the correct length. There are some considerations relating to wall thickness and such but you'll wade through that. I ordered 6061 t6 alloy for the strength. Once this arrived I went to the local home center and picked up a tap and die for the threads (3/8 x 20 I think) and some set screws and I was set. With the tube in hand I proceeded to the plumbing section and found some reinforced plastic tubing for the outer portion of the handle and I've been using them ever since. Keep in mind there are some differences in tool shaft diameter and such. This hasn't seemed to be a problem, in fact I have inserted a small piece of aluminum pipe into a larger one to accomadate the smaller shaft of a detail gouge. Good luck.
Mike
Jim,
You didn't mention wood or metal, I gather it is wood. After the Ky. symposium I was motivated to make a few things and aluminum handles happened to be one of them. (I know woodwish I said I'd send one your way). I came across a web site from Florida I believe and a gentleman who had an article in their newsletter. He was dealing with an illness in the family and I took that information and proceeded to make my own. Working for an aluminum manufacturer it seemed to be the right fit.
If you're interested in aluminum (I've made wood also), go to onlinemetals.com and search for aluminum tube and the I.D. you want,then order the correct length. There are some considerations relating to wall thickness and such but you'll wade through that. I ordered 6061 t6 alloy for the strength. Once this arrived I went to the local home center and picked up a tap and die for the threads (3/8 x 20 I think) and some set screws and I was set. With the tube in hand I proceeded to the plumbing section and found some reinforced plastic tubing for the outer portion of the handle and I've been using them ever since. Keep in mind there are some differences in tool shaft diameter and such. This hasn't seemed to be a problem, in fact I have inserted a small piece of aluminum pipe into a larger one to accomadate the smaller shaft of a detail gouge. Good luck.
Mike
Mike,
Have you found an easy way to force the plactic tubing onto the metal handle? I have tried it with drill rod and tubing and have had a time of it. I am looking for an easy way.
Hugh
Have you found an easy way to force the plactic tubing onto the metal handle? I have tried it with drill rod and tubing and have had a time of it. I am looking for an easy way.
Hugh
Not a problem
No Hugh I haven't but I haven't tried it with drill rod. The home center carries so many sizes of reinforce vinyl tubing I just found one that seemed to be close to the od and used a squirt of silicon and I talked it on. It got a little more difficult toward the end but it worked. You can always trim a little off. Another thing I did was sand a roundover on the ends just to make them a little more friendly.
No Hugh I haven't but I haven't tried it with drill rod. The home center carries so many sizes of reinforce vinyl tubing I just found one that seemed to be close to the od and used a squirt of silicon and I talked it on. It got a little more difficult toward the end but it worked. You can always trim a little off. Another thing I did was sand a roundover on the ends just to make them a little more friendly.
Vinyl Tube Installation
I have tried soaking tube in hot water for other applications and it eases things a bit. Also, I wonder if cutting a slit in the tube, putting it over some silicone caulk, or spray adhesive, and then "clamping" it with tape till dry would work. Don't think the cut line would really be a bother, but one never knows....
I have tried soaking tube in hot water for other applications and it eases things a bit. Also, I wonder if cutting a slit in the tube, putting it over some silicone caulk, or spray adhesive, and then "clamping" it with tape till dry would work. Don't think the cut line would really be a bother, but one never knows....
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
They use hair spray to put handlebar grips on mountian bikes. You spray bar and then spray some down the rubber. It slides right on and then I guess it dries out because it's a devil to get off later. Mineral spirits might work but I'd certainly test it first on some scraps. It's very slippery when wet but it does evaporate so it might work. I haven't tried it however.
Two thoughts for handle grip. First, you're on the right track with the hairspray for bicycle grips idea but you need to take it one step further. Bikers have been using cork impregnated tape for almost a century to wrap their handlebars as it absorbs moisture, grips wonderfully, and dampens vibration. You can get it at any bike store and it is usually self adhesing. Same thing with tennis raquet grip, if there isn't a bike store handy.
Second, you can get 3/16" aquarium tubing and wrap the handle tightly with it. This is basically the same effect as the Jameson and Kelton handles. Once again, damps vibration well.
Dietrich
Second, you can get 3/16" aquarium tubing and wrap the handle tightly with it. This is basically the same effect as the Jameson and Kelton handles. Once again, damps vibration well.
Dietrich