Epoxy in the eye / head / handle: good or bad idea?

Daniel L

Daniel L

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Nov 2, 1998
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Having been inspired to get a longer handle for ATC Vietnam Hawk (wooden handle) I found a nice 18" ball peen hammer hammer which is pretty close - but slightly small - in eye dimensions.

Once its fitted, is it a good idea to use some epoxy in the eye to help secure it or is that generally a bad idea?

What adhesive is good if I should use one?
 
If you're using epoxy to make up for poor sizing, I'd say don't do it. Get a better haft.

If you already have a good haft and want to use epoxy... that may be a viable option.

Hopefully someone who knows much more than me on the matter (i.e. everyone else on this board :)) will chime in shortly.

Good luck!
 
i made a handle for a ball pein hammer and was feeling a bit lazy and was interested in seeing what happened, so instead of wedging it tight, i mixed up some epoxy and filled in around the handle (in the top of the eye and from the bottom).

after a month of occasional hard use the head started rattling, but after some incredibly hard hits on wood, the head didn't loosen anymore. i put a few nails in the top of the handle to wedge it tight.

i wouldn't suggest epoxy except maybe to hold in a wedge, but that can be done fine with white glue.

like was suggested, try finding a better fit handle (look for oversized and reduce it for a perfect fit). or you could make your own from a piece of well grained board that you can get cheap at a lumber yard.
 
I have read that one of the advantages of a tomahawk was being able to replace a handle in the field. If you utilize epoxy, field haft replacement will be a much more difficult task IMHO. YMMV.
 
I wouldn't rely on epoxy to hold on a hawk head, I would only use it as a back-up to an already well fit handle. Cleaning it off later to change the inevitably broken handle wouldn't be fun either I think. I did try a fiberglass maul handle once that was held on by a special epoxy, and it didn't hold on too long.
 
I wouldn't use epoxy either. Like Q said, it will be more of a mess when it comes time to replace the handle.

In addition, as tough as some epoxies are, they aren't meant for impact. Maybe there are some epoxies out there that would fit the bill, but they would be specialty items.

Try hand shaping a handle that fits better. Or if the one you have fits well enough, I'd use wedges. Maybe with a little glue to hold them in place.

My $0.02. Let us know what you decide and how it works out.
 
It can work but is not the "correct' way. If you are stuck and don't have time or the cheap hatchet is not worth taking the time with then a epoxy is OK. Still i much prefer to take the time to do it right.
 
Epoxy or Gorilla glue work fine in a light coating on an axe eye in conjunction with a properly fitted and wedged handle. The Gorilla glue swells to give an extra amount of tightness and fills all voids and seals out all moisture. I have yet to experience a handle coming loose that is properly fitted, wedged, and glued. The wedging forces out all excess glue except for a very light bonding film and whatever irregularities are left in the perfect mating of the two surfaces. I don't think I'd use glue on a hawk with a tapered slip handle.
 
If you are going to use epoxy,the only thing to use is "Acra-Glass" it is made to bed rifle barrels and is designed to withstand impact and vibration. I use it on occasion, it is expensive but worth the price..
 
rocketmann said:
If you are going to use epoxy,the only thing to use is "Acra-Glass" it is made to bed rifle barrels and is designed to withstand impact and vibration. I use it on occasion, it is expensive but worth the price..
Click to expand...


you will want to use the "Gel" it is much easier to use.....

trust me I use it on a daily basis in school
 
Devcon epoxy gel works fine also. If the handle is fitted tight the epoxy inside the eye is not going anywhere.
 
thunderstick said:
The Gorilla glue swells to give an extra amount of tightness and fills all voids and seals out all moisture.
Click to expand...

be careful to note that the "foam" aspect of Gorilla glue is not structural at all- the foam is very easily deformed. What is properly glued does not foam up.
 
Thanks guys - I just completed the re-handle on the weekend. Will post some pics and managed to do it without any epoxy... at least for now :)
 
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