Pickaxe

[MJT2003]

My pickaxe, which I inherited from my father, who in turn inherited it from his father, has died - I was breaking rocks the other day and mid-swing the neck broke (missed my bonce by about 2 inches - that was scary!).

Anyway, I've bought a new handle, but have absolutely no idea how to attach the head. Any ideas? Somebody mentioned soaking the handle in water?

 

Ta

[kempie]

It helps if you have access to a gas cooker.

15 or 20 mins on the hob, then, using an old sack or similar, transfer the head onto the shaft very carefully, so that you don't burn yourself, and then bang the shaft onto a solid surface (not the kitchen floor, if you want to live!) so that it settles the head into position. Finally, you can quench it in a water butt or under the outdoor tap. This shrinks the steel head back to normal size and ensures it bites firmly onto the wooden shaft.

[MJT2003]

Many thanks.

[Clanad]

Additionally, the handle should have been supplied with a wooden or metal wedge to drive into the end once the handle is seated on the head.  The end of the new handle, at least here in the U.S., will have a split in it to receive the wedge...

[Goofy]

I use my great grandfather's axe.
My grandfather replaced the shaft, and my father replaced the head!
good luck