Mike_Morgan
Elite Cafe Member
Not sure exactly why I'm posting this... But I'm really happy with how this project turned out, and I guess I just want to share the joy!
Buying a chasing hammer, for me, usually entails finding a hammer, then modifying the handle until it works properly... virtually every new hammer out there has a handle that is a clunky, chunky, badly balanced imitation of what a real hammer should be.
In the olden days, a chasing hammer has an elegant handle of wood that has some flex to it, which develops a "whipping" action... antique hammers are the way to go if they can be found, they're just better.
So, I was looking to upgrade my hammer collection, and I spotted a handle-less head for sale on ebay... beautiful old metal. And I bought it for 12 bucks, had it shipped in, and it sat for three months while I pondered making a handle. Yesterday, I had some spare time and I decided to get busy on the thing.
I had a board of AAAA Flaming Maple and I decided... why not? Maple, when thinned out has amazing springiness, and it's just beautiful to look at. I oriented the grain to be vertical along the strike axis, and drew the outline. A few long minutes on the bandsaw as I burned through the really hard material with a steel-cutting blade (It's in the machine shop) and I had the thing hogged out. From there I carved, filed and sanded it into shape. Finally, some oil and wax... and I now have an heirloom quality hammer.... I think it came out great, and it feels AMAZING!
Comments are welcome, of course!
Buying a chasing hammer, for me, usually entails finding a hammer, then modifying the handle until it works properly... virtually every new hammer out there has a handle that is a clunky, chunky, badly balanced imitation of what a real hammer should be.
In the olden days, a chasing hammer has an elegant handle of wood that has some flex to it, which develops a "whipping" action... antique hammers are the way to go if they can be found, they're just better.
So, I was looking to upgrade my hammer collection, and I spotted a handle-less head for sale on ebay... beautiful old metal. And I bought it for 12 bucks, had it shipped in, and it sat for three months while I pondered making a handle. Yesterday, I had some spare time and I decided to get busy on the thing.
I had a board of AAAA Flaming Maple and I decided... why not? Maple, when thinned out has amazing springiness, and it's just beautiful to look at. I oriented the grain to be vertical along the strike axis, and drew the outline. A few long minutes on the bandsaw as I burned through the really hard material with a steel-cutting blade (It's in the machine shop) and I had the thing hogged out. From there I carved, filed and sanded it into shape. Finally, some oil and wax... and I now have an heirloom quality hammer.... I think it came out great, and it feels AMAZING!
Comments are welcome, of course!
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