A little help here please!

[Digger Bob]

Tragedy struck over the weekend. I don't know if this life can be saved but if anyone has a suggestion, I would welcome it.

While digging out a big rock, the handle of my favorite pick broke! I mean it just shattered! I wasn't prying on the rock or anything destructive. The point hit the rock just like it has thousands of others, when SNAP!, I was holding half of it in my hand. It even cleanly split the friction tape I had wrapped around it.

The head is rivited on so I don't know how to get the old one out or how to attach a new one if I can find one. Doc, any ideas? Can it salvaged? Do you carry spare ones? I imagine it would price prohibative to send it back to Coiltek or whereever it came from, but I couldn't bear to throw it away, especially when a new one is almost $100. So, I appeal to the masses of handymen out there, can this beautiful piece of workmanship be saved?

Digger Bob


[attachment 39903 Fall2006600x450.jpg]

 

[fredm]

Bob, just drill out the rivets and chip out the old handle, buy a sledge-hammer handle and epoxy it in...you may need to fit the handle to suit...drill new holes and bolt through and lock-nut on...file down the sharp edges if you use the handle in the bolted areas...that should fix it...every time you pry on something the wood gets weakened and sooner or later will break...

hope this helps

Fred

 

[~LARGO~]

Hey Digger,

I worked with wood for a long time, and was told that using a good grade of wood glue would make a repair stronger than the wood had been originally.
Not saying it will work for sure, but for kicks and giggles, you might try some of that Gorilla glue, or stop at a wood working shop, and they might do it for you.
Just be sure the dry fit is right, and apply the glue according to directions, then put it together and clamp it good, and see what happens. If that doesn't work, you can do the drill out thing w/epoxy.
Hey, it can't hurt!
Keep us updated!

~LARGO~

 

[Hoser John]

I use the estwing lightweight all steel pick and it's lasted over 20 years!!!Not even close to a $100.Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[wheelbubble]

Say Bob if you would have bought that from Chip privitt he would have replaced that for free except for shipping.....

 

[Digger Bob]

Well, Chip would have to get it from Doc, just like I did, since we are both Minelab and Coiltek dealers. So, someone would lose money on it. It's too old to be under any kind of warranty.

But, I think I will try the fiberglass handle replacement if I can find one the right size. Maybe try the epoxy and fiberglass wrap first and see how it holds up.

Thanks to all who responded.

Digger Bob

 

[wheelbubble]

Say Bob chip makes his own,nice price and a nice warranty.....

 

[Silicon John]

Digger, I think that your idea of putting a fiberglass handle replacement on it is the best idea. Attached is a photo of me swinging a 30 pound sledge hammer that had a replacement fiberglass handle.

We were looking for garnet in the seams of the rocks. That 30 pound sledge hammer really talked to the rock. The handle never looked like it had any problem of breaking but I could only swing it three times in a row without a long rest.

 

[deerman]

first file or grind off the heads of the rivits and punch them out useing a pin punch or a large nail, then go to the hardware store and buy a handle that fits the hole in the pick or is a little large so you can sand or cut it down to fit(you can also use a hardwood dowel thay make them up to 1 1/2 inchs around and come 36 inchs long) when you put the handle in try to have the grain of the wood run front to back(it will make a stronger handle if you hit a rock with it it won't break as easy)then use a bolt and nut as new rivets and pean over the bolts after tightening the nut so it won't come off,costs to fix should'nt run more then 20.00
max