Anyone know what kind of wood the handle of this Utility Wrench Co would have been?  This one has seen better days.  I recently purchased a small wood lathe and I am going to try my hand at making a replacement handle.

Jim

Hi Jim, My 2 cents worth. Since it's not going to be original and you're  not going to use it, why not make it out of something you have or like? I made chisel handles out of all kinds of wood and in many shapes and finishes. I liked most of them, even the oddball ones.

Mike

Not sure what variety of wood it is, but this is mine.

I imagine birch would have been common, or perhaps one of the similar but cheaper woods like poplar.  The ones I own have a dark finish - generations of sweaty hands covered with oil and dirt can do that - so I'm not sure exactly what the wood might be.

I have some maple that i think i will try for the first shot.

I'll send pictures as i progress.   I'm getting ready to head east for the MVWC Spring meet, so it may be a couple weeks before i have something.

  Jim

See you there, I'm heading West Tuesday morning.

On original wood -- if not imported woods (like ROSEWOOD, etc for hardness & smooth finish) probably some tough & local wood  like hickory or chestnut.  Something that would turn to a smooth finish without too much difficulty but still be hard & tough enough to not fall apart on first use.  The next MVWC Newsletter has a piece about COLDWELL lawn mowers made at Newburgh, NY.  They got all their handles from Piqua, Ohio.  You'll have to wait for the newsletter to see who supplied the "cutters."

Well....  It took me a while, but i finally made a handle.
I used Claro (West coast domestic walnut).  The shape is a little off, but it is pretty close to (what i have of) the original.

Jim

I made another while I was at it.  This handle is made from a piece of an old Stanley Cherry level.  The level was in horrible shape when i found it.  I think it looks pretty good (if i do say so myself).

Jim

I was thinking the same.  Good repurpose!
I used elm one time as an experiment.  Elm is hard as can be.

That's a really nice job Jim!!  Particularly since it's your first effort. It looks like you've been doing them for years.

Mike

I've been "thinking" of doing them for years...lol.  It is  good to "Actually" be making them.  Now i'm on the lookout for nice wrenches with broken handles.  I usually step right over them...

  Jim

Nice work, Jim!!