How To Replace A Broken Shovel Handle

If you just broke off the handle of your old garden tool, or your wooden shovel has given out on you, it may be cheaper to replace the handle than the shovel itself.
Today’s heavy-duty handles do not have the same (and don’t absorb sweat as nicely), but they’ll definitely be more durable.

Supplies | Repairs

You’ll need

• Broken shovel
• New handle
• Durable
• Pincers
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• 1 flathead chipboard screw

The Repairs

Step 1: Inspect the handle before replacing it

Curiosity often pays. The end of the handle will be sanded out to highlight the wood’s grain. That is to say, which direction the fibers are going towards. You can see the pattern where they change form.
Look at it from another angle, you can see that the grain is straight, but is directed outward toward where the handle is broken. This shows that using the handle around the shaft contradicts the fibers’ direction, and causes brittleness of the wood.
This kind of observations is only valid for what it is. Meaning, it’s just an observation. But it’s useful to know what kind of wooden handle you want to pick, so that you don’t break it again.

Step 2: Remove the broken piece

By using a pair of large pincers, remove the original nail. You’ll then be able to remove the stuck piece of wood within the socket of the tail end.. Position the clamp to help you by leveraging the shovel.
Remove whatever remains inside by turning upside down the end of the shovel, and position its side against a wall or staircase.

Step 3: Position the new handle

Place the new handle in the shovel like the photo above. If you do it the other way, soil could wedge itself between the end of the handle and the iron spade.
Another thing to be aware of: make sure the handle doesn’t have a specific curvature, in which case you should reorient the installation. If you don’t know which way to do it, imagine the handle is straight, then place the curvature as if the handle were subjected to heavy force.

Step 4: Insert and secure the handle

This part may not seem logical to some, however it is very effective.
To drive the tool’s head in the handle, let the other side hit the ground (as in, the top of the handle), so the iron locks itself along it. Do this a couple more times so everything fits tightly.
Lay the shovel or tool down. Tighten a new screw in the handle. It’s even possible there’s already a hole there to use. If you don’t see one, rotate the handle just to be sure.
Use a long and thin screw, otherwise you’ll have trouble embedding it properly.

Your garden shovel now has a second life.