The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - How to make tool handles with ferrules

Breck Whitworth

WR Supporter

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 1350

Gender: male

How to make tool handles with ferrules
03/18/12 at 20:59:01

Hey guys I plan on making three decent wood handles for the three unhandled gouges I acquired with an old lathe. The round shank width is 15/32 on all of them. The largest steps up to a 5/8 deep fluted bowl gouge. The other two are 15/32 the entire length. I have never made a handle with a metal ferrule before. Can you give me tips on how to do it, what to use, or direct me to videos or directions to follow. Thanks dankk2

Breck

Back to top

May the Lord Bless the work of our hands! And Necessity is the mother of invention:

IP Logged

Jeff Vanden Boogart WR Supporter Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 369 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #1 - 03/18/12 at 21:21:23 Herer you go, Breck...from our own Bob Hamilton. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
Back to top	« Last Edit: 03/19/12 at 06:30:50 by Ron Sardo » Reason: fixed link IP Logged

Mike Baber WR Addict WR Supporter Offline When all else fails, ask someone who knows! Posts: 5967 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #2 - 03/18/12 at 21:38:04 What Jeff said, you can't go wrong their. Bob used a piece of copper tubing for his ferrule in the video, you can also use brass.
Back to top	« Last Edit: 03/18/12 at 22:48:27 by Mike Baber » Wizzy IP Logged

Ken Vaughan

WR Patron

Offline

Still learning

Posts: 2193

Gender: male

Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules
Reply #3 - 03/19/12 at 04:22:12

Breck -

The stresses on the ferrule is pretty small. Ellsworth is known for making a recess, wrapping string, and securing it with glue.

Most like the pretty of metal (me too). You can use anything from left over copper pile, scraps of brass pipe, brass plumbing fittings, or even pieces of EMT tubing. Scraps of stainless steel tubing are especially fine looking if you are near salt water where old boat railings are available.

Most important is a handle that feels good to you!!!

Back to top

IP Logged

Bernie Weishapl WR Supporter Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2207 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #4 - 03/19/12 at 06:45:37 I generally use 3/4" or 1" copper pipe. Like Ken said you can use a variety of things.
Back to top	Bernie Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, “Hi, Honey, I’m home – forever.” To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone. IP Logged

Robert Harper

WR Addict

Offline

WR doesn't rock, it RULES!

Posts: 2974

Gender: male

Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules
Reply #5 - 03/19/12 at 07:04:06

Like Bernie, I use copper pipe. Why, because it is easy to find and easy to cut with a pipe cutter.

I just cut off a 1" length and then turn the business end of the handle to fit in it. I recently made a handle that I put a Jacobs chuck on so that I can change from different tools I've made out of drill stock. I like to turn my own handles because I make them larger in diameter than standard handles. With my arthritis, they are easier to hold onto and I make them a bit longer than normal so I can brace against my side and further reduce how hard I have to hold on.

Most of all, it is just plain fun to use your own tools. Mine come no where near the Thompson quality but they're mine.

For the most part, they are very straight forward. You just turn a spindle that fits your had well. Then drill for the tenon of the cutting tool, glue it in place with a ferrule on the end to stop splitting, and you're good to go. One thing to remember is that the deeper the tenon goes into the handle, the more stable it will be and the less pressure the ferrule needs to handle. I'd try to get at least three inches into the handle if not up to six. After six, there probably isn't much advantage. One inch is way too short, in my not so humble opinion.

Back to top

Live long, love life, and sail fast. Oh and turn fast too.

IP Logged

Bill Bolen WR Supporter Offline Missouri turner Posts: 1063	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #6 - 03/19/12 at 08:30:15 Here is a pdf from Doug Thompson on making your own handles. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
Back to top	2Ljunkie IP Logged

Breck Whitworth WR Supporter Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 1350 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #7 - 03/19/12 at 14:29:40 Hey guys the 5/8 bowl gouge has a two inch round shank 15/32 then it increases to the 5/8 round for the rest of the gouge. Would it be best to get a one way threaded ferrule for this one because I can't get three inches into the handle unless I drill a step. Breck
Back to top	May the Lord Bless the work of our hands! And Necessity is the mother of invention: IP Logged

Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Online Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 7839	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #8 - 03/19/12 at 16:57:57 Going in 2" is all you need.
Back to top	Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or IP Logged

Larry Matchett WR Supporter Offline Be One with your Tool! Posts: 944 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #9 - 03/19/12 at 17:21:20 Breck, When you drill the hole take a file and cut some grooves in the walls. I usually do three. It gives some room for the Epoxy to go much like roughing a pen tube. I turn most of my handles. Great fun and they fit my hand.
Back to top	IP Logged

JimQuarles WR Administrator WR Patron Online WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 10909 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #10 - 03/19/12 at 21:39:23 Also drill a little bit longer so there is room for the epoxy that will get pushed down.
Back to top	« Last Edit: 03/19/12 at 21:39:41 by JimQuarles » Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

Breck Whitworth WR Supporter Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 1350 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #11 - 03/20/12 at 05:14:57 Thanks Guys, I am going to get stuff to make my handles today, as well as light gray paint for the delta mini. Breck
Back to top	May the Lord Bless the work of our hands! And Necessity is the mother of invention: IP Logged

Matthew Stephenson

Active Member

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 121

Gender: male

Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules
Reply #12 - 06/22/12 at 08:13:37

I use pex pipe fitting crimp rings. They look like they are just black when you buy them but they are copper so i just hit them with some 220 grit once they are on the handle and it looks like spun copper. I always make the shoulder on my tenon deep enough that the ring is flush to the handle as they are pretty thick.

I have yet to glue a tool in a handle, I just drill the exact dia of the tool shank and drive the tool in, so far no issues...

Matt

Back to top

IP Logged

Dale Gillaspy WR Supporter Offline Turning Designer Firewood Posts: 1117 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #13 - 06/22/12 at 19:59:34 Don't spend your money on a Oneway ferrule. Way to expensive. I just turned a handle from hickory, and cut 6 relief cuts on the bandsaw from the end of the recess to the shoulder. My ferrule is a hose clamp. I can now take the tool steel out of the handle when I sharpen it. Makes it much easier.
Back to top	IP Logged

Steve Rollinson Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 179 Gender:	Re: How to make tool handles with ferrules Reply #14 - 06/24/12 at 15:40:49 I've seen the brass from used shotgun shells used as ferrules on carving chisels. Very edgy!
Back to top	"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way" -Mark Twain ... IP Logged