I had found myself a nicely sized (short handled) 10 lb hammer to use in my Apt. at a flea market. It was obviously old and the handle needed tightening in the head. I bought a new wedge and tightened it up.
Well, recently I had noticed that I could hear the handle lightly popping like the handle had a split that was creaking. I kept looking for it, but couldn't find it.
Last night my wife and restarted our SG workout (we fell off the waggon for a while). We did 14 drive the post to each side, and I moved into shovel coal, and on the first move I felt the head of the hammer shift. I immediately stopped. I grabbed the head of the hammer and gave it a wiggle to see how loose it was and it came off in my hand. The wooden handle completely split apart INSIDE the head.
I will most likely get a new handle for it, but for now I'll borrow a hammer from work. I'm keeping the handle and I cut the split wood off. It makes a nice "whacking stick" to keep in a dark corner or under the bed.
This is just a reminder to remain aware of what you are doing. If I had been absent minded and not felt the head move, the next shovel move would likely have launched the 10 lb head at my wife.
Happy and safe shugging!
Reminder/Warning
Wow. Scary. Glad you detected this in time -- and thanks for the warning.
I guess sledgehammers aren't exactly like cast iron pans....
Reinhard
I guess sledgehammers aren't exactly like cast iron pans....
Reinhard