If the head of your pick axe becomes loose while using it, and it has a wooden handle, placing the head of the tool under water for about half an hour should allow the shaft to swell, making the head tight once again.This is only a temporary fix though, as the head will become loose again once the handle dries out once more.
Removing splinters from a pick axe handle
If you find any splinters on the wooden handle of your pick axe, they should be sanded down until the handle is smooth once again; however if the handle has a split, it should be replaced.
The chisel and pick end of a pick axe should be kept sharp, but not too sharp. The best way to do this is with a grinder or file.
When can a pick axe no longer be repaired?
Handles will need replacing if they become split or broken, whilst pick axe heads are only likely to be beyond repair and need replacing if they become bent such, as the one in this picture.
How long should a pick axe last?
If looked after and properly maintained, a pick axe should last for many years. Should the handle ever become damaged then it should be replaced if it’s fibreglass, while small splinters or chips on wooden handles may be sanded smooth, but larger ones will require the handle to be replaced. Keeping the head of the pick axe sharp and free from rust will enable you to get many years of service from it.
