How are the shaft and handle fitted to a shovel?
How are the shaft and handle fitted to a shovel? |
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Shovel handles can be wood, fibreglass or steel to suit different tasks and budgets. Here, the shaft is made from ash, a strong type of hardwood. The handle is a D-grip. | |||
To fit the shaft |
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The process of connecting the shaft to the socket is made up of a number of steps.
First of all, a 20cm slot is sawn through a cylindrical length of ash at one end and widened slightly. |
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Preparing the wood |
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The slotted end of the shaft is then immersed in boiling hot water for 3 minutes.
This softens the wood and makes it more malleable, ready for the next stage. |
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Forming the handle |
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A horseshoe-shaped clamp is used to mould the wood into a D-grip.
The slotted end of the shaft is lined up with this clamp… |
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…where a hydraulic ram pushes the slotted wood through the it.
Each side of the slot spreads around the sides of the clamp, preparing the grip for its D-shape. |
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The clamped shaft is then left to dry out in a heated chamber for 2 days.
This ensures the wood remains in the D-shape permanently. A rivet is inserted through the bottom of the slot to avoid any splintering along the shaft. |
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Both the shaft and handle are sanded down to a smooth finish.
The shaft is also sanded to a slightly tapered point at the other end. This will make it easier to insert into the socket of the head later. |
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The end of handle is then reinforced with a solid wooden grip which is fastened in place with rivets before sanding to a smooth overall finish.
This completes its D-shape. |
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Connecting the shaft with the head |
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Now the shovel is beginning to take shape.
A press joins together the shaft with the blade through the socket. |
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A rivet (a metal bolt) is inserted through the rivet hole previously punched out by the press during construction of the head.
This fastens the shaft firmly to the socket. |
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Linishing |
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This is a finishing technique for metals. Using a coarse sander, the join where wood meets steel is smoothed and polished to create a flat and even surface.
The edges of the rivet are also smoothed down. |
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Finishing the wood |
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To accentuate the natural grain of the wood, the shaft is dipped in wood stain. | |||
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Once this has dried, a coat of varnish is applied to preserve the wood.
Now the shovel is complete. |
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