The threads on this unknown plumbing fitting made nice witness marks to grind and file down to.
The inside had raised part which needed drilling out, which I should have done first #-o
I didn't want to hold it with vicegrips on my powerful drill press, so I turned the bit by hand on it instead.
It still needed some filing as I didn't have the right size bit.
Getting closer
Sourced some suitable stock for the handle
These marking knives from Axminster are handy for something like this
The handle was finished with one coat of BLO
Not good enough though, so I needed something to get down into there, what's the name of that tool...
I've got it!, a chisel is wot you need
A pre made off cut strip of the spring steel was very nice to have about then
Me all happy with myself thinking I was sorted for the job, I chopped into the handle as much as I could with that wee chisel, which wasn't enough.
I should have made a custom thin long drill bit for the job from an old nail or something, because the handle didn't set at the depth I had planned for, and had cracked.
None the less the handle is secure and it is probably better this long anyways, if a bit awkward to find somewhere to put it....
Note to self, find one of those chisel tip protectors
The crack doesn't look too bad to my eyes anyways
Got back to work and this chisel makes things a breeze.
Lessons learned...
Make sure to use wooden blocks to hammer the steel flat, as I made more than a nick or two down the blade, so don't hit it with metal.
Not that it will affect anything, but nicer not to have done.
Flatten it properly from as soon as you can, and keep an eye on it after each heavy grinding session.
Get some long thin drill bits for the tang, if you choose a full width tang.
Maybe make a stouter chisel, as the wee one I made was way too delicate and got bent a few times.
Thanks for reading
Tom