This can require a substantial amount of work, so make sure you choose the best approach to the problem.
There are four main types of head/haft interface:
- Blind- or open-socketed, e.g. slashers, Yorkshire bill- hooks, some spades.
- Strapped, e.g. some pitchforks and spades.
- Solid head with tapered socket, e.g. axes and some sledgehammers
- Solid head with parallel-sided socket, e.g. mell.
Note that not all similar tools are constructed alike. For example, some manufacturer’s cromes are strapped, whereas others are blind-socketed.
For situations like (a) and (b) first remove the rivets. The usual method for this is to centre punch the rivet head, then using the mark as a guide, drill down into the rivet. Use a sharp drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet (you may have to guess at this until the first rivet is removed).
Work from one side only. Take care not to enlarge the rivet hole in the tool head itself. Then use a blunt-ended punch struck with a hammer to punch out the rest of the rivet. The head can then be removed by pulling it off, if there is enough left of the old handle to get a grip on. If the old handle has broken off inside the socket you will have to remove it by drilling out piecemeal.
For situations like (c) and (d), cut off the old handle flush with the tool head. Apply a large flat ended punch (a bolt with a flat head is suitable), and hammer this to knock out the handle stump, see above. This is not always easy, and you may need to drill a series of holes to free the old handle. Note that for case (c) you should punch from the side where the handle has been cut off, otherwise you will just wedge the stump more firmly into the tapered socket.
An alternative method which is usually successful with most tools is to saw off the broken handle flush with the end of the socket, then drill a hole and screw in a coach screw. Hold the screw head in a vice, and knock the spade with a mallet or club hammer to remove the stump.
