Tool Tip Tuesday: Easy Install Rasp Handles

I buy old, unused files and rasps whenever I come across them because they’re way more affordable that way, and the quality is much, much better. Things are so rarely made “like they used to” anymore. I use files and rasps in my woodwork and metal work, but I also use them all over the farm- especially when it comes to farriering my animals. This rasp in particular is one of my favorites for donkey hooves.

Those old files rarely have handles though, so rather than jam them in the ugly new plastic ones available at the home center, here’s a fun trick I learned from my friend Dave Jeske @blue_spruce_toolworks a while back. Rather than having to make custom wood handles and having to fit each tang individually, you can batch make handles with larger, round mortises easily drilled out while the piece is still on the lathe, and fit the files/rasps snugly and quickly by using a glue stick.

Step 1:

cut a length of glue stick about 3/4 the length of the handle mortise

Step 2:

stick the glue in the handle

Step 3:

heat the tang of the file/rasp with a torch

Step 4:

with the file tang hot, stick it into the handle with the glue stick already inside. The heated tang will melt the glue stick and will fill in all the extra space inside the drilled out mortise for a nice, solid fit, regardless of the tang size.

Quick, easy project.

For more tips on how to restore old tools, check out this blog.