Looking after your shovel handle

[BigJules]

Like quite a few members I've got a long handled shovel mounted up on my roof rack. It has been a useful tool on several occasions.

For a while I've noticed that the ~two year old timber handle is suffering from being up there in the elements constantly, and am wondering what could be done to prolong its life. One wouldn't want the handle to break when using it.

I've considered oiling it with some linseed oil, am a little concerned this will leach down onto the Cruiser.
I've thought about painting it, but wonder if the handle will become too slipper to hold.
I've thought about just replacing it more regularly and bugger the maintenance.

I did originally try to find a fibreglass handled shovel, but none of the handles would fit into the Kaymar holder.

What are your thoughts?

[Fivid]

Linseed oil is the best treatment, you can dilute boiled linseed oil with turps to thin it down, it seems to penetrate further and dry quicker when this is done. Maybe leave it in the sun for a couple of days afterwards to let is set before putting back on the cruiser...

 
Dave

[Mace]

Do like ive done to my Axe handle - wrap its entire length with silver duct tape!!

no more sun, no more splinters, just the occasional blister if overused!! 

 

[Bird]

Linseed oil is the best treatment, you can dilute boiled linseed oil with turps to thin it down, it seems to penetrate further and dry quicker when this is done. Maybe leave it in the sun for a couple of days afterwards to let is set before putting back on the cruiser...

 
Dave

yea Linseed is great stuff.. easy to apply.. thinning it out sounds good too.... Just always seem to get dirty hands using it few days after oiling...

[GU Rich]

2 years seems about the norm BigJules, I have had 2 rot out...I just replaced the handle in the current one. Maybe only put it on for trips.

[Chippy76]

As a chippy, i have plenty of timber handled tools in the back of my ute regularly. I use linseed oiol to keep them in top condition. A light sand before applying will remove any splinters, and like Fivid said, left out in the sun to dry for a day it shouldnt leak anywhere after that. 

One suggestion tho, if it is up there ALL the time... why ? I would take it off the vehicle unless I was actually going somewhere I might need it. Besides the (miniscule) extra weight, it is also causing extra drag. Take it off and put it in the shed, then the elements wont effect it so much! Just a thought....

Cheers Chippy

[BigJules]

It's more there for the "look" Rich  .

If I had a proper shed I'd pull the whole rack off regularly as I don't often use it. My front drive/yard is steep and not conducive to removing heavy steel items from the roof.

I'll oil it up and see how it goes, maybe do the shovel handle as well. 

[Bird]

Just on replacing handles, the local bunnings last time through didnt carry replacement handles for long handle shov's, it was cheaper in their opinion to buy a new item, even though the shovel head was thinner than a meat pie tray. The 12yr old couldnt see my issue with buying a new one...

Mitre 10 had them..

[jclures]

I would think the real answer to stopping shovel handles deteriorating is to use them on a daily basis, this way then stay nice and smooth, I know this from experience,  although now I treat all shovels like a taipan snake.

[crackacoldie]

I'm still on the original handle after 10+ years.  I started using olive oil as opposed to linseed, and now only oil every 18months - 2years.  A real good bath, leave it dripping in the sun for a couple of days before remounting.

  Cracka

[baldheadedgit]

Wow.. i didnt know they rotted out.. ours are just thrown in the back of the truck... but there again they are covered in concrete half the time.   

BHG

[GU Rich]

Just on replacing handles, the local bunnings last time through didn't carry replacement handles for long handle shove, it was cheaper in their opinion to buy a new item, even though the shovel head was thinner than a meat pie tray. The 12yr old couldn't see my issue with buying a new one...

Mitre 10 had them..

I looked at buying a new but the tapered shape at that end wouldn't go through the holder...I picked up my new handle from my local hardware for $17 I think. I then took it home and sealed it with lacquer.

It's more there for the "look" Rich  .

If I had a proper shed I'd pull the whole rack off regularly as I don't often use it. My front drive/yard is steep and not conducive to removing heavy steel items from the roof.

I'll oil it up and see how it goes, maybe do the shovel handle as well. 

Mine lives up there too Jules, I go camping with 3 girls....it comes in handy! Plus I never know when I might get stuck in the school carpark 

Cheers

[Roo]

If you already have lanolin spray, you can use that. Lanolin is a very effective wood preserver.

[Fivid]

If you already have lanolin spray, you can use that. Lanolin is a very effective wood preserver.

Never thought of trying that but should be good.  I did some maintenance work in a shearing shed once and all the timber was in excellent nick under the buildup of lanolin...  We use Lanotec for underbody protection of the Patrol so might give our shovel handle a coat of that.

 
Dave

[MrCruza]

I used to carry my good wooden handled job but like you I found the handle suffered. Picked up a fibreglass handled job from Glennfords on special for $12. Fits my Rhino holders no worries. You can see it in my pic below.

 Problem solvered... 

[carinya]

It's more there for the "look" Rich  .

If I had a proper shed I'd pull the whole rack off regularly as I don't often use it. My front drive/yard is steep and not conducive to removing heavy steel items from the roof.

I'll oil it up and see how it goes, maybe do the shovel handle as well. 

Jules, I am very sorry to hear you don't have a proper shed.  Next time you are in QLD, feel free to drop in and soak up the atmosphere in mine.  Nothing like the smell of welding to lift your spirits, (or is my trouser leg on fire?).

[RichardW]

Jules,

I bought a second hand shovel from the local markets for $5.
Handle was bare with a few splinters appearing.
Got sick of the splinters so sanded it down and gave it 6 coats of marine varnish.
Grip is good and no more splinters.

[yandiferal]

i bought mine in Broome W.A. from Bunnings it's a red fibreglass handle shovel, i had to run a bit of sand paper around the top as it hit (I'm talking 1 to 2mm) and is fantastic will never deteriorate. Being from Bunnings you should be able to get them in any state at any store
 
Rusty

[TOY80ST]

Turf the Kamar and make your own so it can fit a fibreglass one. I made mine from stainless steel tube.

Works just as well.

[Chippy76]

Jules,

I bought a second hand shovel from the local markets for $5.
Handle was bare with a few splinters appearing.
Got sick of the splinters so sanded it down and gave it 6 coats of marine varnish.
Grip is good and no more splinters.

I considered suggesting marine varnish, but at $50 a litre it is a bit pricey! :S

Cheers Chippy

[austastar]

Hi,
   another vote for 50/50 turps and linseed oil, but I use natural turps, (it smells a bit like pine trees).
Sand it first, couple of coats (rub with steel wool lightly between coats) and you will have a durable and shiny smooth handle.

For surviving total neglect though you can't beat the yellow plastic handles like on my axe. after years of breaking axe and block buster handles I was given block buster with a yellow handle. Liked it so much that I bought an axe as well. they survived out in the weather on the wood heap for years and haven't broken in 20 odd years.

cheers

[BigJules]

I considered suggesting marine varnish, but at $50 a litre it is a bit pricey! :S
Cheers Chippy

Too right! I looked at different oils even in Bunnings and thought it would be more economic to just replace the handle more often.

Turf the Kamar and make your own so it can fit a fibreglass one. I made mine from stainless steel tube.
Works just as well.

I've got the highlift jack and shovel holder unit, plus an awning on the other side. I previously had QuickFists but not possible with thr jack mounted there too. If the next camper has a spot for the highlift I will go back to a pair of QuickFists, regardless of the handle type.

i bought mine in Broome W.A. from Bunnings it's a red fibreglass handle shovel, i had to run a bit of sand paper around the top as it hit (I'm talking 1 to 2mm) and is fantastic will never deteriorate. Being from Bunnings you should be able to get them in any state at any store
 
Rusty

This is my preferred option, I'll have another look for one that will fit the holder.

Jules, I am very sorry to hear you don't have a proper shed.  Next time you are in QLD, feel free to drop in and soak up the atmosphere in mine.  Nothing like the smell of welding to lift your spirits, (or is my trouser leg on fire?).

Me too Grant. I have only a two car garage on top of a driveway that is only slightly less steep than the price of a servo pie these days.

[TOY80ST]

I've got the highlift jack and shovel holder unit, plus an awning on the other side. I previously had QuickFists but not possible with thr jack mounted there too. If the next camper has a spot for the highlift I will go back to a pair of QuickFists, regardless of the handle type.

I have axe and shovel mounted next to each other on the drivers side (shovel above axe) and I have my awning off the passenger side and the hilift  mounted on the rear.
The ones I looked at to buy just didn't work so I made it to suit. I am moving the hilift to the camper chassis. (adding additional mounts anyway). Lowers the weight on the cruiser.

I know it all seems like a lot of work but for the case of having my shovel live up there without worrying about it.

Sorry rephrase that. I paint the face of the shovel with red oxide every time it gets used. I have had rust marks on the front pillar develop because of it.

[BigJules]

I have axe and shovel mounted next to each other on the drivers side (shovel above axe) and I have my awning off the passenger side and the hilift  mounted on the rear.
The ones I looked at to buy just didn't work so I made it to suit. I am moving the hilift to the camper chassis. (adding additional mounts anyway). Lowers the weight on the cruiser.

Sorry rephrase that. I paint the face of the shovel with red oxide every time it gets used. I have had rust marks on the front pillar develop because of it.

Nope, I think you're on the right track. I really only use my HiLift for trailers, it has been handy having it with me this week for instance but mostly it would be on a camper.

I too have some stains forming from rust etc running off the shovel and jack. I paint my shovel head wiht a pressure pack regularly, it needs doing again.