Over the summer, I finally decided to tackle the jungle/mosquito breeding ground behind my back fence that I inherited from the previous owners. About halfway through, one of the nice wood handles (oak I think) on my loppers snapped:
So being the good aspiring woodworker that I am, I glue them back together with basic yellow glue. A few weeks later I go back to finish up and the handle snaps again. This time though it snapped in a different place. Same handle, but the previous glue joint is intact. You can see it in this picture (looks like a dark grain line along the bottom)
Although I think it’s time for some metal handled loppers now, I do think it’s very interesting that the same break didn’t fail twice. But then again that’s what I’ve been hearing all along, that a good long grain glue joint is actually stronger than the wood itself. The scientist in me is happy to have some supporting data.
Or maybe the real problem is that I’m just too strong for any handle to handle… :o)
Also, please excuse the rusty tool, it sat in the grass for a week or so after I decided it would be retired
-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio
6 comments so far
fredf
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320 posts in 603 days
posted 423 days ago
Now if the handle had been made with grain at 90 degrees to where it is, like the other handle it would have lasted forever. when I buy a replacement handle for a hammer, sledge or what ever I sort through the replacements paying attention to the grain. Unfortunately in this world of mass production, they just don’t bother to align it correctly :-(
-- Fred, Springfield, Ma
Bob #2
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3035 posts in 914 days
posted 423 days ago
Can I ask if the loppers were made in China?
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
sry
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137 posts in 501 days
posted 423 days ago
Fred: great point, and something I didn’t notice at first
Bob: I’d assume that they’re made in china, based on the fact that I picked them up at home depot and they’re also available at walmart. But I don’t have the original tags or anything, so your guess is as good as mine.
-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio
Bob #2
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3035 posts in 914 days
posted 423 days ago
Steve, judging from the lack of attention to construction and the poor mortise and tenon ratio and lack of any ferrules it suggests it was designed for the landfill. That is becomming a hallmark of Chinese (or more fairly far east) manufacturing.
I hope you take it back.
That’s the only way you have to get the big box stores to listen to us.
Part of that value added service they are supposed to provide is to make sure that this junk doesn’t burn up the planets’ resources and fill up the landfills.
Cheers
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Zuki
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1229 posts in 970 days
posted 423 days ago
if you are looking for one wicked set of loppers . . . check out these Fiskars PowerGear 31-1/2-Inch Bypass Loppers
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-PowerGear-2-Inch-Bypass-Lopper/dp/B00004SD74/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1222381916&sr=8-5
We have had a set going on 5 years. They are tough.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
dsb1829
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369 posts in 520 days
posted 422 days ago
Yep, glue and long grain make a pretty reliable joint. I had a set of wooden parallel clamps crack on me. I went a bit overboard in reassembly, but I am sure it won’t be failing anywhere near the same place again.
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama