BigDrew Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I'm interested in making a few hammers and I wanted some input on eye drifts. I have a drag link off of an older ford van, I'm thinking its 4140 steel. I know that the drift needs to have flat sides and rounded edges but what should i make the taper rate. What is too shallow and what is too deep? Thoughts? Am I way overthinking this? I plan to make my own handles btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Id recomend 1/8 taper, that is to say 1/8" per inch the sides will come out about 1/16" per inch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDrew Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 Thanks Charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockstar.esq Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 It seems like most handle wedges are somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4" at the top of the head. Most hammers are more than an inch thick at the handle so the taper would need to be somewhere between 1/16" and 3/16" per inch. That should stop the wedge within the eye to keep it from cracking the handle below the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I use 1 1/4" stock to make my drifts about 1' of stock and draw it down to 3/8" leaving about 4" at 1 1/4". first make it square then round and then flatted 2 sides. It works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 ...you did what???....., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKrzysz Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 ^Watch that video and listen to every word. You will not get your first one so try to practice in mild steel until you think you have it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 ...you did what???....., Pull our legs !? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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