Installing a palm type handle?

[johnvansyckel]

Installing a palm type handle?

I have cut the shaft off of a pfeil fishtail gouge and would like to install it into a new pfeil palm handle. I have rounded and tapered the lower ½ of the shaft. I’m not sure of the best installation method and have several questions.
a. Should the hole size be just slightly bigger than the tip of the shaft?
b. Should I heat the shaft red hot then insert it into the handle? or
c. Should the handle be hit with a hammer driving the gouge into the handle using inertia?
d. Should the handle be soaked in water to soften the fibers before installation?
e. Should wood glue or epoxy be used?
f. How is the ferrell mounted?

I realize that I am over-thinking the installation but I would like to know the best method as I would like to make a set of palm fishtails for daily use.

Any help/guidance is much appreciated.
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[Randy]

There are some good YouTubes on putting a new handle on a chisle. They can show you better than I can explain it. I do basicly the same way.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Wow! That's a lot of questions. Personally, I like your last comment about overthinking it. I installed most of my Flexcut interchangeable palm tools simply by drilling a hole slightly undersized into a craft store hard egg and then after working the tool into place I filled up the remainder of the hole with epoxy. The tool isn't going anywhere and the tools are
extremely comfortable to use.

Woodegg Tool Handles.jpg

[Dark Lightning]

Wow! That's a lot of questions. Personally, I like your last comment about overthinking it. I installed most of my Flexcut interchangeable palm tools simply by drilling a hole slightly undersized into a craft store hard egg and then after working the tool into place I filled up the remainder of the hole with epoxy. The tool isn't going anywhere and the tools are
extremely comfortable to use.

Woodegg Tool Handles.jpg

Man, that's a ton cheaper than a Pfeil handle- those are $10 a pop at Woodcraft! Smart idea.

[Steev]

When I put a handle on a tool I drill a slightly undersize hole, hold the tool shaft in the vise (sharp end away from me), and push the handle on.

[Arthur C.]

Using the Flexcut blades like Eddy-Smiles, I make my handles out of cedar (because I have a lot on hand and it works well). I use a pattern that I made to fit comfortably in my hand, making two pieces to "sandwich" the tang, carving out a space for it. I cover the tang and the inside surface of the wood with two part epoxy and bind with rubber bands until cured, then rounding and sanding to fit. This has never failed me, even using with a mallet for years. Cost for the epoxy is a few cents, no cost for the wood.

[joepaulbutler]

If I'm mounting a blade without cutting the hand in a two-piece, I try to make the hole just slightly oversized, rough up the tang by drilling a couple of holes, and small teeth shaped notches in the side of the tang pointing towards the blade, mix up some 5 min two-part epoxy, fill the hole up in the handle then insert the blade holding it at the final desire angle until the epoxy sets.