Symptoms
- Head wobbles or shifts when the hammer is shaken
- Visible gap between the head and handle
- Head slides slightly with each swing
- Handle wedge missing or loose
Likely causes
- CommonWood handle dried out and shrankWood handles lose moisture over time and shrink inside the head's eye.
- CommonWedge loosened or fell outThe metal or wood wedge that spreads the handle inside the head can work loose with use.
- PossibleHandle cracked near the headA crack lets the head shift even if the wedge is intact.
- Less commonHead was never properly seated when installedAn improperly fitted head loosens quickly under repeated impact.
What to do
- Stop using the hammer immediately; a loose head can fly off during a swing.
- Inspect the handle for cracks running up from the head; a cracked handle should be replaced, not repaired.
- If the handle is sound, soak the head end in water or boiled linseed oil for a few hours to swell the wood back tight.
- Drive the existing wedge deeper with a punch and hammer, or add a small supplemental wedge crosswise to the existing one.
- For a permanent fix, drive the old handle stub out, fit a new handle, and set new wedges according to the handle's instructions.
- Test by tapping the head firmly on a hard surface; it should stay tight with no wobble.
- Re-check periodically, especially in dry seasons when wood handles shrink most.
Tools and parts
- Punch
- Mallet
- Replacement wedges
- Bucket of water or linseed oil
Replacement hammer handleSearch: “wood or fiberglass hammer handle replacement”
When to call a pro
A hardware store can rehandle antique or specialty hammers if you don't want to do the fitting yourself.
Safety
Use caution
A loose hammer head can detach mid-swing and cause serious injury; never use a hammer with a wobbling head until it's fixed.