Is it worth trying to save?

Logan in SE Texas · Feb 24, 2018

Good morning All,
Wife & I are downsizing & I was working in my shop sorting, packing for move. I found a nice round point shovel with a broken fiberglass handle, I think I picked it up off the roadside at sometime in the past. I looked it over and din't see an easy way to get the handle out. I had a good fire going and I threw it on the pile. Handle is gone now but is the spade part worth having after it's been through a hot fire? I have a load of scrap iron building so it's not a complete waste. either way. What would y'all do with it???

tomturkey · Feb 24, 2018

Just what you did, shovels spades pitch forks rakes and other outside lawn and garden tools are easily replaced at the next auction/garage sale. Their price will be 1/3 of new. So once the handle breaks. Throw it out. I've relaced handles in shovels, spades, rakes and forks. It does take some time energy and expertise to replace a handle, plus you have to go find a new handle or create one from a hickory stick. just not worth the time in my opinion. gobble

Mike Groom · Feb 24, 2018

Agree!!

rrlund · Feb 24, 2018

I gave $4 for one at an auction last summer. Can't buy a handle for that. You can weld an old mower guard to one for a beak,put some golf ball eyes on it and make a lawn decoration.

kcm.MN · Feb 24, 2018

Depends. If I have a tool I like, I'll take the time to fix it. Have bought too much brand new crap that I didn't like, especially concerning shovels!

That said, as you're trying to downsize for a move, I'd lose it. If you thought enough of it to keep it, I don't think you would've asked.

ss55 · Feb 24, 2018

If the shovel head has been through a fire hot enough to burn out a fiberglass handle, any temper the metal had is probably gone, plus you will soon have heavy rusting problems that will keep it from ever scouring well again. Even before it was in the fire, it probably would have been less expensive to replace the shovel than to put another handle on it. If you are serious about downsizing you may need to become a lot more ruthless about what you can get rid of or you will never finish the job, BTDT myself too.

Bret4207 · Feb 25, 2018

Yeah, like ss55 said, you destroyed the temper of the shovel. Scrap metal now.

kevinthefixer · Feb 25, 2018

Only problem is that you can't buy a sharp shovel anymore. So don't throw out the grinder.

Mule Meat · Feb 25, 2018

It is not worth much now that the temper is gone.

Replacing the handle depends on the tool. I can get all kinds of fiberglass and wooden handles at the local hardware stove. Many of them are less than $20.00.

Tools like sldge hammers, picks, ax and some old shovle handles I will try to replace with new ones.

Is it worth trying to save?

Logan in SE Texas

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tomturkey

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Mike Groom

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rrlund

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kcm.MN

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ss55

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Bret4207

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kevinthefixer

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Mule Meat

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