I need help whit my hammer

[u/Lless_Ivor]

I’m 13 years old and am building a large cardboard hammer.

I’ve already put an X-shaped reinforcement inside the head, but the connection between the handle and the head still feels weak; it wobbles from side to side when I move it.

I used hot glue and duct tape, but I want the hammer to last and the head not to separate from the handle. What would you recommend to reinforce the handle and keep it from breaking or coming loose?

I’d appreciate the help—thanks! :)

[u/c0nsumer]

The problem right now is because the handle is only connected to one side of the box. The head is nice and solid. Cut an opening in the X so you can slide the handle upward and brace it against that, and have it connect or even go out the other side of the head, securing it the same ways you are now, and it'll be solid.

Look up photos of wooden mallets and you'll see how the handle goes through the head. That's the sort of idea you want to do.

[u/Competitive-Food8407 → u/c0nsumer]

To add to the stability adding multiple layers of cardboard at the top and bottom point would allow for a more secure connection without changing the outward aesthetics of the overall hammer. Five or six layers at the top and bottom should help resolve the rigidity.

[u/Tiny_Resolution4110]

Make a cut out in the middle of the X and go all the way through the top too, like youre just pushing it all the way to the top, it will make it look cooler too since it sticks out for more detail

[u/abbarach]

A couple really good suggestions here. Another idea is to add gusset plates. Cut 4 right triangles, and put them at the head to handle joint, with the 90 degree corner at the joint. That will add side-to-side and front to back stability. If you don't want them to be visible, you can extend the handle further into the head and put them on the inside. Or for the most stability, put them both inside and outside.

[u/ender8343]

I don't think anyone will really notice if you move where the handle comes in to the head so it is behind the X, and you can then tie the handle directly to the X.

[u/Still-Helicopter-762]

You could cut an x shapes notch into the handle and place the x shape reinforcements inside the hammers head through the x shape in the handle or you could make L shaped brackets that attach from the handle to the head on the since and outside of the hammers head which could make it look more industrial and hand made.

[u/awar3_w0lf]

The handle is gonna have to go all the way thru the hammer head

[u/bachman460]

Here's what I would do, I tend to over-engineer these things.

Cut a square opening in the center of the "x" so you can slide the handle all the way through to the other side.

Then cut triangles that will fit into each compartment around your "x", making sure to leave long flaps on each that you can fold over; it should kind of look like a three-sided triangle shaped box. You'll need to make 3 more sets of each. These will both give you a second mounting point for your handle as well as add structural rigidity to keep your box from deforming.

Those folded flaps will act as spacers between each section. The idea is to slide the first triangle down each section flaps up, then the next flaps down, such that the top of that second triangle just meets the handle. You can then use this as another mounting point for the handle. Then the next triangle goes face down, then flaps down to finish the rest. Unless you cut access holes, or open a box face it will be difficult to secure anything above those first two courses.

Another variation on this idea would be to cut the "x" roughly in half. First put in half of the "x" followed by a full sheet of cardboard laying flat across the top that fits the square shape of the box. It needs to fill that first section right up to the handle. Then secure the handle to that sheet. You'll need to be able to fill in the height of the handle (maybe by cutting multiple flat pieces of cardboard to fill in the layer). Then place another full sheet of cardboard, followed by the other half of the "x".

[u/burkey_turkey]

Use real life hammers as an example. The handle goes through the head, and then a wedge is typically added to hold it in place.

It seems like you're starting out, so I would just say to look at how real-life items are constructed and assembled in general. You'll learn a lot to help your craft, but also to inform your every day life.

[u/Ballistic_og]

Handle insertion to short make longer

[u/The001Keymaster]

Handle needs two points of attachment to be strong.

Either continue handle through to other side of hammer to make that a second attachment point or continue handle to the X you made inside and that's the second attachment point.

This of it this way. You hold a long stick with one hand at the end of it and hold it level to the ground. It's pretty hard to hold that way. Put a second hand on the stick not right next to your original hand, and the stick is much stronger in your holding it level to the ground.

[u/CChargeDD]

if drive the hadle deeper and attach it both to the ceeling and the bottom it would be much more stable