Axe Handle Fact or Fiction?

[wilfreeman]

OK, I'm going to try posting pics on my phone while I'm waiting on my daughter in Tar Kwon Do class.
First is a pic of the shovel head fitted to the shortened replacement spade handle. Also in the pic is the spade fork and original, cracked shovel handle.


Next up is the straightened tip that I had to fill in by spot welding - there was missing metal. Also my imitation rivet can be seen.


Next is the painted shovel. I thought about just painting the metal and oiling the wood, but that idea went away when I picked up the spray can.


Lastly, the shovel fitted in the Jeep. How exactly is the strap supposed to be routed? Also, how is the bracket supposed to fit to the shovel head - do I need to adjust it down so that it is tighter? This shovel is 9" wide and I think the "correct" one is supposed to be 10.5" wide? Don't know if that will mess the for up or not.

[w30bob]

Matt,

Looks great! The blade on mine fit the bracket under the hood perfectly (I didn't know it could be adjusted). By perfectly I mean the tip of the blade isn't hitting the hood sheetmetal, so it won't dent the hood, and it doesn't rattle around.

I don't know what the proper way is to route the strap, but if Wes hasn't already posted that somewhere on here I'll eat my shirt.

Nice job!

regards,
bob

[45auto]

Weebee Webbing has a diagram on how the shovel strap is routed..........

http://odcloth.com/weebeegraphics/toolstraprt.jpg

[wesk]

A lot will depend on which shovel strap you are using and what length handle. But the MB illustration will help.

[wilfreeman]

Thanks Bob! A little work solves a lot of problems and saves you money too!

I contacted Dave at WeeBee and posted the same question on G503.

There is plenty of info for the M38 and MB, but nothing on the M38a1 - just a couple of wide angle, under hood shots. Dave sent a closer shot of an under hood mounting and said that the strap goes over top of the handle, under the footman loop and back through the buckle. The strap is fixed to the removable footman loop on the left side of the bracket.

I guess I was over complicating the matter (as usual) since mine wasn't fitting tight. Mine doesn't fit as tight as it should because it ISN'T a military shovel! The blade is 9.5" instead of 10.5" and the handle isn't as wide or thick as the original design. In searching for a fix, I found that if I adjusted the blade bracket as low as it would go, the 9.5" blade fit securely. I'm glad that it is adjustable so that different shovels can be used! For the handle, I added a piece of 3/8" self stick foam on the bracket under the handle. This added enough thickness to the handle to be able to secure the strap. It also kept the handle from sliding up and down between the bracket tabs.

I will post a couple of close up pics tomorrow morning after work.

Thanks for the help guys!

[wilfreeman]

Ok, here's a couple of pics. I haven't trimmed the foam yet, so it still looks like crap - I WILL fix this today (before the show)!









Hope this helps somebody if they have the same question as me.