[John]

The title more or less says it. I bought a pickaxe / mattock off ebay and the head came separate to the fibreglass handle. I soaked the metal head in hot water and pushed it on thinking it would contract a bit when it cooled but it isn't holding firm.

Should I use glue? I've some Sticks like Sh*t (that's what it's called, honest)

It was doing a great job for me until the head came loose earlier today

[grendel]

normally you would hammer the end of the shaft against something solid, so the weight of the mattock head forces itself further onto the shaft - the fibreglass handle I have had like a rubbery substance for the wide bit so the shaft isnt damaged by forcing the head on, I would try hammering the head against some solid ground to try and force it on further, unlike wood you cant soak the end to get the wood to swell.
Grendel

[Gandan57]

Is the handle tapered where the blade sits? It should be. If so slide the blade on the handle then tamp that end on a hard surface several times and the blade should bed itself into the handle.

To stop it working loose you could put a large jubilee clip on the handle.

[Lardman]

I've got a "roughneck" fibreglass one - do as Gandan57 says, put the head on and give the handle a couple of sharp taps, the weight should pull the head down enough to hold it no need for the jubilee clip or glue.

I'd replace the handle though with a wooden one, I find they're much easier on the hands.

[John]

Thanks for the help, I'll give that a go tomorrow. Funny, I thought the fibreglass handle would be better than wood but the lack of slip is wearing on the hands.

It is a lovely tool for breaking up the soil though