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I was really pleased with my azada when I got it, but recently, the handle keps coming off. I've done as suggested on the "getdigging" website, banging it on concrete, and it stays on for a while, but does anyone have any tips for a more permanent solution?

I assume that, like our ones, the blade is coming loose by working its way up towards the handle, rather than actually flying off the end?

If so, try the following.  Move the blade up the shaft out of the way, and lightly sandpaper where it should sit.  Then do your banging on the concrete trick to reseat the blade in the correct position.  Now put a cable tie around the handle, and tighten it so that it fits snugly against the blade. Finally run some Araldite or similar around the cable tie (don't glue the blade to the handle, though).  Leave it for 24 hours to cure.

The effect is to create a collar that will prevent the blade coming back up the handle.

I suppose that you could also use a jubilee clip.

If the blade is actually coming off the business end of the shaft, then the traditional fix is to reseta the blad then hammer a small wedge into the end of the handle to increase the diameter of the shaft.

When you buy a hammer they have a metal wedge type thing in the end of the shaft to keep the head on, can you buy one of those metal wedges to hammer into the end of the shaft to broaden the end so it stays in place? (I hope I've just made sense!!)

Thanks.
The blade is actually coming off the shaft, though thankfully not flying off!
I've only had it since March and haven't used it constantly so I'm a bit disappointed. Any idea where I might get one of those metal wedges? I'm off to B&Q today so will have a look there.I've also mailed "getdigging" to see if they can help.

Quote from: caroline7758 on October 05, 2007, 10:02:55
Thanks.
The blade is actually coming off the shaft, though thankfully not flying off!
I've only had it since March and haven't used it constantly so I'm a bit disappointed. Any idea where I might get one of those metal wedges? I'm off to B&Q today so will have a look there.I've also mailed "getdigging" to see if they can help.

I think a couple of these will do the trick http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=100089&ts=77301&id=18476

B&Q should stock something similar, and if you space them each side of the centreline and tap them in gently at first it should give enough expansion to keep the head on without splitting the shaft.

Soak the end in linseed oil to make it swell?

Erm my solution on mine was to bang a nail in above the blade! :o :o

If there's a real old-fashioned ironmonger near you, there's a good chance they'd have wedges.

As it happens, there is, Robert, so I'll try there today. Mind you, I'm kicking myself because I drove past a Screwfix store that's just opened yesterday. One of those "I'll go on my way back" moments! >:(

When this used to happen to our axes we just soaked them in a bucket of water overnight

That works till the next drought.