Breaking a digging fork can render it pretty useless but it can easily be given a new lease of life by replacing the shaft and handle. A variety of different types of shafts and handles are available from garden centres or online.
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Repairing a broken digging fork shaft and handle
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Broken fibreglass shaft
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Broken fibreglass shaft
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Clamp the steel digging fork into a vice on its side so that the metal studs are visible and accessible. If it is fixed by screws, unscrew them
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Use a drill with a grinding wheel attached to grind down the head of the metal stud
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Check frequently to make sure that you don't grind down too far.
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Check frequently to make sure that you don't grind too much off
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If there are two metal studs grind them both down
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Use a metal punch and hammer to push out the metal studs
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Use a metal punch and hammer to push out the metal studs
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Use a metal punch and hammer to push out the metal studs
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Turn the fork over, reclamp in the vice and use a pair of claw pliers to pull out the studs
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Once the studs have been removed the broken fibreglass or wooden shaft can be released from the fork
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If the shaft is stuck in the fork, drill a hole through the shaft and and push a cross headed screwdriver through the shaft
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If the shaft is stuck in the fork, drill a hole through the shaft and and push a cross headed screwdriver through the shaft
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Clamp the screwdriver and broken shaft into the vice, grap the fork and twist off the shaft
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The broken shaft will then be released from the fork
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Broken fibreglass shaft and handle removed from fork
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Replacement shaft and handle for digging fork
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Clamp the digging fork into a clamp and fit the shaft and handle onto the fork using a wooden mallet. Make sure the handle is aligned with the fork properly
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Place the fork into a clamp and drill pilot holes for screws
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Place the fork into a clamp and drill pilot holes for screws
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Place the fork into a clamp and drill pilot holes for screws
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Screw in screws through fork and shaft
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Screw in screws through fork and shaft, turn over and repeat on other side
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If the metal tines are bent, they can be straightened out
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If the metal tines are bent, they can be straightened out
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The metal tines can be straightened out by placing the bent tines into a strong metal pipe clamped into a vice. Use as a lever to straighten up.
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The metal tines can be straightened out by placing the bent tines into a strong metal pipe clamped into a vice. Use as a lever to straighten up.
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Repairing a broken garden tool with new wooden shafts and handles
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Repairing a broken garden tool with new wooden shafts and handles
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Repairing a broken garden fork with a new wooden shaft and handle