Making my raising Hammer from an old cross pein

I'm not sure if i will find a need for a raising hammer with this project, but all of the forums practically require one. So i decided to make one just in case. I found an old cross pein that was just aching for a makeover. Unfortunately, i was too eager to get started, i didn't take a "before" picture :(

But at least i can explain it, this is a blog after all!

I started by removing the handle of the hammer. As it was a very old hammer, it was very easily removed by simply pulling it out. Then i used my file set to give it a preliminary cleaning. My initial idea was to just use the files to finish the whole thing, but it soon became evident that this would not be possible. 

I want the face of the hammer, which was flat, to be used for dishing smaller items. In order to do this i must trim down all of the sides so that it forms a dome shape.

The issue was that over the years of use (and misuse) only the lower edge of the face was used for striking making it much softer. The top edge was in relatively good shape, making it allot harder to file by hand.

Enter the buffing wheel! With a 4.5" 80 grit flap disc from Harbour freight.

The sparks were flying, it must be love.

Then i needed to flatten and round out the pein it self. This was so quick and easy that there is no photographic evidence of the process. But there are photos of the results!

Just a little blood! 

honestly i didn't even realize i was bleeding until i looked at this photo

The edge is smooth and round so that it will shape the metal, not serve as an axe.

Now to finish it all off, i need something to hold onto while i hit things with it!

But What? How?

Oh that's right, i need to put the handle back on.

Done! Now that looks correct, i knew something was missing.

To attach the handle, i cleaned up the wood with sand paper.

The biggest problem i had with the handle pre-disassembly was that it was very loose.

To fix this, i heated up to head of the hammer in the oven for a little while on low heat so that it would contract and make the hole larger. Then, while it was still hot, i put it onto the handle. 

Finally, as shown above, i put two nails into the exposed wood of the hammer to expand it to make a snug fit.

And Viola! All set and ready to hit things!