Pickaxe care and maintenance

Tightening the head on the handle of the pickaxe
	If your pick head loosens during use and has a wooden handle, submerge the tool head under water for about half an hour to swell the shaft and tighten the head again. temporary fix as the head will come loose again once the handle dries again.
Removing splinters from a pickaxe handle
	If you find any splinters on the pickaxe's wooden handle, they should be sanded down until the handle is smooth again; however, if the handle is cracked, it should be replaced.
	The chisel and pick should be sharp, but not too sharp. It is best to do this with a grinder or a file.
When can a pickaxe no longer be repaired?
	The handles will need to be replaced if they are split or broken, while the pick heads are most likely beyond repair and need to be replaced if they are bent, as shown in this picture.
How long should a pickaxe last?
	With proper care and maintenance, a pickaxe will last for many years. If the handle is ever damaged, it should be replaced if it is fiberglass, while small chips or chips on wood handles can be sanded down to smoothness, but larger ones will require the handle to be replaced. Keeping the pick head sharp and rust-free will allow you to serve it for years to come.