Welded tools vs. One piece tool

Joined
12 Jul 2011
Messages
322
Reaction score
9
Location
Stirlingshire
Country
United Kingdom
Can welded tools be as strong as one piece metal tool?

I was using my Gardena spader, and noticed the spade blade had been welded into the handle unstead of being one piece metal like my wilkinson spades.

I was wondering if welded tools like this can take as much stress as one piece and will last long as just one piece metal tools.

I always used to feel the welded part may snap if given some stress.
 
Sponsored Links
Welding of similar materials can produce a join as least as strong as the original metal, even more so if the weld layer is built up.
However, it takes more skill, correct welding materials and knowledge if the metals are dissimilar - for example carbon steel connecting to mild steel.
I guess you'll have to put the tool to the test and observe what happens!
John :)
 
Yeah a weld done properly is stronger than the materials is joining but therein lies the rub, "properly" I tend towards one piece for that reason.
 
Sponsored Links
Handle to blade, do you mean? Similar material, the handle drop forged, the blade stamped out.
John :)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardena-Terraline-Digging-Spade-D-Handle/dp/B006MWDDQI

This is the same spade I have got. OMG, the price has gone up?
I think I paid £15 about 6-7 year ago.

it's a great spade though. It has longer handle than other spades, and gives good power in digging.

You can see the blade is welded into the base of the handle shaft.

My Wilkinson spade is one piece metal from blade to the shaft, then wooden handle is inserted into the shaft.
 
I've had tools where the welds have held where the metal has failed through fatigue.

That's not to say that the surrounding material could have changed properties during the welding process and in turn made it weaker.

A lot of welded tools and even forged tools go through a lot of heat treating and quenching processes but generally speaking I don't think there's a lot in it.

Given OPs example, that'll be purely down to cost and saving money. A solid one piece tool will cost more to manufacture.
 
No welds on my new Chinese chocolate spade. Lasted all of 10 minutes!

F8E7E730-E459-469A-964C-AC6EB77F708E.jpeg
941F3F97-7A07-42A7-AB96-03343D0453A6.jpeg
 
No welds on my new Chinese chocolate spade. Lasted all of 10 minutes!

View attachment 150548 View attachment 150549

Wow that is shocking for a spade destroyed like that in 10 minutes of work?

My Draper spade from Costco from early 1990s was also about £10 - £15 at the time, and it is so strong, I could not even sharpen the blade.
It is still like the day it was bought - been through all sort of heavy beat jobs.
 
S&J Stainless for me, I think they're one piece, I'd have to check though, seem robust enough and don't rust. Reasonable price.
 
The Draper is stainless spade, and it is tough one piece.

Wilkinson stainless one piece spades are also good too.

But Gardena welded spades, they work well the now, but will they last for long time?
And why are they so expensive?
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top