How to Make a Hoe Handle

Cut the wood down to size. Use a table saw to cut your wood to a manageable size. The length of your handle should be about 54 inches long. Your wood should be about one and a half inches by one and a half inches.

Shape the wood. Use a lathe to shape the wood so that it will be comfortable in your hands as you hoe. The handle should be more or less round. If you do not have a lathe, use a wood chisel and mallet.

Fit the end. Place the eye of the hoe on top of the end of the handle and use the pencil to trace the circumference of the eye onto the wood. This will give you an idea of the shape and diameter that the wood needs to be whittled down to. Use the chisel to taper the end of the handle until it fits snugly into the eye of the hoe.

Secure the handle. Place the hoe on the ground, front end down and step on it. Hammer the top of the handle with the mallet to wedge it into the eye of the hoe. Push two or more wood shims down between the handle and the eye and hammer them in.

Sand the handle. Use the sand paper to sand off any rough edges or splinters on your handle. The handle should be smooth when you're done.

Treat the handle. Use a paint brush to paint the handle with outdoor polyurethane wood stain. This is obtainable at your local hardware store. Coat the entire handle then let it dry.