I need to look for a monument tomorrow that I think is in a gravel road, but rather than loading up a demo hammer and generator I decided to buy a railroad pick at my local hardware store. I figure the pick will be better than a digging bar at getting through the gravel, and even though it'll require a bit more muscle than the demo hammer would, it'll be handy to have a pick in the truck anyway for one-off heavy digging tasks.
The only railroad pick the store carried was a 6-lb. Collins with a fiberglass handle. When I got it home I realized that the handle doesn't come out of the head the way a wood handle does, which makes the tool much harder to store in the truck. I banged on it a bit with a mallet, but wasn't able to budge it. Any tips on removing the 'glass handle without destroying it?
The fiberglass handle is probably held in by adhesive at the end of the handle or was inserted with a press and locked into place.
A digging bar is easier to use, the pick takes a good swing and having to bend over to get it to strike the ground at the best angle.
I don't think they come off.
One of the crews had one and stored it handle first on the bottom row of pigeon holes next to the tripods. The head laid flat on the floor of the truck and seemed to be pretty much out of the way.
No info on removing the handle, my pick-axe spends most days in the shed. I do, however, Think it's a great choice for compacted aggregate and soil hard-pan. Wear your glasses.
I didn't find the monument I was after, but I think the pick did a better job than a digging bar at breaking through the compacted gravel. The angle of the head *is* kind of awkward, though. I wonder why they curve the head so much.
I definitely don't like the 'glass handle -- the rubber covering doesn't slip in your hands, which makes a windmill swing uncomfortable. I think I'll find one with an old-fashioned wood handle and relegate this one to the backyard garden.
