Hand tool and process for manufacturing same

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• molding a handle receiving socket of a handle adapter about an end of a tool handle;
• attaching the handle adapter to a tool head;
• and
• removing the handle adapter from another tool head prior to the attaching step.

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• molding a handle receiving socket of a handle adapter about an end of a tool handle;
• attaching the handle adapter to a tool head;
• and
• stamping the tool head from sheet metal stock prior to the attaching step, wherein the stamping step includes the step of creating a foot tread extending the width of the tool head.

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a portion of a tool handle into a mold for a handle adapter;
• molding the handle adapter within the mold to form a handle receiving socket about an end of the tool handle, and a base portion;
• and
• attaching the base portion of the handle adapter to a tool head;
• wherein during the molding step a threaded recess is provided in the base portion of the handle adapter, and wherein the attaching step includes the step of threading a fastener into the threaded recess.

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a portion of a tool handle into a mold for a handle adapter;
• molding the handle adapter within the mold to form a handle receiving socket about an end of the tool handle, and a base portion;
• attaching the base portion of the handle adapter to a tool head;
• and
• inserting a shim between the handle adapter and the tool head prior to the attaching step.

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a portion of a tool handle into a mold for a handle adapter;
• molding the handle adapter within the mold to form a handle receiving socket about an end of the tool handle, and a base portion;
• attaching the base portion of the handle adapter to a tool head;
• and
• removing the handle adapter from another tool head prior to the attaching step.

A process for manufacturing a hand tool, comprising the steps of:

• stamping a tool head from sheet metal stock;
• inserting a portion of a tool handle into a mold for a handle adapter;
• molding the handle adapter within the mold to form a handle receiving socket about an end of the tool handle, and a base portion having a threaded recess therein;
• inserting a shim between the base portion of the handle adapter and the tool head;
• and
• attaching the base portion of the handle adapter to the tool head by threading the fastener into the threaded recess of the base portion, wherein the threaded recess is smaller in cross-section than the threaded fastener so as to lock the fastener therein.