• Introduction
• Important Safety Consideration
• Installation Materials and Method

Pulaski Tool Sheath
A Method To Loosen Up
Hoe and Ax Sheath Ends

Lois Sicking, Mechanical Engineer

INTRODUCTION
The pulaski tool sheath is designed as two components: a hoe sheath with a strap and an ax sheath with a buckle (figure 1). Field personnel have indicated that the pulaski tool sheath is difficult to fit over the hoe and ax blades, especially in cold temperatures when the plastic material is less pliable. This Tech Tip provides a method to loosen the hoe and ax sheaths for easier installation on the tool heads.

Figure 1.Standard pulaski tool sheath.

San Dimas Technology and Development Center (SDTDC) publication “Pulaski Tool Sheath with Mechanical Stop,” 9851-1314-SDTDC, addresses installing a mechanical stop on the pulaski tool sheath to prevent the strap end from coming out of the buckle end.

Important Safety Consideration:
This retrofit to loosen the sheaths should be done only if a mechanical stop is inserted on the strap end of the pulaski tool sheath.

Since the hoe and chopping ends of the sheath will be loosened for this retrofit, the mechanical stop, if properly inserted, prevents the sheath strap and buckle from separating and secures the sheaths to the hoe and chopping ends of the pulaski.

Presently, the pulaski tool sheath has one washer on each side of the rivets that hold the tool sheath together and no washers between the contact surfaces of the sheath. This Tech Tip provides instructions on how to add four washers to separate the sheath contact surfaces (figure 2). These washers act as spacers and reinforce the current pulaski tool sheath. Consequently, the sheath is easier to install and remove from the tool cutting edges, especially during low temperatures. These modifications improve tool safety over the current sheath design.

Figure 2. Standard pulaski tool sheath with additional washers as spacers.

Installation Materials and Method
Materials and tools:

• Pulaski tool sheath
• Stem rivets with 3/16-in (4.8-mm) diameter and 1/2-in (13-mm) stem. Each sheath requires four rivets.
• Number 10 washers, 1/2-in (13-mm). Each sheath requires 24 washers.
• Rivet setter gun

Reminder - This retrofit to loosen the sheaths should be done only if a mechanical stop is inserted on the strap end of the pulaski tool sheath. See Fire Management Tech Tip 9851-1314-SDTDC, “Pulaski Tool Sheath with Mechanical Stop.”

Method:
1. Remove old rivets with an industrial belt sander (figure 3), making sure to use the proper personal protective equipment.

Figure 3a and 3b.  Remove old rivets from the pulaski tool sheath.

2. Place four ˝-in (12.7-mm) number 10 washers between each sheath tie down. Place a washer on each side of the rivet hole, on the outside (figure 4). A total of six washers will be used.

Figure 4. The six washers installed on the sheath tie down.

3. Insert a new rivet, stem first, into the original hole. Set rivet with washers in place (figure 5). Some final surface finishing may be required to obtain a smooth rivet surface through use of a hand file, an industrial belt sander, or sandpaper.

Figure 5. Set rivets with washers in place.

4. Pull tight to test the joining of the rivet and washers (figure 6).

Figure 6.  Pull test the rivet for strength of installation

For further information or to share comments and recommendations for further study, contact SDTDC by phone at 909-599-1267 or by e-mail at mailroom_wo_sdtdc@fs.fed.us.

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