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Any tips on replacing the worn out metal wear bar on a snow shovel?

Should I simply buy a $4 flat aluminum bar and some pop rivets? About $8 total, vs $40 for a new shovel.

Seems obvious, just looking for advice from anyone who has tried it.

Not sure what the original bar is made of. Seems stronger and longer-lasting than aluminum. But doesn't rust. And surely isn't stainless steel, not in a $40 shovel. Thoughts?

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EDIT : adding a picture and notes re my actual shovel.
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The wear bar is about 1/8 inch, and it's steel. But some interesting features:

  1. It is indented (as though countersunk, but bent not drilled) so the rivets are inset on the underside. The bar can wear through entirely to the plastic without the rivets wearing at all.
  2. It has a lip, and the plastic shovel has a corresponding ridge, along its back edge. I do not understand why.
jay613
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  • Alu will last longer than pkastic… – Solar Mike Jan 29 '22 at 20:41
  • Don't know if pop rivets would be ridged/hold enough in plastic. Solid rivets might be better. – crip659 Jan 29 '22 at 22:05
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    So now you're fixing your snow shovel with a blizzard breathing down your neck? :-) Stay safe. – JACK Jan 29 '22 at 23:57
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    Have done just that with thin-gauge steel bar and poprivets. Yes, the thin rivets do wear out, but are easily replaced. Construction adhesive, e.g., Liquid Nails, in addition to the rivets, helps. BTW, I've tried an aluminum strip, but it wears quickly and is so soft as to increase friction. – DrMoishe Pippik Jan 30 '22 at 02:38
  • There are many different grades and treatments of aluminum. – Ecnerwal Jan 30 '22 at 15:35
  • @Ecnerwal I suspect that if I start in the direction of specifying the grade and treatment of aluminum, I will quickly exit the domain of saving money by not buying a new shovel. I suspect also that Dr Pippick's specification was the same as mine would be: "whatever they have on the shelf at the hardware store". Perhaps he'll elaborate. (Although, I never said saving money was the objective did I? "Build a better shovel"? Why not .. ) – jay613 Jan 30 '22 at 15:46
  • I've gotta admit. This is just something that has never crossed my mind to repair. I find the plastic and/or handle breaks before I've ever worn out a rub strip. I suppose with not that much snow and a gravel driveway, my shoveling doesn't do that much wearing on a hard surface. – FreeMan Jan 31 '22 at 19:24
  • @FreeMan I was wondering exactly that ... if you are lucky enough to wear out the bar before all the plastic parts disintegrate, is it time to cash in your chips and leave the casino? The answer from d.george is encouraging, it suggests that an attempt to repair is worthwhile especially if you start with a good robust shovel. – jay613 Jan 31 '22 at 19:30
  • FWIW the original bar is galvanized https://www.suncast.com/sc3950.html – jay613 Jan 31 '22 at 19:40
  • I discovered the shovel maker sells a repair "kit" with rivets for $6. It's not on line, there is no reference to it on any web site. You have to phone them. When I receive it (more than a month in the future) I'll post an answer. – jay613 Feb 02 '22 at 21:32
  • @DrMoishePippik your comments on aluminum would make for a good answer, especially actual experience and noting increased friction. I did not think of that! – jay613 Feb 02 '22 at 21:33

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I have replaced the "wear edge"on my favorite snow shovel 2 times and will change it again this spring. I buy a 1/8" flat steel about 3/4" wide and pop rivet it to the shovel. I have found that it is better to pop rivet from the bottom instead of from the top to make the rivets last longer and not interfere with the concrete. Works great.

d.george
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  • All aluminum is worthless for a wear edge. Steel is best although Stellite is better. – blacksmith37 Jan 30 '22 at 16:30
  • @blacksmith37 is Stellite something I can buy easily in a store in small quantities? for example a bar 1/8 " x 1 " x 4ft ? I've never seen it. – jay613 Jan 31 '22 at 18:23
  • I wonder if a 1/8 " bar could be dented like the original one on my shovel (see new picture in Question) so that the rivets will not be exposed to wear? – jay613 Jan 31 '22 at 18:24
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    With a big enough hammer and anvil, @jay613, why not? – FreeMan Jan 31 '22 at 19:23
  • You can't reasonably get Stellite so that is why steel is best. For heavy use like a municipal street plow the steel is hardened , but not for home owner equipment. – blacksmith37 Jan 31 '22 at 20:07
  • Market this correct for straight steel, rivets, and knowing you can wear out bar after bar and the shovel keeps going. That's useful. If, for my shovel, I can buy a part from the manufacturer I'll post a separate answer. – jay613 Feb 02 '22 at 21:32