I often find myself needing to fit a new handle for various tools. I haven't had very good success. Take a sledge hammer for instance. What I do is pound nails in the head to make it tight. While that makes a good tight fit, usually a couple blows later the handle breaks off at the head. I don't know if it is due to technique, quality of wood, or both. I also need to make handles for other tools like hammers, machetes and scythes. So wondering if anyone has some experience or advice:

1. Tips on how to fit a handle securely to a tool?
2. How to make a hardwood handle?