I've got a lot of files kicking around, in invariably it seems the one I want to use doesn't have a handle, and I've a few where the handles I have don't really fit. I recently found some off cuts of birch, maple and poplar that aren't really good for much else, but would be great sizes for making handles.

No lathe, but I'm fine making something octagon or kind of roundish or whatever.

What would folks suggest for keeping the handle from splitting? Cheap ferrules from somewhere? Bits of pipe? I like the idea of the wire-wrapped handles Lie Nielsen carries, since I think I have some suitable wire kicking around. Curious how one would go about doing that, though. Any tips there? The wire seems appealing as it'd also probably be easier than trying to fit a ferrule just right without a lathe.

In general, I'd like to keep it cheap; kludged together hacks and goofy uses of odd materials are appreciated. I may just go to the "Rebuild" center and see what they've got. . .

Any tips on how to size the hole for the file's tang?