Stupendous Man wrote:

Isn't it funny that there are things you just don't forget...EVER!

Last night I used a big slide hammer that I made in high school, 1975. I
didn't know at the time that the weight need flanges on the ends. You
remember it when one of these pinches you.

I hope you took the opportunity to make a couple flanges and bolt or
weld them on to prevent future mishaps.