I've been wondering about something for a while now: when the bit of an axe heats up with use due to friction, could this ever be dangerous to the integrity of the head? Could it mess with the temper? I was using a GB Scandi FA on some standing dead that was as dry as a bone, and the bit got so hot I couldn't stand to hold it against my skin. I know it's probably not getting that hot, but thought I would ask you guys.
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Axe bits heating up on the Job?
- Thread starter jpeeler
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I know this is a ridiculous notion, but I've always heard that if sharpening on a grind stone, it gets too hot for your hand, you need to cool it off. I actually do all my sharpening by hand, but I figured the same rule of thumb applied. Thanks for the confirmation.
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You can soften steel easily on a grinder if you are too aggressive. A big heavy ax head is safer than a thin knife blade because it has more metal to draw the heat away. But it is so fun to sharpen and ax with a file why use a grinder?
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Of course, even using a bench stone one could never produce enough heat to get even close to any change of the temper. So, the water as a coolant is not for temp, its for lubrication just to clarify. And yes, on an electric grinder/sander, it is easy enough to get some real heat going, but I am not entirely sure how much more heat would be needed to ruin the temper on an axe bit as opposed to a thinner blade like a knife edge.
Don't worry about the heat, you won't hurt the edge at all! A good question though honestly, as the rule for grinding an edge on a grinder with heat build up does make sense to why one would think in that direction, especially if it was getting so warm that it burns skin. But you are good man, enjoy that axe!
Don't worry about the heat, you won't hurt the edge at all! A good question though honestly, as the rule for grinding an edge on a grinder with heat build up does make sense to why one would think in that direction, especially if it was getting so warm that it burns skin. But you are good man, enjoy that axe!
This might ease your mind: http: //www.anvilfire.com/article.php?bodyName=/FAQs/temper_colors_hardness.htm
I would guess the temper of most bits is drawn somewhere past 480dF going by the hardness, so you would have to heat it past that point to draw the temper more and soften it. 454 is I think the ignition temp for wood, so you would be setting fires long before you ruined the temper...
The rule about touch is because the edge is much hotter against the grinder wheel, so by the time it is too hot to hold, the edge is in danger. You can actually see the colors run if the piece is relatively smooth.
I would guess the temper of most bits is drawn somewhere past 480dF going by the hardness, so you would have to heat it past that point to draw the temper more and soften it. 454 is I think the ignition temp for wood, so you would be setting fires long before you ruined the temper...
The rule about touch is because the edge is much hotter against the grinder wheel, so by the time it is too hot to hold, the edge is in danger. You can actually see the colors run if the piece is relatively smooth.
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Are those the same peaches that didn't give a shit about work ethic, but only about collecting a paycheck on Fridays?
Square_peg
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It's a valid question. Too hot for the touch should always raise an eyebrow. But you're not going to hurt the temper of an axe with ordinary use. Most axes are tempered to 500°F or higher. You'll never get close to that in use.
Keeping your thumb or finger against the bit when using a power grinder is a good way to preserve the temper. Power grinders can raise the temperature very quickly. Your finger is going to want to move away below 200°F. That leaves a wide safety margin for your axes temper.
Keeping your thumb or finger against the bit when using a power grinder is a good way to preserve the temper. Power grinders can raise the temperature very quickly. Your finger is going to want to move away below 200°F. That leaves a wide safety margin for your axes temper.
Blade temper would never have entered their minds, nor mine for that matter. I was talking about tough old pieceworkers of the past that purposefully swung axes all day long. Granted that sap and moisture in living trees would keep a bit cool but even splitting dry rounds for hours on end wouldn't do much to heat up a head. Probably hottest you can get an axe (besides leaving it by the fire or stove) is to leave it on a stump in full sunlight.