Axe cleaning

A

AxRev

Joined
Nov 23, 2015
Messages
6
I have picked up some vintage axes and would like to sandblast the rust off. Is that a good solution?
 
It depends on what you're after in terms of the refurb. If you want to keep the patina, a wire cup brush on an angle grinder will clean it up nicely without removing the patina. If you want to take it to bare metal, then sandblasting would be a good route if you already have the tools. Otherwise a flap disk on an angle grinder will get you to bare steel as well. Just don't overheat the bit.
 
Thanks, want to keep the patina so will go with cup brush on angle grinder. Amazing, I picked up 26 axes in the last couple of weeks. As I clean them no two have the same makers. True American, A A AND T, Elwell, Vaughan, Knot Klipper, WVTW, PLumb Leader, Fulton Special Warranted fully extra quality, Collins Legitamus. Very fascinating One just has a P trade marking. Really a fun hobby. Old farm auctions etc are fun to check out
 
AxRev said:
Thanks, want to keep the patina so will go with cup brush on angle grinder. Amazing, I picked up 26 axes in the last couple of weeks. As I clean them no two have the same makers. True American, A A AND T, Elwell, Vaughan, Knot Klipper, WVTW, PLumb Leader, Fulton Special Warranted fully extra quality, Collins Legitamus. Very fascinating One just has a P trade marking. Really a fun hobby. Old farm auctions etc are fun to check out
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You're in line to start competing with JBLytle for large hauls over short periods. Collectors are rarely interested in having someone else shine up the heads or file off the burrs and mushrooms so I think you're best off to mildly wire brush them (as was suggested) so as to be able to see all the stamps and marks on the heads. Beyond that until some sort of value is established (heaven knows you might have a Black Raven tucked away under the rust on one of them) I wouldn't be going to town on them just yet. Once you've got detailed pictures posted there will be lots of comments on here as to desirability and present condition (worn toes, bulged eyes etc) and what to do next.
 
i prefer the wirewheel or brush to clean off the junk or crust.
if you have a really rusty head, use a Molasses bath. a plastic tub or bucket with a jar or can of Molasses and some water. let soak for a week. rust all gone

buzz
 
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Just did a little today. Put it in a ziplock bag full of CLR (calcium, lime, rust remover) then scrubbed with toothbrush and toothpaste. Got most of the rust off, and now she's got good breath too!

I fully expect that motor oil and a brass brush will take care of the little remaining rust with no problem.
 
The input of everyone is very appreciated and far more helpful than what I ever expected. I am hooked on the fun of the hunt and the thrill of discovering what is under all that rust. I never knew there were so many axe types and makers. I have so much to learn. I discovered this forum as I was trying to figure out what I had bought (a dollar limit of no more than $6 Per axe. So far it has been averaging out to $3.). Glad I found it.
 
I suggest you go with the wire cup brush on an angle grinder. Fast efficient and leaves a nice patina.
 
These days I use Metal Rescue. Kills the rust overnight so you can see what you have to work with. I'm a work smarter not harder kinda guy so this works well with very little effort.
 
I use an eight inch bench grinder with a wire wheel to clean heads. As soon as the rust and crud is off, I put a liberal amount of WD-40 on the head and set it aside for a couple of days.

Bob
 
I picked up a vintage 11 in broad axe this weekend that was sitting in the corner of a building. When I saw it I knew I had to have it. What surprised me was the poll was beat on pretty hard. I thought they were just used for hewing so why all the abuse to the poll?
 
AxRev said:
What surprised me was the poll was beat on pretty hard. I thought they were just used for hewing so why all the abuse to the poll?
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Ignorance, laziness, or lack of the correct tool. In a felling axe often the wedge would be pounded in the cut made by the saw. Axes could always be replaced when they get unusable.
 
AxRev said:
I picked up a vintage 11 in broad axe this weekend that was sitting in the corner of a building. When I saw it I knew I had to have it. What surprised me was the poll was beat on pretty hard. I thought they were just used for hewing so why all the abuse to the poll?
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People habitually use old axe heads as wedges. They aren't build to take that abuse and the polls get trashed.
 
A quick and high volume method of rust removal is electrolytic bath with a car battery charger. For nicer heads I use a brass wire wheel as it's far more gentle than a steel wire wheel.

-Xander
 
Once I get grinder and wire cup (Christmas) I will clean up and then post some pictures. Next will come ways to display them. The ones with handles will be easier to display but the heads alone appear more difficult. Like to admire them and think about who may have used them and what they destroyed or built.
 
I am thinking of putting up some peg board. Nice white background and lots of options to hold all kinds of axe shapes and sizes. Checked other areas in forum for various ideas for protecting and displaying. Did not see pegboard used but should work.
 
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