Axe Head Crack Welded! Pics

Col Defender

Col Defender

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
1,398
Hi

Well here's my little project for today.

First is the head as it was when I got it:
And here it is after I opened up the crack with my angle grinder:

And here's how I set if up to weld: we have water, potato, tools, and Kitty (Kitty not required)
And here it is just after welding - the edge never did get hot. Did I mention I do not weld very well? But crummy as it looks I think I got deeply into it and it is now sound:
And finally, this is how it looked after I cleaned it up with an angle grinder and belt sander and used a little gun blue:


While still not pretty, I think it will be a good user. It has markings just under the top of the poll but try as I may, I cannot make out what they say. Too bad.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Steve
 
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You should definitely try it. It's been done many times. Wrap up as much of the bit as you can with a soaking wet towel while you do it. The head is ruined as is, you can't make it worse.

You can "file test" it for hardness. Run a file across before the welding and after to see how while the file bites. Then compare filing the pole to the bit.
 
Take it to your local vocational school welding class and see if they will Arc weld it for you. They are always looking for projects for the kids and will most likely do it for free.
 
I have done it. I did just as M3mpis described.
I should probably hit it with some bluing to blend it in. I hit the weld with a angle grinder and then a file.
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The angle of that picture makes it look like the toe is worn, it's not. A lot of life left in her.
 
A potato was mentioned in another thread as a heat sink. The principle of the idea is sound. What do you have to loose. Show us pics when you get it done.

Chris
 
You should also consider the heat effected zone in the area welded- not just the edge. Pre heating / grinding out the crack for better coverage and slow cooling in something like vermiculite would be the way I would do it. You don't want it to fracture again with use and become a danger to anyone in the area.
5" inches from the edge seems like a safe distance for not loosing temper.
 
Like Memphis said, wrap the bit in a wet rag. That'll save the temper. What Visitor said about pre-heating/grinding is good advise, too. I would just let it air cool. It won't become brittle unless it was made with some unusual air hardening steel.
 
Great ideas and encouragement guys; if I have time I will do it later today and photograph the process. Thanks!
 
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