Axe Renovation

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futurenets

Joined
Jun 8, 2015
Messages
5
I bought an old Axe for my son and I'd like to clean it up a bit so I have a few basic question:

1. I'd like to keep the old handle, it's a tight fit but there's a small gap near the head, does this matter or should I try and re-fit it?

2. I'd also like to clean up the head but not sure what the best method is?

3. Finally I'd like to find a leather case for the head?

axe.png
 
This is one of those threads where we all point at the search button + Google.

With that said: One can never tell from pics, but sure looks to me like you could save that stick. I drill out wooden wedges. It all depends on what is stuck in the eye, but dig out the wedges and scrap iron that might be in it, drift the handle out. A drift simply works best. You can turn it upside down and take a hunk of wood and beat the head off - I have done a lot of this. But then I learned - and a shorter drift will deliver more energy to the handle so it really only needs to be a few inches long. Cut yourself something that fits in the eye, set the axe loosely in a vise (head up) and drift the handle out. I like to soak heads in vinegar, opinions on the subject vary, there is of course always the wire wheel. I spent an ungodly amount of time researching hanging an axe, and I'd say I hung 10 before I got to where I thought I was doing it "right" so it's hard to condense the information. However, there are a few really good videos on youtube, AND I don't mean to sound discouraging because even my first axe stayed tight and did a lot of work before it became a hobby.

Uh I want to say Square_peg (no tag feature in BF, whyyyyy?) had a source for pre-made sheaths. Check the last few pages of the "What did you hang today" thread. I think it's in there but some others might chime in. I haven't ever used one.
 
google AN AXE TO GRIND, you can call or write for free booklet. you might as well because your tax dollar already paid for it.

buzz
 
markv said:
google AN AXE TO GRIND, you can call or write for free booklet. you might as well because your tax dollar already paid for it.

buzz
Click to expand...

thanks for all replies. I'll probably learn quite a bit from this.

axetop.png


I'm going to remove the head but there doesn't appear to be a wooden wedge down the middle is this because it's small?
 
Square_peg said:
That wood wedge is huge. Takes up almost the entire eye.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree here but you do have the good fortune that this added wedge has not been augmented with the much more common ruse of driving-in nails/tacks/spikes/car keys and other metal stuff that is a SOB to remove.
 
I would remove the head completely, rasp the handle down a bit so the head goes back on the shoulder further which should bring the front of the handle through the front of the eye and therefore reduce the size of the wedge you have to put back in. Looks like it could go back a half to three quarters of an inch easy and it would be a great little axe I am sure. Don't forget to saw the wedge kerf further into the eye.
 
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