Axe Stand or Shelf?

C

craft

Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Messages
42
I'd like to build an axe stand or shelf for my babies, but I've not seen many examples. I was thinking of making a large plank to hang on the wall, with dowel holes drilled in a grid-like pattern. I could place dowels into various holes to hang my existing axes, while leaving the option open to add additional axes, or reconfigure the location of existing axes by moving the dowels around.

Any thoughts, ideas or examples of storing 5-10 axes?
 
The only thing I can think of is pegboard.
Cut down the metal hangers and put some rubber hose, like black 1/4" diameter fuel line, over the metal hangers.

I've thought about doing it, but my pegboard is currently loaded.

There are a few folks on the board that have done very nice wall mounted setups using 2x4's and pegs at angles so that they can hang longer axes at the bottom and hatchets towards the top.

The sky is the limit. The only limitation is your time, budget, imagination, and craftsmanship skills.
 
Thanks for the input, Dave. I was thinking about something a little more ornate than pegboard, to place the axes on a wall inside my house.

I have some nice curly maple from which I'd like to make a panel, and drill the grid for dowel holes.

I was hoping someone could reference another design which I might like. I love being creative, but sometimes I'm too lazy and would rather just copy a nice design :)
 
Patience. There's a few guys on here who have made some nice axe racks. I'm sure they'll be along soon.
 
Probably it's not uncommon but I always think that the air inside of a house it not really compatible with proper axe storage. You get a far to great a shift in conditions from where you use it and where you store it so the handle wood will be in constant movement plus you will have to take more care in preventing rust from condensation of moisture caused by the sudden temperature change between inside and outside and the typical heating system in the house creates an overly dried out environment. Better to store the axes in an unheated shed where the conditions are close to the outside where they are used, and ideally with the heads down close to the ground.

E.DB.
 
Ernest, thanks for your input. I do agree with you, that storing axes inside a house is not ideal. But I don't like storing my axes in the shed either. We have big humidity fluctuations, with especially high humidity in the summer. This causes the handle to swell under pressure of the eye, which causes permanent compression shrinkage. Our goals are the same, in both cases trying to avoid moisture and temperature cycling. I have a humidifier on my furnace that heats the home and I keep the axes in a room that does not have direct heat, so as to have smaller amounts of humidity and temperature cycling.

But your comments do have me re-thinking my strategy for axe storage, so thanks for the advice. In the canonical book, Understanding Wood, Hoadley states that he stores his axes in the garage with plastic bags around the head. This seems to be a good median between inside and outside storage, since most garages are not heated, but do not fully reach outside temperature or humidity levels.
 
Right now, with the change of seasons, is a gut wrenching period as I watch all manner of tools I keep out in the barn take on a layer of light rust. What can really be done about it? In some cases I am resigned and don't let it bother me greatly, nothing wrong when the tools take on signs of age and with use this kind of corrosion is only superficial. (I am now setting aside my firewood splitting axe - not a maul - until next season but with the recent use it is looking highly polished). With other tools it is a matter of keeping on top of it and I do find that the camilla oil I use gives a fairly good protection. Very critical to understand what you write about the permanent compression that happens as the wood handle in the tool is subjected to seasonal fluctuations of humidity and good storage will minimize the extreams.

E.DB.
 
Try Googling "Plumb axe display rack". I've looked for ideas lately too. You'll see a few cool older ideas.
 
I'll trot this out again- I have a bigger one (with fewer rungs) for axes, but this was my second attempt and came out better.
I'm more interested in having somewhere to put them than in looking at them all at once. This just leans against a wall and is easily relocated when you think of a more appropriate wall. Might be hazardous to climbing tots and pets.
sJ3fTDME
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top