BLO soaking - ammo can

[Agent_H]

In another post, I think I asked what other members have as a soaking tank/system for finishing their axes. Some of my double bits, Pulaski, and a grub hoe just wouldn't fit in a bucket - at least not something that I could find with a lid for storage. Those were soaked in vinegar in a shallow Rubbermaid that just wasn't sturdy enough to trust with the residual BLO and didn't seem like an easily re-usable deal.
The other day I swung by a great military surplus store. He just got a shipment of 40mm ammo cans. Being as I have an "ammo can" fetish anyways, I picked up a few for storage. The lid seals seem fresh. I filled one with water, sealed it, and then knocked it over - no leaks after a couple of hours.
These measure 17.5"x5.5" - $17

I think there are 12 axes, hatchets, and hammers that were rehung since June. One large can of boiled linseed oil filled about 3 inches deep. The displacement with the axes brings the high tide to the shoulders, just over the heads. When I am finished, I hope for uneventful clean-up, wipe the cans, and seal them up.

I see a lot of posts which include soaking the heads in BLO. Any opinions on how long to soak them? They have been in 12hrs at this point. I have seen 4hrs – a week is why I ask.
Any good draining techniques?

Just good fun.

 

[lmalterna]

I took a plastic ammo can and cut a hole in bottom for 3" PVC pipe---still need to fix a leak around junction though. When I get time to finish it, should be able to invert axe and submerge entire axe in oil then close lid to cut down on fumes......draining may be a mess. I am thinking a colander over a mixing/salad bowl.

Bill

 

[Agent_H]

Bill, I like your colander idea. That seems like a very efficient way to drain them. How long do you soak yours? All of the ones pictured have already been hand treated pretty well.

 

[lmalterna]

For wiping, I have been using BLO- when I get my soaking set up, I am going to use raw linseed oil. Probably give each on a 3 or 4 day soak each year, a wipe down as needed after that.

On the farm we usually had one soaking head down most of the time- hammers, sledge,axe,hatchet. Just and old coal bucket with some raw linseed oil.

Bill