Can't remove my axe handle.

effenoam

effenoam

Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
208
There is a steel wedge securing the handle, not one of the little ones either, the wedge that is normally wood, is steel. I can't get it out for the life of me, I've actually broken tools trying to get it out(probably using them improperly). Even epoxied handles are better than this, dear god who thought this was a good idea?

Any help is appreciated.
 
The wedge is probably aluminum. Can you post a pic? Maybe take a small drill bit an remove as much wood as possible?
 
Have you tried drilling out the wood between the wedge and the head? That always works for me.
 
You do know you are suppose to take the head off by sliding it down over the handle right? lol all kidding aside, are you saying the whole area at the top is steel? Meaning You can't see any wood looking at the top of the head? A picture would help.
 
Cut the handle off at the bottom of the head, put the head in a vice, and use a drift or something like it to wack that sucker out through the top of the head (now facing down). Will ruin the handle for future use, but it will be off.
 
effenoam said:
There is a steel wedge securing the handle

Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Some field crews use aluminum wedges because they are quickly replaced when a handle breaks. If you use a small drill bit and remove as much of the wood as possible you can either pick the wedge out with small pliers or push it out from the top.
 
The wood is too hard, it just burns. And I've tried everything else listed above. (could be aluminum, i don't know).
Guess i could burn it out, I'd have to re-heat treat it though...sounds like a bad idea.
Thanks guys, but any other ideas? besides just wailing on it of course :D
 
Drill, baby, drill!

1-Drilling%20the%20eye.jpg
 
Drill a hole in the wedge then screw a screw into the hole and try to use that to pull it out.
 
I'm being serious here....A hand drill should do the trick. Don't drill the wedge just drill the wood....That will loosen the wedge. If theres to much wedge use the smallest bit you have and drill from the top AND bottom. That will loosen the wedge and the remaining wood should just kind of fell out. Make sure you bits are sharp.....
 
Once the handle has been sawed off behind the head for sure the wood in the eye can be driven out with a punch and a hammer from the sawed side. A few or many drill holes don't hurt and leaving the head in the oven at low temperature (in around 200F) to shrink dry the wood as much as possible also helps.
Good luck!
 
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