Damage Assessment - Input request

[Agent_H]

I picked up these two heads knowing they needed work to be users at least. Was going to ask for a “damage assessment” from the members here.
Both were inexpensive and both are unmarked. I liked the bevels on each and so figured “projects”.
This one weighs 3lbs 15 7/8oz. Wondering what original weight it may have been. I’ve already removed a lot of metal from mushrooming of the poll. The mushrooming had some small cracks that looked very superficial – and I assumed they would file out.

It is a lot more refined than previously but I am curious as to the take on the cracks in the poll – they don’t visibly run across the poll just on the edges.

Is that spalling from compression? The eye is mashed a touch but uniformly so that I believe it could be hung and used. It was obviously used as a hammer. The poll seems quite hard against a file. If well hung, is it salvageable? – I don’t believe the person I bought it from knew of the cracking other than what I saw as well and, as such, chalk it up to that once in a while surprise. I was buying for the bevels I guess.
Keep it and use or toss it and move on? I don’t want to bother selling/gifting it if it is considered trash or unsafe – not good for the conscience.

The second one is similar – unmarked but very unevenly worn. I can kind of picture it taken down to even it out then reprofiled. Suggestions? I have lots of “stuff” to work on but kept passing this one over in the pile.
Suggestions or experiences?

 

[cityofthesouth]

I'd rock the first one - particularly as you say, as a user and project. The second one does seem to be missing a lot from the toe, but again, with what I would suspect to be a fair amount of serious grinding, you could turn it into something useful.

 

[300Six]

I can't imagine either one of them spontaneously flying or falling apart while you're chopping. The fact that you're fully prepared to try to resurrect these tired old heads tells me they will no longer be abused or forsaken.

 

[Agent_H]

Thanks for the perspective. Appreciate it.

Any suggestions for the second one? Mark it toe to heel then slowly grind to the point where the new edge should be then file work from there to reprofile? File only?

I know to work slowly to not mess with the heat treatment. Haven't used the grinding disc much on axe heads.

 

[300Six]

'File only' is gonna take forever! Grind off the blade tip at 90 degrees to create the edge profile you want. You will then quickly realize how much file work is involved. At that point you can decide to rough out the taper with a grinding disc but at least the blade tip has already been defined and serves as a reference.

 

[Square_peg]

Any suggestions for the second one? Mark it toe to heel then slowly grind to the point where the new edge should be then file work from there to reprofile? File only?

I'd re-shape the bit of that one with the grinder. I'd cut it back so that the heel is at least even with the toe, maybe even a little bit short of the toe. Then a minimal curve across the bit - like a new axe has. If you're gonna do it you might as well take it to the proper shape. Of course once ground back that far the bit and cheeks will be quite fat. Slim the cheeks with the grinder to save filing time. But save the bit and the final shaping for the file. That way have more control and you leave no grinder marks behind when you're finished.

On that first one I'd close that eye a little before re-hanging it. Heat one side of the eye at a time with a mapp gas torch. Wrap the bit with a wet rag to protect the temper. You don't need to get it to red hot to hammer that eye back in. Remember, it spread out while being hammered cold. If you get it hot it will hammer in just fine.

 

[Agent_H]

I appreciate the advice from you guys. Just from "hanging" around here I know that you offered up advice/ideas taken from experience.
Square_peg- I got set up to heat the first one up an found I need to make a fuel run. Ended up hanging the 4lb'er without the heat n' hammer. Did however lay it in my vice lined with pieces of an old leather belt. Got the eye straightened out somewhat - enough to make it a touch more uniform.

Had the HVAC guys here to replace a board in my furnace. They were pretty interested in the array of stuff I had going on. Kept joking that their main concerns are usually climbing trash heaps, aggressive dogs, and payment issues but now they have to watch out for sharp booby traps...

I'd rock the first one - particularly as you say, as a user and project.

My sentiments as well. I like the looks of it. The handle I am using had the kerf cut off-center a bit. Had to spend some time evening it out, widening the cut, and then a couple of rasp sessions to fix alignment. Turned out solid though.

The fact that you're fully prepared to try to resurrect these tired old heads tells me they will no longer be abused or forsaken.

This is a large portion of my motivation. One can buy a new tool, buy an already refurbished one, or let an old one rot. Some of them are not made anymore as technology has surpassed their efficiency/usefulness or they are produced in inferior form now a days.

I keep my wife away from the humane society for the same reason I should stay away from "junk stores"- something will likely come home with us, need attention, and consume resources lol.