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First Axe Restoration Advice/WIP

DarthTaco123

DarthTaco123

Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
1,730
Well I guess I'm finally going to do it. Full axe restoration. I picked up a Collins Hudson Bay pattern yesterday for 25 bucks, but she's in a bit rough condition. The bottom point (I forget if that's the heel or the toe) is gone, it looks like it was smashed on a rock. Besides that the edge is a bit worn but there's no mushrooming and the stamp is still pretty crisp. How would you all recommend I go about restoring this piece of history? I have a 24" piece of Maple I'll be using for the handle which means another 12 hour hand carving session for me! Pictures are below of the axe head. My first question is: how would you guys recommend cleaning the rust off this son of a gun.
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Darth,
Generally does not but go easy on pressure until you get what you want( I am using a 6" wheel on a bench grinder). I still sometimes have to use a razor blade to shave off the "rust freckles" and light 400 to 600 grit paper by hand to get smooth but still stained dark finish. Just go slow and check often. Usually finish with oiled fine steel wool.

Bill
 
The handle I feel will be the easiest part for me. I've used vinegar before, but would that change the patina a lot?
 
To remove the rust I usually just leave it in a bucket of water over night and then scrub it with one of those steel balls you use to clean pots and pans.

It is the heel that has been broken of. The toe is called that because that is the part of you it will bite.
 
I've got it sitting in water right now. I may try coca cola tomorrow if the water doesn't work. I'll put some pictures up of the handle once I've started work.
 
Go to an automotive store and get some PB Blaster. It really gets into metal and loosens up the rust. Give it a good dose and let it soak in. Start with some good 220 sandpaper and see whats underneath. Wirewheel does work but also affects the patina and does burnish the steel. Go slow and be patient. That's a cool looking head!
 
The water worked a lot better than I thought. Got a LOT of the active rust off, and that was just with paper towels. I may try some 400 grit sand paper after I finish the next soak.

-Edit-

While the Water worked, it really only got surface rust off. The stuff in the pits seems to want to stay. I think a vinegar bath may be in Mr. Collins' future.
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Jay Mulcahy said:
Wirewheel does work but also affects the patina and does burnish the steel. Go slow and be patient.
Click to expand...

Brass cup brush on an angle grinder leaves the patina intact and the axe head beautiful and rust free. The brass wire is softer than steel and doesn't damage it.
 
I tried the brass cup brush on my angle grinder, so on the good side, the rust be gone! On the down side? I may have been a tad bit over-aggressive and wrecked the patina in some spots. Would a vinegar soak re-create an even forced patina? I think I screwed this into a refinishing project.
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You haven't wrecked anything. It's a striking tool so the patina would be uneven in places anyway. The other day I finished up an old Collins small (maybe 3#?) CT pattern on a HH 28" handle that I stained mahogany before BLO treatments. The wood had that tiger striping that curly maple gets - chattoyance - I think it's called. It came out awesome IMO. Sat nice and deep on the shoulder. The 28" handle is nice and slim. So I'm in the garage admiring my efforts and the history of it & all, when my wife pulls up and I say, "How do you think this turned out?; Do you think it looks old timey?" She says, "There's no dings in the handle." and walks in the house. Keep going.
 
The vinegar is working fairly good thus far, especially since I can't find my SOS pads or steel wool. After another soak or two I'm going to move on to 220-320-400 grit sand papers I think.
 
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Soaked n sanded. Left it with some of the pitting because it's a working tool and I want it to look so. Now it's time to get hafting.

-Edit-
And the Hafting has begun. I've the head fit now I need to shape the handle.
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I find it easiest to shape the handle and sharpen the axe separately. Then bring the two finished pieces together.
 
Well she's done! I forgot to take a lot of pictures so here's the two I have! Three hours, three cut open fingers, and three asprin later I've got it down to final sanding.
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