Had some nice dowel wedges done up!

[FortyTwoBlades]

I can't take credit for the idea of using a tapered dowel as an alternative to steel barrel wedges, but I'm happy to be able to offer them in a convenient and precisely-made form. I've been hand-making them for many of my personal axes, and they give an attractive look in addition to being easier to drill out of an eye when replacing a handle than steel wedges are.

I had these made in hard maple by a local company here in Maine and they have the same length and spread as a hatchet's conventional wooden wedge would, tapering from 3/8" at one end to 5/8" at the other, with a length of 1.5". Pre-bore a 3/8" hole in the eye to the desired depth, put a dab of wood glue in the bottom (optional), and then drive it in. Works a treat.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Do these stay in without glue?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Do these stay in without glue?

I've never had any issue with 'em staying in. As mentioned, it has the same slope as a conventional off-the-shelf hatchet wedge, just 360°. You're just using a round "kerf" (the hole) instead of sawing a straight one.

 

[DB_Cruiser]

I saw the axe you hung with one of those wedges and I was going to ask you for details regarding it. I think I may have a use for those. Very cool!

 

[Peck Price]

Neat idea, how about a visual for us?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Neat idea, how about a visual for us?

Crappy light on account of it being in the workshop and the way that it gets dark so early this time of year, but I rehung a Council Camp Carver on a 24" handle for a customer today and used one of the maple dowel wedges for the final wedging. Got some excellent compression.

 

[Meek1]

Crappy light on account of it being in the workshop and the way that it gets dark so early this time of year, but I rehung a Council Camp Carver on a 24" handle for a customer today and used one of the maple dowel wedges for the final wedging. Got some excellent compression.

Wow, now that is pretty cool. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Peck Price]

Ahh, the light has come on in my brain now (about a 16 watt bulb) Thanks for taking the time to post the pic

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'll have more later. I snapped some other pics at the time I was installing it and a couple of the finished product this morning, but need to adjust the white balance/contrast on them so they're not all bland low-contrast from the somewhat murky lighting. I'll be spending most of my morning and early afternoon on the road today, but ought to have 'em together this evening if things go to plan.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]