Handkes

[blade dude]

Never soak an axe in water.

I've read that oil works or is that a bad idea too? Going camping so I'll make small wedges to fill gaps then during downtime


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Agent_H]

Soaking in water is a temporary fix that will make the problem worse.

Check.

Never soak an axe in water.

Check.

I've read that oil works or is that a bad idea too? Going camping so I'll make small wedges to fill gaps then during downtime

The only thing I can think to soak an axe in is BLO or pitch.
Soaking as a preparation is almost overkill.




If you are thinking that you need to soak an axe/hatchet because it's loose/coming loose it means you need to rehang your tool.

 

[blade dude]

Check.


Check.



The only thing I can think to soak an axe in is BLO or pitch.
Soaking as a preparation is almost overkill.




If you are thinking that you need to soak an axe/hatchet because it's loose/coming loose it means you need to rehang your tool.

It's far from loose.

current picture before I go camping Thursday. I see a tomahawk in my future judging by my axe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Square_peg]

Wood swelling agents like Behlen's Swel-Lock or Dap's Wood Swell & Lock are what you're looking for. The key ingredient is DPG - dipropylene glycol - which also available generically. It's a clear odorless non-toxic substance used as a base in many perfumes.

 

[Canadian Mojo]

The key ingredient is DPG - dipropylene glycol

Out of curiosity, would antifreeze (ethylene glycol) work in a pinch?

 

[rjdankert]

. . . it means you need to rehang your tool.

There is no substitute, IMHO.

Bob

 

[Square_peg]

Out of curiosity, would antifreeze (ethylene glycol) work in a pinch?

I've heard it used. Keep in mind that it's toxic.

There's an article about it copied here:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthr...e-glycol-(auto-antifreeze)-treated-wood-safey

I recommend DPG.

Also, keep in mind that some antifreeze is now made with propylene glycol, a different product which doesn't swell wood.

 

[Canadian Mojo]

That was an interesting read, thanks.