HELP! How to remove aluminum wedge in Council Tool axe?

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 5, 2017

Hello EVERYBODY!

How do I remove the aluminum wedge in a Council tool axe so that I save the handle ? I've always just sawed off the old damaged handle. But this time things are different. HELP! I need to save the excellent handle but need to put the head in vinegar for a cool looking dark axe head.

ripshin

crbnSteeladdict · Aug 5, 2017

If it is aluminum you should be able to drill tiny hole in the wedge and screw in a screw half way.. Then comes nail puller ...

phantomknives · Aug 5, 2017

yeah, just drill and a self tapping screw

Lieblad · Aug 5, 2017

Agree, just drill into it, screw in a sheetmetal screw. Pull out wedge.
Normally I use hammerclaws, sometimes clamp screwhead into the vise.

Square_peg · Aug 6, 2017

If screws fail you you can always remove it the same way we remove wood wedges.

300Six · Aug 6, 2017

Damned metal wedges are usually stepped but the previous advice is well worth a shot.

Kevin Houtzager · Aug 7, 2017

junkenstien · Aug 7, 2017

I have thought of forcing them out with a press or a gear puller ,don't you risk dorking the eye?

Kevin Houtzager · Aug 7, 2017

cityofthesouth · Aug 7, 2017

I try to get a bite on the wedge with a small chisel and get it wiggling (easy to destroy the wedge obviously, so you gotta go easy at first). Eventually you can get somewhat upward force going on it and typically they'll work their way up. This works well combined with Square Peg's advice, but you may want to save that until you pull the wood wedge.

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 23, 2017

crbnSteeladdict said:
If it is aluminum you should be able to drill tiny hole in the wedge and screw in a screw half way.. Then comes nail puller ...

Thanks! I will try this. ripshin

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 23, 2017

Lieblad said:
Agree, just drill into it, screw in a sheetmetal screw. Pull out wedge.
Normally I use hammerclaws, sometimes clamp screwhead into the vise.

Thanks! I will try this! Seems to me that I saw Cody on WranglerStar doing the same thing. ripshin

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 23, 2017

cityofthesouth said:
I try to get a bite on the wedge with a small chisel and get it wiggling (easy to destroy the wedge obviously, so you gotta go easy at first). Eventually you can get somewhat upward force going on it and typically they'll work their way up. This works well combined with Square Peg's advice, but you may want to save that until you pull the wood wedge.

I will try this also! Everything is worth a try. ripshin

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 23, 2017

cityofthesouth said:
I try to get a bite on the wedge with a small chisel and get it wiggling (easy to destroy the wedge obviously, so you gotta go easy at first). Eventually you can get somewhat upward force going on it and typically they'll work their way up. This works well combined with Square Peg's advice, but you may want to save that until you pull the wood wedge.

I will try your way also. Seems like a lot of trouble BUT it might be the only thing that works, ripshin

Ripshin Lumberjack · Aug 23, 2017

Lieblad said:
Agree, just drill into it, screw in a sheetmetal screw. Pull out wedge.
Normally I use hammerclaws, sometimes clamp screwhead into the vise.

I'll try this! Hope it works! ripshin

Miller '72 · Aug 26, 2017

How did it work out Ripshin?
I hope you had success.

I appreciate reading the advice and hope to learn of your results, as I am sure I will come across handles that I will want to save or make every attempt to.

Miller ⚒

jblyttle · Aug 28, 2017

Is it worth the effort?

Agent_H · Aug 28, 2017

Just get a spanner wrench...

Agent_H · Aug 30, 2017

Agent_H said:
Just get a spanner wrench...

Since I'm going on about it...

That spanner thing and a junk screw driver. This wedge seems to be aluminum but same effect I think on a large steel wedge

It is about the same width as an average wooden wedge. That lets you clear out some of the wooden wedge on one or both sides of a common steel step wedge, slip it into the cleared space, and use it to pop it up and out. Probably more useful on a full size axe.

I know you can use anything to pry a wedge out. Just something else to add to the arsenal I guess.

Miller '72 · Aug 30, 2017

Agent_H said:
Since I'm going on about it...

That spanner thing and a junk screw driver.

I know you can use anything to pry a wedge out. Just something else to add to the arsenal I guess.

Can't find the right tool till you use it!
I like it!
When you first posted a pic of the spanner I thought maybe it's an older English bicycle bottom bracket tool...just missing a tooth.

I see it works great as a wedge pry ⚒