Help Identifying Grandfather's Axe

Plumb Au-to-graf

VINTAGE-RARE-PLUMB-AUTOGRAF-AUTOGRAPH-DOUBLE-BIT-A.jpg
 
I'd avoid vinegar like the devil--the finish it makes is ugly as sin. If not using electrolysis I'd just hit it with a long-bristled wire brush in a drill and call it a day.
 
waynemanning74 said:
I agree but some people aren't handy or worry messing with electrolysis so the other option would be vinegar. Just giving another option.
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Nah, man, just wire brush it. It's dead simple, knocks the rust off, and keeps the patina, with no risk of etching it or producing that dead matte grey finish. Just plain ol' wirebrushing is the best alternative to electrolysis, and in many cases (where preserving the patina is preferred, especially in the case of heirlooms like this) even preferred. Just wear a dust mask or respirator and safety glasses (you don't want a wire in your eyeball) and you're golden. Don't even need a vise if you have something you can screw the head down to.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Nah, man, just wire brush it. It's dead simple, knocks the rust off, and keeps the patina, with no risk of etching it or producing that dead matte grey finish. Just plain ol' wirebrushing is the best alternative to electrolysis, and in many cases (where preserving the patina is preferred, especially in the case of heirlooms like this) even preferred. Just wear a dust mask or respirator and safety glasses (you don't want a wire in your eyeball) and you're golden. Don't even need a vise if you have something you can screw the head down to.
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I just run a long enough stick or scrap of wood through the eye and kneel or stand on each end, but sometimes that can be uncomfortable.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Nah, man, just wire brush it. It's dead simple, knocks the rust off, and keeps the patina, with no risk of etching it or producing that dead matte grey finish. Just plain ol' wirebrushing is the best alternative to electrolysis, and in many cases (where preserving the patina is preferred, especially in the case of heirlooms like this) even preferred. Just wear a dust mask or respirator and safety glasses (you don't want a wire in your eyeball) and you're golden. Don't even need a vise if you have something you can screw the head down to
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waynemanning74 said:
Never been a fan of the wire brush using a power tool but whatever works for that person is what matters. Either way I'm hoping the OP cleans it up and hangs it. I'd love to see it put back to work.
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Manual wire brushes work too if you want to do that for some strange reason. Just takes a lot more elbow grease. A little oil of some kind can help it along in those cases. Any reason you don't like using a wire brush? The results are certainly much better than using acid. The major concern is just not to use short bristles or excessive pressure since that can gouge wrought iron on laminated heads or other tools, but long steel bristles have enough cushion to them that they don't gouge soft iron. Brass wire can be used, too, on more delicate stuff, but it's not usually necessary.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Nah, man, just wire brush it. It's dead simple, knocks the rust off, and keeps the patina, with no risk of etching it or producing that dead matte grey finish. Just plain ol' wirebrushing is the best alternative to electrolysis, and in many cases (where preserving the patina is preferred, especially in the case of heirlooms like this) even preferred. Just wear a dust mask or respirator and safety glasses (you don't want a wire in your eyeball) and you're golden. Don't even need a vise if you have something you can screw the head down to.
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I've read harrowing stories about people getting wirebrush particulate lodged in their throats from cleaning grills with it and having it transfer to food.

Definitely mask up.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Manual wire brushes work too if you want to do that for some strange reason. Just takes a lot more elbow grease. A little oil of some kind can help it along in those cases. Any reason you don't like using a wire brush? The results are certainly much better than using acid. The major concern is just not to use short bristles or excessive pressure since that can gouge wrought iron on laminated heads or other tools, but long steel bristles have enough cushion to them that they don't gouge soft iron. Brass wire can be used, too, on more delicate stuff, but it's not usually necessary.
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waynemanning74 said:
I've used that method allot actually but I've found remnants of stamps in the process of using electrolysis as well as vinegar that though didn't last were there long enough for a pic then obviously as I restored were gone. With a wire brush that opportunity wouldn't have presented itself so I don't typically use them
I've been known to go to the wire wheel after my initial cleaning but I like to start slow on unknown axes to see what peeling the layers back reveals.
Vinegar will also reveal a hardened poll which I enjoy as well as how much hardened steel is left in the bit. The patina it leaves is easily removed for me anyway so I don't worry about it. I will mostly use electrolysis though as it's much nicer I think.
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That's why a soft wire wheel is what I recommend. It won't strip off anything if you use a long bristle crimped (non-knotted/twisted) wheel and light pressure. Over-cleaning is what you're trying to avoid.
 
draftdude said:
Wow, very cool. Thank you so much. I realize this axe is very rough, but it served my grandfather for many years on his ranch and it means a lot to me!
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On the parts where the stamp is, if you want to be extra careful beyond just a manual wire brush, those green or other color plastic scrub pads work well and metal polish can help there too.
 
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