- Joined
- May 3, 2007
- Messages
- 247
Continued from Part 1
After the torch, I hand sand with 150grit, then work my way down to 400. Your hands are the best judge of when she is smooth. Also, run a soft cotton rag up and down, feel for the snags. If the cloth hangs, sand a tad more till the cloth will glide over without snagging.
Now for the stain. My friend wanted a darker Hawk. This particular color is Black Cherry. I did 2 coats, and lightly sanded with 400grit after it dried.
Head Paint. Some use powdercoat, some like parkerized, other like a natural look. Consider that nearly no coating will stand up forever. Once you use the hawk, its going to get worn. I went with Rustoleums Hammered in a dark bronze. 2 coats.
Back to the handle. I am using Minwax rub on poly. This stuff is pretty tough.2 coats, sanded with 400grt at the end.
Now that we are all dried, and prepped, its time to install the head. This is the best method I have found, and if done correctly, makes for a HELL of a strong fit. I have yet to have one loosen up on me. First, we heat the head in an oven at 200deg for 20min. This will cause the eye of the head to expand, and allow it to go further up on the handle. We are using a 2lb deadblow.
Liberal disclaimer-Things tend to get hot when you put them in the oven, consider gloves for removal.
After the head has heated, we remove it from the oven, slide it down the head, take the handle if your weak hand with a modest grip. With several STRONG, and accurate blows, give the top of the handle a good rapping. This is my father going through the process so I can make the picture.
There are a TON of threads on how to haft-wrap, so ill spare you. Citizen Q did and EXCELLENT pictorial walk through.
And here we are, all modded, wrapped up and ready for delivery and hard use. I originally did a small bit of wrapping below the head just because I thought it looked cool, but after using my hawks, it really does a good job of catching some missed strikes, and will save that nice handle from a premature death.
Well, that's it folks. If I missed anything, you have some suggestions or questions, feel free to contribute.
After the torch, I hand sand with 150grit, then work my way down to 400. Your hands are the best judge of when she is smooth. Also, run a soft cotton rag up and down, feel for the snags. If the cloth hangs, sand a tad more till the cloth will glide over without snagging.
Now for the stain. My friend wanted a darker Hawk. This particular color is Black Cherry. I did 2 coats, and lightly sanded with 400grit after it dried.
Head Paint. Some use powdercoat, some like parkerized, other like a natural look. Consider that nearly no coating will stand up forever. Once you use the hawk, its going to get worn. I went with Rustoleums Hammered in a dark bronze. 2 coats.
Back to the handle. I am using Minwax rub on poly. This stuff is pretty tough.2 coats, sanded with 400grt at the end.
Now that we are all dried, and prepped, its time to install the head. This is the best method I have found, and if done correctly, makes for a HELL of a strong fit. I have yet to have one loosen up on me. First, we heat the head in an oven at 200deg for 20min. This will cause the eye of the head to expand, and allow it to go further up on the handle. We are using a 2lb deadblow.
Liberal disclaimer-Things tend to get hot when you put them in the oven, consider gloves for removal.
After the head has heated, we remove it from the oven, slide it down the head, take the handle if your weak hand with a modest grip. With several STRONG, and accurate blows, give the top of the handle a good rapping. This is my father going through the process so I can make the picture.
There are a TON of threads on how to haft-wrap, so ill spare you. Citizen Q did and EXCELLENT pictorial walk through.
And here we are, all modded, wrapped up and ready for delivery and hard use. I originally did a small bit of wrapping below the head just because I thought it looked cool, but after using my hawks, it really does a good job of catching some missed strikes, and will save that nice handle from a premature death.
Well, that's it folks. If I missed anything, you have some suggestions or questions, feel free to contribute.
