How to solve this problem?

Curt Hal

Curt Hal

Joined
Jul 8, 2014
Messages
558
I rehung this axe yesterday. The eye has a funny flare on one side. The handle seems to be a nice tight fit, but there is this gap on that one side. Do you have any idea of how I might fill it? The curve on the shoulder makes it really difficult to tap some wedge wood into it. Any ideas? I would hate to have to rehang it.
 
Curt, can you take the head back off and run some packing up the side with the curve and tap it back on. I like to use a cut up worn out flexible grinding disc, it packs the eye nicely and can be cut easily once in place. If you need further explanation, let me know and I will attempt to take a photo for you.
 
Or simply lower the head down on the shoulder of the handle... safer and easier than filling in the gaps, this will always get lose and fail over time.
 
Reluctantly, the right thing to do from a craftsman's point of view is to re-do the hand, learn the lesson and move on. I'll try to salvage the handle, but this one needs a more precise fit.
 
Lots of times it's not easy to see, but the hammering the poll received over its life shows its ugly head as a bulge in the eye. It looks like you've got room to drop it down, but you know how it goes, they skimp on the wood in that area sometimes. But to me, getting the head really low never looks bad so you can keep going until you get it where it wants to be.
 
What about epoxy? Anyone use that? I will probably rehang it, but am curious because I just watched the video on replacing a haft with a fiberglass one? Isn't that blasphemy???
 
I've used epoxy mixed with saw dust to fill gaps, but that one is pretty large. West Systems G-Flex is awesome epoxy.
 
Id only use époxy as filler for aesthetic gap that go no deeper than 1/8", its not really a good way to fix axe head, its meant to be cheap and fast, not made to last décades as the normal way is meant to last.

as i said earlier on, you could lower the head down and yes, it would take longer and be more work, but it would also last longer and give you a greater sense of acheivement than using époxy or another chemical filler. imo.
 
Remzy said:
Id only use époxy as filler for aesthetic gap that go no deeper than 1/8", its not really a good way to fix axe head, its meant to be cheap and fast, not made to last décades as the normal way is meant to last.

as i said earlier on, you could lower the head down and yes, it would take longer and be more work, but it would also last longer and give you a greater sense of acheivement than using époxy or another chemical filler. imo.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
 
I think you'd be fine using epoxy. Even construction adhesive would do the job. Apply to both surfaces, the haft and the inner eye. It should splooge out top & bottom when you wedge it. Let it dry and you're good to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top