How to strip paint on a new axe?

R

readyme

Joined
Oct 4, 2004
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I have a Council Boys Axe on order. I know I want to modify it a little right off the bat, but I am not quite sure how to go about it.
I want to strip the red paint and shine up the head a little bit.
Is there a good way of stipping the paint without damaging the wood handle?
Also, should I use anything more than oil on the head to keep rust away? I am seriously considering soaking in vinigar to get a nice protective petina, but again I don't want to damage the handle by soaking it.
Any help would be appreciated.
 
They come with an aluminum wedge. First thing I'd do is pull out the wedge. Then you can pull off the head and do whatever you want to it. Then replace with a wooden wedge and throw away the aluminum one. There's been a lot of problems reported with the aluminum wedge.

My paint removal favorites are a wire wheel or Citristrip. The wire wheel is the best way if you leave the handle on. I have forced a patina with vinegar on a head with the handle on before. I oiled the wood heavily, then laid a vinegar soaked rag over the head.
 
Having one of these, I recommend stripping the paint with a wire wheel, sharpening, oiling, and leaving the rest alone. Don't mess with the metal wedge unless it becomes a problem. Mine hasn't budged an inch.
 
Thank you both for the help...I think I am going to give the wire wheel a try and see how things go from there.
 
im not trying to thread jack,but ive recently dealt with a few of those aluminum wedges.im not a fan -_- i picked up 2 unmarked 4lb. axes both had busted off handles.i cut them off at the head and went about my normal method of clearing the eye when im not trying to save a handle(drilling and wedge punching) i will now say that those were the most difficult little bastards to get out. now these dont appear to be council axes but beware of the joys of aluminum wedge fun:D
 
After I clean up the head, I will proceed to beat on this axe. After the "workout" I will evaluate the handle/wedge issue. I want to at least give it a chance and not do unnecessary work.
My end goal is to carry this on my side when wearing my bunker gear at work. I want to try this smaller and lighter alternative to out 8 pound axes on the rig. I figure if I am screwed and really need to use an axe to self extricate from a structure, I am going to be on my hands and knees and trying to conserve energy...not the time to try and swing a big ass axe around.
 
I take'm tp work and soda blast them, or glass bead blaster at work.

At nome I have an old B&D 4 and1/2 inch grinder, put on a wire cup and some safety glasses and hold it in a vise or clamp it to a board in the vise or clamp it down on a saw horse. IF using a power wire wheel or cup DO NOT pull in to the axe it will grab on the edge and suck you in, Have it throw out over the edge. Understand?

Buffer and polishing can be very hazardous.


Pat
 
Any good paint -varnish stripper will have the paint bubbling up in minutes. Wipe what you can off with a rag then a wire wheel on a bench grinder will get the rest. Wear your safety glasses!!!!!
 
omniviking said:
I take'm tp work and soda blast them, or glass bead blaster at work.

At nome I have an old B&D 4 and1/2 inch grinder, put on a wire cup and some safety glasses and hold it in a vise or clamp it to a board in the vise or clamp it down on a saw horse. IF using a power wire wheel or cup DO NOT pull in to the axe it will grab on the edge and suck you in, Have it throw out over the edge. Understand?

Buffer and polishing can be very hazardous.


Pat
Click to expand...
I agree, a wire wheel on a grinder is one of the most dangerous tools in a shop. The worst beating I ever took was from one. I was buffing a recoil starter on a vintage chainsaw I was restoring and some how the starter rope was caught by the wire wheel. It tore it out of my hands and was flung around at about a two foot length by the rope from the wheel hitting me several time before I could stagger away. I was bleeding in many places and had knots swelling up in the areas I wasn't bleeding.
 
kleen-strip paint stripper works great. it will get rid of the paint very quickly. just spray it on, let is set for a a few minutes, then wipe off.
its that easy...
 
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