Instructional Hatchet Restorations Over the Weekend - (Pic Heavy)

[Operator1975]

Well had some time and some axes/hatchets staring at me, so thought I would work on a couple of them.

First one is a Wards Master Quality Vanadium I picked up awhile ago. Looked pretty rough, but I thought there might be some beauty under all the gunk - so had to find out.

Here is what she looked like -

So not a looker by any means, but lets see what we can do -

One reason I picked this one is because of that big beast of a metal wedge in the eye. I want to re do the handle, but have to get it out, and those metal wedges like that, those that run long ways front to back, can be a PAIN sometimes.

So I thought I would list what I am using and how I did it - so here we go - this is what I used -

Now I will say the only way I could get this wedge out is to put the hatchet in the vise sideways, so the eye was facing sideways, and then put one screwdriver in the point of the eye, the other in the back, and mallet away on one, then the other, then repeat, until I got the wedge slightly up above the wood. Then grabbed on with my channelocks and lineman pliers and worked and worked it until I could get it out - it is in the picture, little bugger.

Here is what we are looking at now -

So - on to the restoration -

So here is what I use for the head -

And if you use the angle grinder you MUST use eye protection, and I also recommend this -

Good ole apron will keep those individual wires from the brush embedding in you. Also, wear the face mask, as the rust/dirt/grime goes up into the air - and that stuff isnt good to breath - old timers in the axe plants doing the grinding used to die at a high clip(+90%) breathing that stuff all day everyday - I dont want to go down that road. So I wear the facemask and have a fan blowing all the air outside as well.

Once worked over, here is the preliminary pic of the head -

So then I sanded down the handle - not too complicated - though as you can tell from the pics the handle was painted - so that took some time - I use an orbital sander with 60 grit to start, then from there go by hand - 100 grit and finish with 150 usually does the trick. I wont bore you with sanding action pics -

So once complete, its time to put her back together and show her off - here we go -

The handle had excellent grain structure in it running from bottom to top, so I didnt want to mess with it much - just good ole raw linseed oil to it and then the head as well. Thought it came out well from where it started overall. Shined up nice.

Next one was a C Hammond #2 - some more pics - this one had 2 metal wedges cross ways - and so I needed to remove these in order to pop out and save the handle - sometimes this can be tricky -

Here is the overall view -

Here is the wedge view - yuck

Here was the gameplan - I will drill holes into the middle wooden wedge in order to get a screwdriver down in there and work at the wedges to pop them out -

Here we go with a progress pick -

So all things considered I was lucky - this technique worked - which it usually does - but not always - depends on wedge, and if they have grabs on them, size, depth, etc. These ones were smooth, so not too hard to pop out.

So wedges out, lets see what we have -

So now onto head clean up, and initial view - there is our imprint showing up way better than before -

So, same deal with the handle - sand, and fit wedge - finalize cleaning the head, and put her back together - quite different than before

Just raw linseed on the handles and head again - kept it simple. I thought with the wedge gaps in the haft in the eye would be a fitting issue, but I put ample linseed on the wedge and slowly pounded her home, and it took on the nooks and crannies in the haft, and I couldnt budge it loose once finished. I will keep an eye on it to see if it loosens up.

Well there you have it - couple restores. I did 3 more this weekend, but you get the picture.

Hope this helps someone out.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Square_peg]

Those both came out looking beautiful. The stamps came out nice and clear. The handles look almost like new.

Clever Idea with the screwdrivers. I haven't tried that one. It will be added to my bag of tricks. The apron to catch the wires is another good idea. I usually just put on a denim jacket - it stops most of them. I'm like you, I wear a dust mask and safety glasses plus sometimes hearing protection. Bearing down hard with a wire wheel will make them throw wires like crazy. It's not so bad if I take it slower.

 

[screened porch]

Beautiful work- you make it look easy.
Why raw instead of boiled linseed oil?

 

[Operator1975]

I like raw better because it is just plain Jane nothing else - no additives, etc. it works just as well if not better than boiled in my opinion.

 

[M3mphis]

Nice work, Mike. You look quite at home in that apron.

 

[Double Ott]

Great workmanship on restoring those Mike. Nice additions to your collection.

Tom

 

[cooperhill]

Nice work. Great tips on the wire wheel use.

Nice apron. I have that one but like the one I got from Pointer Brand better. Much longer. (No affiliation) https://www.pointerbrand.com/index.php/aprons.html

 

[cooperhill]

would love the ability to delete posts.

 

[mattyak]

Those look great. I have a couple to do myself and you just convinced me that sooner is better than later. Best Made man wear?.

 

[bearhunter]

Nice work, Mike. You look quite at home in that apron.

LOL

All kidding aside...
Those turned our very nice Operator
Sharp looking pieces for sure!

Nice work on the tutorial too

 

[Operator1975]

BUMP for the new guys

 

[olybears57]

Gorgeous work as always Operator.. I always enjoy looking over your restorations. Keep it up pal!

 

[cckw]

BUMP for the new guys

Operator, would you e-mail me, I may have something you want.

 

[Operator1975]

Operator, would you e-mail me, I may have something you want.

I cant message u cckw, won't allow it.