Recommendation? Loose head advice?

[scdub]

Hey Folks,

I’m a fairly novice axe user but have put a good amount of work into my favorite - a Council Tools Boys Axe.

Yesterday I was cleaning/sharpening
my axe after clearing a couple of trees when I noticed that the wedges had worked their way about 1/2” above where they were seated (level with the handle).

Here’s how it’s supposed to look:


I took a photo of a tree I was working on (before I noticed the problem) and if you look closely you can see that the wedges are protruding and you can see the side of the metal wedge (and you shouldn’t be able to):

Zoomed in:


Anyway, the head wasn’t loose, but today I cut away the few curls that were present and re-seated the head a bit lower, then re-seated the wedge.

Question: Should I consider adding another metal wedge at this point or just hope the re-seat will hold up? If yes to a wedge, what shape/size/location would you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Square_peg]

I would get rid of the metal wedge and re-hang the axes seated 1/2" lower on the haft - shape and kerf accordingly. I would leave the haft 1/4" proud as shown in your top photo. I would add Swel-Lock to the wedge and kerf just before final assembly.

When driving the wedge I would stop just short of where the wedge becomes un-drivable. Then I would cut off the wedge and use a punch to drive it that last 1/8" to where it is fully tight. Now the top of the wedge sits 1/8" below the top of the haft. Then I would hit the top of the haft will Swel-Lock again to swell the haft over the top of the wedge locking it in place.

If it ever loosens again then re-drive the wedge and apply Swel-Lock again.

This is the look you want.

 

[garry3]

It would be a good time to get rid of the excessive shoulders on the haft as well.

 

[scdub]

I would get rid of the metal wedge and re-hang the axes seated 1/2" lower on the haft - shape and kerf accordingly. I would leave the haft 1/4" proud as shown in your top photo. I would add Swel-Lock to the wedge and kerf just before final assembly.

When driving the wedge I would stop just short of where the wedge becomes un-drivable. Then I would cut off the wedge and use a punch to drive it that last 1/8" to where it is fully tight. Now the top of the wedge sits 1/8" below the top of the haft. Then I would hit the top of the haft will Swel-Lock again to swell the haft over the top of the wedge locking it in place.

If it ever loosens again then re-drive the wedge and apply Swel-Lock again.

This is the look you want.

It would be a good time to get rid of the excessive shoulders on the haft as well.

Thanks guys,

Since I’d already re-seated the head I decided to let it ride, but I did buy some Swell-Lock.

I drove the metal wedge in further with the top of a cheap little “mult-hammer” as a punch and let it warm up in the sun before applying it.

Next time it loosens I’ll knock off the shoulders and switch to a wooden wedge…