Metal wedges

[Shotgun]

Okay so this has come up in another thread. Do you use wedges or no? Are there times when you do metal wedges and other times when you don't?

 

[Operator1975]

Okay so this has come up in another thread. Do you use wedges or no? Are there times when you do metal wedges and other times when you don't?

I will only use one if I think I have no other option.

 

[thriller100]

ive used metal wedges a few times,but like in the other thread if hung properly there is no need. even tho i put one in "my little bush hatchet" i probably didnt need to. i actually made a hickory wedge for it out of what i cut off the framming hammer handle i used,it worked perfectly(i may have gone a little OCD on it and matched up the grain;P). i still put a metal wedge( beacuse the grain in this handle runs blade to poll so i wasnt even concerned with it splitting....so i guess all and all im still on the fence with them.

 

[cooperhill]

I used them consistently but now less so after learning more about hanging and getting better at it. As others have said, if it's a good hang, I don't use them; if not, I will use one or two diagonally.

 

[bearhunter]

I used them consistently but now less so after learning more about hanging and getting better at it. As others have said, if it's a good hang, I don't use them; if not, I will use one or two diagonally.

thats about the way i feel about it as well... ive never used two though...

 

[M3mphis]

I try very hard to avoid using metal wedges now. I badly split the handle on a Norland hatchet with a metal wedge.

 

[trailmaker]

I've stopped using metal wedges since I read here on BF that it's not necessary. I've had one come loose so far and the nice thing is that it's easy to remove the head while leaving the handle in perfectly usable condition. Metal wedges often split the wood or I mangle the wood trying to get the wedges out. It's nice to preserve the handle, especially if you've managed to find a nice one.

 

[omniviking]

I have nothing against them. but if you don't like them, you really ought to try making your wooden wedge from a piece of green wood. the dry handle draws moisture from the green wedge and and helps lock it up, maple works good.

 

[M3mphis]

I have nothing against them. but if you don't like them, you really ought to try making your wooden wedge from a piece of green wood. the dry handle draws moisture from the green wedge and and helps lock it up, maple works good.

Does the wedge shrink?

 

[1066vik]

depends on the tool and the use.
for a felling axe, I use a wedge.
for a small belt axe or hawk, no.
the problem where i live is the humidity and temperature is widely variable over the course of even 12 hours, much less 24 hours or a week, so there is a LOT of wood movement and on a hard use tool it is unsafe to use without the metal wedge used cross grain to the wood wedge to lock it in place.

 

[Liam Ryan]

I have used brass for a hatchet, kind of looks nice. 2 small ones in place of the main wooden wedge.

 

[rjdankert]

Just to add my 1,000 words on metal wedges:

I bought that hatchet in the condition you see in the pic, and I know nothing about it's history. But this certainly gives me concern for using a metal wedge.

There has been some some discusion about wedge use with long vs short handles. A few days ago I put a handle on a large axe without a metal wedge. I plan to use it this way and see how it works out. I'm open to put a metal wedge in it if necessary, but for now I'm in the no metal wedge camp.

 

[markv]

rjdankert,
his illustration is dead on. if you want to hurry the end of the handle pound a metal wedge into the wood.

if i hang a handle for someone, i give them the wedge , if they want to put the wedge in for themselves , it's O.K. with me,
but i don't recommend using metal wedges. if the job of hanging the handle is done correctly with a wood wedge the metal wedge is not needed.
i use plenty of BLO to tighten things up, and the oil seals the end grain from moisture

buzz

 

[G-pig]

I have around 30 axes, the majority are not hung with metal wedges. I have never had any problems with the heads flying off or anything like that. If you do even a reasonable job with the wooden wedge the taper of the eye will keep it from coming off at the very least.

IF I were going to use them, I would be sure to put them parallel the wooden wedge (ala Mors Kochanski).

 

[M3mphis]

I agree with the above gentlemen. Giving the head a good soak in BLO will make the wood within the eye virtually impervious to changes in humidity. Even the changes in humidity in your garage/shop are quite drastic if it is climate controlled at all!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I think splits in the haft resulting from the metal wedge would be eliminated if the wooden wedge were not made so tight. Wedge it with wood just to the point where it's on there "ok" then finish the job with the metal wedge. If the wood is doing the job as is, leave it. If it needs a little extra hold use the metal--just don't go too large. I agree with G-Pig in that aligning it with the wedge makes sense.

 

[omniviking]

Does the wedge shrink?

the moisture is drawn from the wedge into the handle , the wedge may shrink but the handle will swell, this using different types of wood is an old chair makers trick used on Windsor chair to hold rungs in legs with out glue.

 

[klammer]

what about the round steel type?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Round-Metal...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item61ca14ad92

 

[xtramile]

Anyone have issues with the wooden wedge working its way out during use? Advice much appreciated and needed.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/915914-first-restoration-and-a-question-or-two-UPDATE

 

[Section10]

I haven't had a problem, but I use the metal wedges with the wooden ones.
As for the round metal wedges, I've never used them although I did acquire an axe once that had one and it was getting loose. Don't know why it did, but I'm satisfied with the flat ones. The round ones seem kind of gimmicky, but maybe I'm just getting old.