New User/Introduction --Collins Legitimus Axe and some questions

[1215]

remove the handle, wrap the bit in a wet towel, weld the divot

I hate to be a checkbook owner but in this situation I both: have a ton on my plate at work & home; and have no real experience welding much other than thin gauge metal/stock. The cast iron I've welded has been been quick & dirty exhaust manifold fixes in a pinch (while waiting for a replacement to arrive). I don't know that I trust myself to properly weld this thing.

Is there a person or company that I can send this axe head to for a proper identification, evaluation and then either perform repair/restoration or recommend someone? It'll fit in a USPS small flat rate box and I'm happy to enclose a pre-paid return return postage label so someone can put hands on it. Her grandfather was a tool & die maker so for all we know if that notch didn't come from Collins he could have put it there on purpose and the crack came from her dad using it as a wedge. Her other grandfather just turned 89 and "remembers that old red axe" and the shenanigans/stories that come with it. With the holidays coming up (someone reminded me last Friday that we are 90-days from Christmas) it would be a nice gift/gesture to return the axe repaired. (or show it to them and hope they don't ask for it back)

Thanks.

 

[Square_peg]

How should I heat it? Usually I'd heat an exhaust manifold in the oven at 500*-550* prior to welding and then use a MAP torch to keep it hot. I usually use a big copper heat sink to pull the heat out of things so I can sort that but how far up should I be worried about? Can I assume that one inch in from the blade is enough or should I go up further?

Just heat it with MAPP or acetylene. Easy to localize the heat this way. Protect at least 1-1/2" of the bit if you can. Open it up with an angle grinder to clean steel. Then pre-heat and weld it with 7018.