No name DB experiment

C

CedarEater

Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
390
So, I finished another project today. It came to me as this no name double bit from the metal recycler (sadly he is no longer in business). Its the one on the far left.


Once I cleaned it up I realized it had a crack at the base of the eye that was about a half inch long. Some time ago I decided to cut it out and reshape the bottom of the axe using a grinder outfitted with a cuttoff wheel. I managed to accomplish this portion of the experiment without taking any pictures, but it seemed to work out well. I also reprofiled the grind heavily on one bit and only cleaned up and minorly thinned the other bit.


I had a chunk of madrona around the shop that happened to be long enough for a 34" haft and figured I would try to carve out a a haft from it. It seems damn near impossible to find a clear knot free piece of mardona that length. So, I made the best of what I had.


I love being able to select my own grain orientation from the piece of wood I am working with.


I also experimented with splitting the kerf rather than cutting it. I think it worked out ok and looks good when its done.


This one got some experimental coats of hemp oil mixed with thinner. Then I realized I wanted the haft thinner so took some material off and recoated it with hemp oil...then I did it again because I wanted the haft even more slim. Finally I put a couple coats of thinned BLO over the top of the hemp oil and ended up with this.




This one will be a gift to a friend and if he does use it I hope it holds together for him. He will be informed of all the experimentation and asked for feedback. I hope he likes it.

 
Sounds like a good gift. I can't offer any advice, but I liked seeing the experimentation
 
I'll bet the crack will be fine with normal use. What do you think of hemp oil? Never used it but I live near Washington...

Joking aside, you look like you thinned the haft a shade more below the head, belly/back symmetrical but a bit larger back to a shade thinner before the swell. I like it. I bet your friend does as well.

Madrone. Hardy tree. Visited the home town to see the folks at the coast this week. It does take a beating and stand up to the elements. Burned a lot of it in the day but never thought of it for a tool handle. Pretty cool.

Thanks for sharing the post and pics.
 
Agent_H said:
What do you think of hemp oil? Never used it but I live near Washington...
Click to expand...
Hemp oil has a pleasant nutty flavor which is very tastey and good for you too. The oil is green in color, imagine that. Mixing it 50/50 with thinner seemed to work well to help it soak into the wood and feel dry to the touch within a day or two. I might use it on my next hickory haft to see how that compares to my other hafts on down the road.

Agent_H said:
Thanks for sharing the post and pics.
Click to expand...
You're welcome. Thanks for looking.
 
Fine job and about as good as it gets! Slight half moon grain in the vertical is darn near perfect for straight handled tools. The sort of thing I want especially for Pulaski hafts. I don't know what to say about the split VS saw kerf wedging except to say you've really gotta be careful and know what you're doing!
 
VERY NICE WORK!!!

I am gonna have to do that same thing, working in my neighbors yard over the weekend. I went through two of his axes, the first one that broke the head went straight up and almost knocked me on the head.
Heavy use axes that go through hell and back should be built with a little more thought in my opinion.
 
Just picked up a Michigan pattern like this that I'll need to mod a bit marking or not, only the top needs a big of fixing. Definately looking to this for inspiration!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top