- Joined
- Aug 31, 2012
- Messages
- 390
This is the only pic I could find of my no-name axe that was in desperate need of a new haft which was a shame because I really did like the feel of that old haft. It was pretty chewed up and split on the shoulder making it less than safe to swing.
I did no WIP pics on this one either. Lets just say the head came off the old haft real easy even though it was held on with epoxy. Well, it was easy because my brother-in-law removed it while I was re-shaping the new haft more to my liking. I found out hickory sure is easy to work compared to that dry purpleheart and rock maple I been using for my other projects.
Anyway, the store bought haft wasn't aligned quite as nicely as I would like but it will do good enough I suppose. It took me 3 stores to find one this good and I just wanted to get it hung sooner than later.
There was only some very light mushrooming on the pole that needed touching up.
This thing (dunno what pattern it is) measures 7 5/8" poll to bit, 3 1/8" along poll and
4 5/8" heel to toe.
While I was reworking the haft the b-i-l convinced me that smoothing out the top and bottom of the head with the belt sander was a good idea. I have seen some of you all do that on your heads so I figured I would give it a go.
I smoothed out the poll too and put a light bevel all the way round.
Not sure where the balance point should be but this is where its at. Maybe I should have hung it a little further up on the shoulder? If/when the head comes loose I will do just that.
The haft thinned out nicely and I made it a little more curvey by taking the material out of the back and the throat.
It feels good but I haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces.
The BLO feels a little slick on this hickory haft. I think I will give it a coat or two of tung oil before I get my next load of wood.
Thanks for looking.
I did no WIP pics on this one either. Lets just say the head came off the old haft real easy even though it was held on with epoxy. Well, it was easy because my brother-in-law removed it while I was re-shaping the new haft more to my liking. I found out hickory sure is easy to work compared to that dry purpleheart and rock maple I been using for my other projects.
Anyway, the store bought haft wasn't aligned quite as nicely as I would like but it will do good enough I suppose. It took me 3 stores to find one this good and I just wanted to get it hung sooner than later.
There was only some very light mushrooming on the pole that needed touching up.
This thing (dunno what pattern it is) measures 7 5/8" poll to bit, 3 1/8" along poll and
4 5/8" heel to toe.
While I was reworking the haft the b-i-l convinced me that smoothing out the top and bottom of the head with the belt sander was a good idea. I have seen some of you all do that on your heads so I figured I would give it a go.
I smoothed out the poll too and put a light bevel all the way round.
Not sure where the balance point should be but this is where its at. Maybe I should have hung it a little further up on the shoulder? If/when the head comes loose I will do just that.
The haft thinned out nicely and I made it a little more curvey by taking the material out of the back and the throat.
It feels good but I haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces.
The BLO feels a little slick on this hickory haft. I think I will give it a coat or two of tung oil before I get my next load of wood.
Thanks for looking.
