Old double bix axe of Grandads?

tarmix101 · May 18, 2006

My Father just gave me an old double bit axe that came from my Grandads old tool shed. On the head it is marked:

True Temper, Vulcan, Kelley Works

. Any one out there with any info regarding Kelley works. I did a google search and ebay has two for sale, but no info. I'm not going to sell this axe, I'm going to clean it up for use. I'll post pics later. Thanks,

Temper · May 22, 2006

If you are going to clean it up, soak it in Mineral oil and dont use a paper coarser than #80.

Do it by hand too, its much more satisfying.

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

Temper said:
If you are going to clean it up, soak it in Mineral oil and dont use a paper coarser than #80.

Do it by hand too, its much more satisfying.

Temper... I did just that. I have the axe head almost done, and will finish the handle off with a toung oil finish. I will be puttin the 220 grit finish on it tonight. Has been hell trying to get most of the pits out without putting it to a grinder

Elbow grease and a little sweat... but it will be worth it. I didn't have a good double bit, and my Grandad would be happy that I'm putting it to use

projectorjcg · May 22, 2006

That is a treasure right there, but the story really isnt complete without pictures

Temper · May 22, 2006

tarmix101 said:
Temper... I did just that. I have the axe head almost done, and will finish the handle off with a toung oil finish. I will be puttin the 220 grit finish on it tonight. Has been hell trying to get most of the pits out without putting it to a grinder Elbow grease and a little sweat... but it will be worth it. I didn't have a good double bit, and my Grandad would be happy that I'm putting it to use

Good man, your grandad would be proud that you stayed true to the axe and did it all by hand. :thumbup:

220 eh? I tell ya, the moment you go from one grit to another it stats to get addictive.

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

projectorjcg said:
That is a treasure right there, but the story really isnt complete without pictures

I agree. I will take some pics when I am finished.

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

Temper said:
220 eh? I tell ya, the moment you go from one grit to another it stats to get addictive.

Don't tell me that. My wife already thinks a have another woman stashed in the garage somewhere

Temper · May 22, 2006

Well, you can mutter to yourself, "Double bit" and give the head a loving polish (oh, sounds rude!) and then a quick glance at the house and mutter "Battle Axe"

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

Temper said:
Well, you can mutter to yourself, "Double bit" and give the head a loving polish (oh, sounds rude!) and then a quick glance at the house and mutter "Battle Axe"

BTW I like your axe collection. Looks as though your Wetterlings is polished nicely. The second from the left is a Granfors Bruks right? Nice pics to. Thanks for sharing?

Temper · May 22, 2006

Alas, no. They are all Wetterlings, I cant get a GB here usually unless I am willing to sell a kidney. I saw a collection of models, all new for a very good price on the auctions here. My own 'Battle Axe" would have a calf though if I bought more axes. :grumpy: Seriously, how can 4 be enough????

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

O.K. here are some mid way through pics I took a couple days ago. I will upload pics of the finished axe when I get a divorce and am able to spend more time in the garage

Temper · May 22, 2006

I will upload pics of the finished axe when I get a divorce and am able to spend more time in the garage

ROTFLMAO!

I would reccomend you tape up the hande around the bottom of the head to stop grimey crud discolouring the wood. That handle is begging for Linseed oil too.

Edited to add.

The Wetterlings as many of you know are absolutely horrible finsih wise from the factory. I found that I could speed up a head polish (there it is again

) by rubbing in alternate directions every three or so times. For example, rub length ways until there are only scratches in that direction. The rub vertically untill all the lengthways scratches are gone. You will find this really cleans up the head a lot faster than being slavish to just one direction.

A couple of things to note though.

1: Dont use paper coarser than #200 when doing this or you may get a vertical scratch that you cant get out easily and it will piss you off no end.
2: You are not going to be able to stop at #220. Go to #600 at least and then finish off with a metal polish (Metal Glo) is great, it also leaves an oily residue behind on the metal that really inhibits rust or stains. I live in a humid country and my Wetterlings havent has a single spot or stain since they were finished months ago.

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

I found that I could speed up a head polish (there it is again ) by rubbing in alternate directions every three or so times. For example, rub length ways until there are only scratches in that direction. The rub vertically untill all the lengthways scratches are gone. You will find this really cleans up the head a lot faster than being slavish to just one direction.

Thanks Temper. I will use that method when I'm....err.... doing the final sanding

Cliff Stamp · May 22, 2006

I have a couple of that pattern, just heads, I have been looking for the felling patterns for a few years.

-Cliff

tarmix101 · May 22, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
I have a couple of that pattern, just heads, I have been looking for the felling patterns for a few years.

-Cliff

Cliff... do you have any info regarding the "Kelly Works" that is stamped on the axe head. Just looking for some background info. Any info would be great:thumbup:

Cliff Stamp · May 23, 2006

Lyman Batcheller started "Kelly Axe Manufacturing Co." in 1835, in Wallingford, Indiana. True temper bought Kelly Works in 1947 and added thier name to the brand. They are generally really well regarded. Can you get a top down shot of the bit, I would like to see the profile.

-Cliff

Temper · May 23, 2006

Quite a few of these on ebay. Unfortunately its hard to tell how suitable they will be for felling because the shots are all side on.

tarmix101 · May 23, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
Lyman Batcheller started "Kelly Axe Manufacturing Co." in 1835, in Wallingford, Indiana. True temper bought Kelly Works in 1947 and added thier name to the brand. They are generally really well regarded. Can you get a top down shot of the bit, I would like to see the profile.

-Cliff

I will post a profile pic tonight. Thanks for the info Cliff:thumbup:

Cliff Stamp · May 23, 2006

Indeed, most of the posters are helpful though, but every single one I have checked was a swamper.

-Cliff

tarmix101 · May 23, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
Can you get a top down shot of the bit, I would like to see the profile.-Cliff

O.K. snuck away from the old Battle Axe (as Temper would call her

) long enough to take a pick of the top profile. I apologize for the sloppy pic

Temper.... here is a pic of the only Wetterlings I own, along with my standard "out in the woods" blades.

Thanks again all that have replied:thumbup: