Re hafting old Craftsman bit

[RonnieV]

This is my first axe. I wanted to buy a GB small forest axe for backpacking but can't really justify the price. So I plan to rehaft an older Collins/GB/Wetterlings bit.

I figured since I havnt done this before that I would practice on a free Craftsman bit that needed rehandled I got for free. Only paid for the new haft.

Right now the bit is stuck half way down onto the new haft and i've been trying to beat it off with a 32oz mallet but that sucker is wedged in there! So it's sitting under a heat lamp trying to get the wood to shrink up and the bit to expand.

Ill have to sand the haft down some more once I am able to get the bit off.

More pictures coming soon

 

[cooperhill]

Not that you are asking for advice but I find it easiest (if I'm not planning on saving the handle) to cut the handle off at the bottom of the eye. I then prop it up on 2X4s and knock the wedge(s) out with a swedge/big screw or whatever. Sometimes drilling as well. It's sometimes easier than trying to knock it off with hammer or wooden handle.

 

[zcd]

Good luck getting that sucker out of there, looking forward to the finished project

 

[RonnieV]

I should've been more clear. The bit is removed from the old handle, it's now stuck on the poorly fitted new handle half way down. I didnt take enough material off before my last test fit.

 

[Square_peg]

Cut, drill, punch.

When a handle is worth saving there are ways to extract the wedge(s).

 

[cooperhill]

Ah. for that I use an old handle or piece of wood. Also, generally don't knock it home (hang it) until I'm sure of the fit. It should slide on somewhat easy. The knocks (on the knob end of the handle) are to seat the axe head. If you're getting a lot of wood coming out the sides (curling up), remove it and rasp or sand or remove more wood.

best of luck.

 

[RonnieV]

Im trying ha.

I tried using the old handle and now there's 1000's of splinters all over my garage floor. So it's back under the heat lamp