Restoration service?

crya

crya

Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
487
I couldn't find it in a search or in the services offered forum. I've got an old double bit lying in my garage that I was thinking about sending out for clean-up and getting re-hung. I know, DIY!!!:jerkit::rolleyes: I just don't have the time. Anyway, can anyone point me to someone that will refinish said axe?
 
'Restoration' is a common misnomer, how's about we all learn to use the word 'resurrect' or 'rejuvenate'. When it comes to first class refurbishment (especially when it comes to gorgeous hand carved handles) you need look no further than forum member cityofthesouth. Now as to how you might entice that man to tangle with your project I have no idea.
You are correct in that virtually no one commercially offers to re haft, clean up or maintain axes anymore. 35 years ago I had an after-hours and off-season contract to repair hand tools for a major landscape contractor. I got fairly adept at re-doing sledge, rake, shovel and axe handles in a profitable manner but the general disdain and abuse shown these by the workers did not have me seek out a career in continuing to do this sort of thing.
 
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crya said:
I couldn't find it in a search or in the services offered forum. I've got an old double bit lying in my garage that I was thinking about sending out for clean-up and getting re-hung. I know, DIY!!!:jerkit::rolleyes: I just don't have the time. Anyway, can anyone point me to someone that will refinish said axe?
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Can you even set aside 5 min each day to use a wire wheel on it until the rust is gone, 5 min each day to sand down then progressively fit a new haft, then sharpen it when you have a need for it ?
If you can do this then you could have it all done in a month at the very most if you don't work on it every single Day and 2 weeks if you do. If not there are many forum members here that could do a fine job for you, cots is the man to ask if you want a haft that special 👍
 
Hickory n steel said:
Can you even set aside 5 min each day to use a wire wheel on it until the rust is gone, 5 min each day to sand down then progressively fit a new haft, then sharpen it when you have a need for it ?
If you can do this then you could have it all done in a month at the very most if you don't work on it every single Day and 2 weeks if you do. If not there are many forum members here that could do a fine job for you, cots is the man to ask if you want a haft that special 👍
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Um, thanks I think? Can't really tell if you're being sarcastic or? Not sure why members always tend to shit all over those of us who look for a service rather than diy? I guess by your logic I should set aside 5 minutes a day and make a PM 2 rather than buying a Spyderco?
 
crya said:
Um, thanks I think? Can't really tell if you're being sarcastic or? Not sure why members always tend to shit all over those of us who look for a service rather than diy? I guess by your logic I should set aside 5 minutes a day and make a PM 2 rather than buying a Spyderco?
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There's Nothing wrong with sending something out to get rehabbed if you just don't have the time, but it's like saving up for something. eventually all those pennies will become a dollar and so on .
I'm not trying to insult you or anything, I was just trying to make it sound manageable .
A fun little project like rehabbing an old axe is not the same as making a knife .
 
There are a number of forum members here who do excellent restoration work. Have a look at the 'What did you hang today' thread and contact one who's work you like.
 
Well, I was being sarcastic. Just a new haft & lick over the beltgrinder is about 45 min.
A top job to refurbish & rehaft an axe is about 2 hrs. But can be more depending just how glamourous wants to take it.
 
Square_peg said:
There are a number of forum members here who do excellent restoration work. Have a look at the 'What did you hang today' thread and contact one who's work you like.
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Cool thanks for the rec. I'll check out that thread. And thanks for the other tips, and also to those offering what I'll call "constructive criticism".
 
Lieblad said:
Well, I was being sarcastic. Just a new haft & lick over the beltgrinder is about 45 min.
A top job to refurbish & rehaft an axe is about 2 hrs. But can be more depending just how glamourous wants to take it.
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You've confused me. You said "We can do it" but now you're saying that was sarcasm? OK thanks.
 
Lieblad said:
My hot work rate is 100$/ hr.
The point...
150-250$ worthwhile to pay shop rates to fix up an old axe ?
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I'm sure the work would be top notch, but price may not be Worth it.


To crya : nobody is looking down at you for wanting someone else to do the work, they're just happy you've taken Interest in getting a vintage axe rehabbed.
 
I'm not sure of the rules of the forum as far as selling services so I apologize if I'm breaking the rules. There is a guy in Michigan that offers this service. LeValley Outdoors is his company name and website name. I have seen pictures of his axes. That is as far as I know but he is legit. Also as suggested some on the forum may do it for you.
 
I don't know these guys, but if you google "axes from Maine" you may see some seemingly nice work done by some guys. (Sorry, not naming them here.) While I wouldn't pay what they as for a restored vintage axe, their rates for working on one supplied by a client seem less steep.
 
Let’s see,
1. Crya seemed pretty clear in his post.
2. He stated that he wanted an axe cleaned up and rehung.
3. He isn't interested in or has the time to do it himself.
4. He has been a BF member longer than many of the guys that post in this forum – including myself. That in and of itself doesn’t mean much other that he has had plenty of time to see members come and go and follow threads here in their context as they are posted.


Assuming he just sends the head CONUS, let's look at exactly where the costs fall.

Let's say it's about $45-$50 for shipping and cost of handle:

This kind of required to make it happen:

$12 - shipping from him to you.
$10 - $15 for a handle.
$20 or so for shipping a completed axe back to him.

Labor? Wirewheel the head, potentially file out the eye and any dings, fit and true up a head, and shape the handle, profile/sharpen it properly, wedge it, slim it down, sand it, raise the grain several times, and treat the handle more than a couple of times.

Honestly, all of that takes me a lot longer than an hour but maybe I'm doing it wrong.

The only deadlines I have had to meet with hanging an axe is Christmas, birthdays, house warming parties, and personal interest. Hanging an axe is something guys just used to do to get things done.



Fellow BF member asks for someone to hang an axe in this forum is different than him sending an email to a company.

I think some of my post probably disqualifies me to responding to some of the business aspects of this discussion.

What does a $150-$250 rehabbed axe look like? COTS' stuff? (not trying to undervalue his work - just curious.)
 
Ok thanks. Finally got the naval jelly to work and can id as Sager Chemical 1937. You see, this was my grandfather's axe.
 
crya said:
Ok thanks. Finally got the naval jelly to work and can id as Sager Chemical 1937. You see, this was my grandfather's axe.
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In that case it sounds like it really deserves some special treatment, and probably worth the cost of being sent out. If you can make it happen a cots handle would definitely be worthy 😉

( figured the axe was probably just a 5$ yardsale find which wouldn't really be worthy of the expense )
 
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