Sledge head to Axe head question

[P. McKinley]

I'm about to try my hand at forging an axe head from an old sledge head and I have a few questions.

Is the steel in this sledge head usable for a proper axe head?
How do I maintain the shape of the hole during the forging process? Or, do I need to re-shape the hole at the end of the shaping.... with what?
I've been looking for a video that shows forging the lugs without any luck. Any recommendations?

This is the sledge head. No markings. Weight is approx 2 1/2#.


Thanks,

-Peter

 

[Augus7us]

Hey Peter,

I've not attempted one but I have a couple of sledge hammer heads I've been saving for something like this so please post some photos as you progress!

From what I have seen in videos you will need a drift and a punch. Really just a drift since there is already an eye in the sledgehammer. Forge a tapered drift the same size as the eye in the hammer, or the size you want it to be. Once you have it the hammer head hot enough the guys I've seen hammer the drift into the eye then finish the sides of the hammer/axe while maintaining the size of the eye (in sessions, they don't leave the drift in the eye the whole time!). When finished flip it upside down and knock the drift out. Check out Brian Brazeal and Alec Steel's videos on forging hammer heads.

Are you planning on hand forging or do you have a power hammer? Just curious because one of the things that's kept me from attempting it is the amount of energy I estimated it would take. About the biggest stuff I've worked with so far is 3/4" round stock and moving it is tough to say the least, until I get a power hammer

Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in!

I wish you good luck and look forward to seeing your progress!