The drift punch, a tool essential for hanging axe heads

[Whiskey_Jim]

A drift is an essential tool for knocking the shaft out of the eye. The problem is they don't sell at home depot and the like (big enough for axe eyes). Lucky for you it can be made with a hacksaw. Go to the big box hardware store and pick up one of these rods where they have the rebar sections. It costs a few bucks and will make 3 drifts. Cut and enjoy knocking your handles out most efficiently

 

[Woodcraft]

I use wood. And a wood beater or "club" as well.

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

I use wood. And a wood beater or "club" as well.

I feel ya, I try to use wood as well to minimize damage. Also use a dead blow hammer. That said I had a stuck head that ate my wood drift.

The metal drift with a metal hammer got the shaft out of the eye with no damage to the handle.

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

But I'm just a troll here so this must be evil troll magic

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

It's a tool for the tool box that can get you out of a situation that might otherwise destroy your half.

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

Also this tool is being used before the Kerr has been cut.

 

[Moonw]

But I'm just a troll here so this must be evil troll magic

You can be whatever you choose to. I appreciate this thread so far.

I, for one, also had the experience where, even a few drill holes later, preffered metal over wood for the same reason you mentioned.

 

[Square_peg]

Good idea. I use a similar piece of steel - a scrap of old ground rod.

 

[Woodcraft]

I feel ya, I try to use wood as well to minimize damage. Also use a dead blow hammer. That said I had a stuck head that ate my wood drift.

The metal drift with a metal hammer got the shaft out of the eye with no damage to the handle.

I had one that was cut off that was just horrible once. Used a chisel across the eye and split it off into pieces top and bottom and drove it out in small sections. Used an old flair tool bar as a drift.

 

[cityofthesouth]

I use a wood drift while I'm hanging tools but when it comes to drifting out already hung tools with tight handles, a steel drift has got to be the ticket item. I have made a number of wooden drifts to remove tight handles that ended up looking just like your picture.

 

[garry3]

I just use a couple old bolts. I was always going to make a couple drifts just for removing hafts but I guess old bolts work well enough.

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

I just use a couple old bolts. I was always going to make a couple drifts just for removing hafts but I guess old bolts work well enough.

I should be afraid the threaded portion might damage the head.

 

[garry3]

I should be afraid the threaded portion might damage the head.

I strike the threaded end.

 

[Whiskey_Jim]

I had a stuck hatchet head. I don't deal with them much so other methods worked fine but this one was stuck.
Bought some 1/2 bar stock from home despot and cut to size, cleaned up the edges.

Took just a few hits and it was out. Wood and mallets work great as don't do any damage but they absorb too much shock to move a stubborn handle.