Tips for hanging a head with a crooked eye?

H

Hacked

Joined
Jun 1, 2010
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Okay so I just realized why I've been having such a time getting a good hang on one of my hatchets. The eye is most certainly crooked. To make matters worse this is an 8oz head with a 1" eye. I've been working on a new handle for it and noticed tonight getting the final fitting that the head was sitting crooked, aligned be crooked. Luckily I have another head I will be putting on that handle, but I need some advice for the next go around?
 
It's my current production Vaughan. Had a heck of a time getting a straight hang after I broke the factory handle and so I ended up with a poorly fitted handle. Well after a few months use it worked itself lose so I'm working on a new handle. Anyway anyone have any advice? I'm rather attached to my little hatchet and I'd like to get it back in working order soon.
 
If you carefully determine the 'off' angles you can then transfer them over to your new handle while you're busy shaping with a rasp.
 
300Six said:
If you carefully determine the 'off' angles you can then transfer them over to your new handle while you're busy shaping with a rasp.
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This. Determine where you want the skew to end up and you'll need to mark out where the head will be depth-wise. You'll remove a bit of material from the top of one side and the bottom of the other to introduce the skew in the handle's tongue. Gotta' start off with enough wood to make room for the bend, so bear that in mind.
 
Thanks, guys that's basically what I assumed. I just didn't know if there was any tricks or tips to make things easier or more accurate. I think I'm going to see if I can track down my calipers to help with this. Definitely makes things more of a PITA.
 
If you have an angle transfer gauge that could help during layout.
 
Hacked said:
Thanks, guys that's basically what I assumed. I just didn't know if there was any tricks or tips to make things easier or more accurate. I think I'm going to see if I can track down my calipers to help with this. Definitely makes things more of a PITA.
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That it does! On the other hand I've observed so many functional old axes showing lousy symmetry, either via a hasty or amateurish hang or within the manufacture of the head itself, that nobody else noticed or at least didn't bother them enough to stop using the tool nor wonder if was still effective.
 
Yeah--a slight misalignment isn't anything to get too worried about. You'll subconsciously adjust to it.
 
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