Vintage haft question

ultrahesh

ultrahesh

Joined
May 24, 2008
Messages
745
Is this worth trying to reuse? It looks sketchy to me, but I'll defer to the experts




 
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It depends on the handle shape, if it's a nice curvy handle with a good fawns foot then maybe you could try to fit it to a hatchet or something.
 
If you like the length and shape of this handle AND it is better (tighter) than just a slip fit into the tool head, you might also just epoxy the pieces back together - with a filler in the old wedge slot. When dry, simply refit and rewedge to your tool - wedges going perpendicular or at 45° angles to the side walls.
 
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What is this for? Is it a hatchet, boys axe, or full-size? If it feels greta in the hand, I would try to reuse it by seating the head lower on the handle, remove the gunk from the kerf, and cut it to the right depth of 2/3 the depth of the eye. You may end up needing multiple wedges, but there's no harm in trying. Just be aware that the wood may be compromised...I recently re-hung a head on it's original haft and all seemed great until the wood in the eye broke in use. Use it gently at first and slowly step up the effort.

Also, was it the original haft? I have some older hafts that, while slim, were not original and were simply worn out and dry-rotted. I tossed them with a quickness.
 
SC T100 said:
What is this for? Is it a hatchet, boys axe, or full-size? If it feels greta in the hand, I would try to reuse it by seating the head lower on the handle, remove the gunk from the kerf, and cut it to the right depth of 2/3 the depth of the eye. You may end up needing multiple wedges, but there's no harm in trying. Just be aware that the wood may be compromised...I recently re-hung a head on it's original haft and all seemed great until the wood in the eye broke in use. Use it gently at first and slowly step up the effort.

Also, was it the original haft? I have some older hafts that, while slim, were not original and were simply worn out and dry-rotted. I tossed them with a quickness.
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It is a 25" boys axe handle. I'm not sure if it is original, but it is strait and has perfect grain orientation. It's in excellent condition other than the kerf. It will be a shame if it can't be reused, but I intend to have a useable tool
 
Sounds like it's a great candidate then as long as it isn't dry-rotted. Have at it! And most importantly, post pics!
 
Cut a wedge to fit it, glue it in place, clamp and let dry then cut a new well centered kerf.
 
Peg's suggestion is a good one. However, how many of us have a use for such a thing? If somehow that original off center kerf can be cleaned up and a convenient hardwood shim carefully fitted and thoroughly glued in there (Titebond II, Resorcinol etc premium water proof stuff) so that a symmetrical kerf can be cut to hold a new wedge, that might also be worth a shot.
Or you can clean up the handle for display use to complete a 'wall hanger' head.
 
grafton said:
Cut a wedge to fit it, glue it in place, clamp and let dry then cut a new well centered kerf.
Click to expand...

This sounds like something worth trying. I was thinking something simular but without the wedge. Thanks for the idea
 
300Six said:
Peg's suggestion is a good one. However, how many of us have a use for such a thing? If somehow that original off center kerf can be cleaned up and a convenient hardwood shim carefully fitted and thoroughly glued in there (Titebond II, Resorcinol etc premium water proof stuff) so that a symmetrical kerf can be cut to hold a new wedge, that might also be worth a shot.
Or you can clean up the handle for display use to complete a 'wall hanger' head.
Click to expand...
This is along the same line of thinking as grafton had posted, again, thank you for the idea. I don't do "wall hangers", everything I rehang has to be in useable condition whether it gets used or not
 
Just to add to grafton and 300Six's replies, if I were to go that route, I would first trim out the crack so the walls and bottom are flat and smooth.

Something like one of these:
25440079325_760aee42c9.jpg


That way you will glue flat surfaces to flat surfaces.

Just something to consider.

Bob
 
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