What did you rehang today?

Woodcraft, something I didn't get: did you install the wedge on the first day like in a "normal hang", before recessing it in the second?

Does the paint thinner in the mix contribute in any way towards this "custom hang", or is it just a mix you use routinely?

Thanks!
 
Yes, like a normal hang. I trim it for length, exactly as long as the kerf. And trim it for width. And shave it down for thickness if need be. Then I soak it in blo. Then pound it in until it doesn't want to go in any more. And that should be about flush if everything was properly prepared. Then the next day I convince it that it wants to go further.
I used to set it up to be recessed to begin with. So cutting the wedge short. I was ok at judging I guess, but I had one come loose. Funny thing is the wedge was sliding up but getting stopped by the swollen proud part of the handle. And the head managed to get about a quarter inch or a little more of play but kept getting stopped by the same thing. I think eventually the wedge worked it's way up to flush with the handle. Unfortunately I was working so I just sawed the handle flush and drove in a metal secondary wedge to finish the day. It held fine. When I took it apart it turns out I had made the wedge to short for the kerf. Even recessed. So my bad. As well as it was a pretty spongy wedge.
So now I just make the size of the kerf, no guess work.
Moonw said:
Woodcraft, something I didn't get: did you install the wedge on the first day like in a "normal hang", before recessing it in the second?

Does the paint thinner in the mix contribute in any way towards this "custom hang", or is it just a mix you use routinely?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
As far as the paint thinner, this is the first time with this mix. I usually just use straight blo. It soaked in and dried up in record time. Lol. I will have to get a couple more coats on to see if it is a good method for me.

I had a bunch of ax handles warp. I some axes in a put box to protect them from what was going on in that area. Then I forgot. It was hot and humid for a couple of days and I take care of my handles, so they were not dry. Talk about stupid right? When I remembered and pulled them out, they were warped beyond anything I wanted to deal with.
 
Last edited:
Thanks so much for the details! Answered some earlier questions I had, greatly appreciated.

As for warping, I managed to warp a handle before getting to hang a head on it :). Stored too close to a heat source...in winter. How's that for stupid, I thought I'd dry the wood faster...before I knew better.
 
Last edited:
i just went to a thing for the boy scouts, i helped the kid in the axe yard up there and they have some jewels, and ticks... ANYWAY, the had 3 nice diston perf lance saws with handles i'v never seen before, they loosen then twist off. they have 2 pegs so they can only fit bucking saws. but anyway, they had a few collins virginia patterns, a flint edge, Kelly perfect and a warren. and a bunch of no names. the kid didnt know what he was doin so i helped. the thing is, they bought boys axe handles and a few full size handles. when i got there there was a woodslasher sitting on a 24" boys handle. i literally lifted the head off. we got most of them fixed up and i split quite a bit of the wood they had. it was big, old growth poplar. and the chopping blocks were 4 feet wide. probly poplar too.
 
traditionalist said:
Re Hung my Flint Edge "Best Axe Made" 5lb CT pattern on the 30 inch handle I had. I also made a quick sheath for it (Still have to finish the edges). Sheath is around 12 oz leather, with a full welt. The strap was re used from an old rucksack.


Click to expand...

Looks good, not to mention I also like to reuse stuff, instead of throwing away, when possible.
 
Two Emerson & Stevens Mfg. co "Forest King" axes that needed rehanging. One a CT and the other a double bit. Used a kiln dried pine wedge (that I cut myself) for the CT and an ash wedge for the double. Tested the single out yesterday and works smashingly.

C-vaDSXV0AARluz.jpg


C-vaDSYV0AUgrPF.jpg


C-vaDSYVwAAt1Nz.jpg


C-vaDSaUIAA31aN.jpg
 
Cooperhill, those are terrific looking axes. The swell on the single bit made me zoom up some.

The fact that you use them along with having a good eye comes across.

Great photos as well :thumbsup:
 
Square_peg said:
Great pairing, JB.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I've had that handle for a long time and didn't think that I'd find a more appropriate hatchet head for it.

The handle is high quality in every way. I don't know what these cost when new (in today's dollars), but any current products truly are embarrassing compared to what was once standard and common. These handles were turned out in the millions but today somehow it can't be done. :thumbsdown:
 
I spent quite some time carving out a piece of Ash 34" for a Plumb. It was real pumpkin wood. Apparently some fast growth stuff. Nothing but headaches and spongyness. So I chucked it and used a #2 handle from beavertooth.
Not the best grain wise, it's gong to be a worker;)

This is as far as the softwood wedge was going, you can feel and hear when it's done. Also it blew a chunk off to the side. That's a sign.


Seated head, before wedge.

After cutting it flush, sanding it, and more blo.


Pre wedge

Wedged, trimmed, blo.



Got a little gap up front. This ax has been abused!








Tomorrow I will try to "convince" the wedge to become recessed.
 
I have a quick question for y'all experts of tried rehanging this hammer twice and both times when I wedged it the handle split on the othe side down the middle am I doing something wrong ? Maybe too thick a wedge?
 
James w said:
I have a quick question for y'all experts of tried rehanging this hammer twice and both times when I wedged it the handle split on the othe side down the middle am I doing something wrong ? Maybe too thick a wedge?
Click to expand...
The wedge is designed to lock the handle on to the head via expansion, but only at the front on the eye and not the back. A saw kerf for a wedge rarely extends beyond 3/4 of the way through an eye. If the wedge is too thick (shouldn't be very much or any thicker than the saw kerf at the tip) and especially if the handle is too thin (ie overly loose) the expansion then exerts force on to that portion of the handle behind the eye. Aim for a relatively snug fit at the shoulder even before you start setting a wedge.
There are folks out there that swear by induced splits for wedging instead of sawed kerfs but that's an invitation to have whatever split you induced travel the full length of the handle.
 
300Six said:
The wedge is designed to lock the handle on to the head via expansion, but only at the front on the eye and not the back. A saw kerf for a wedge rarely extends beyond 3/4 of the way through an eye. If the wedge is too thick (shouldn't be very much or any thicker than the saw kerf at the tip) and especially if the handle is too thin (ie overly loose) the expansion then exerts force on to that portion of the handle behind the eye. Aim for a relatively snug fit at the shoulder even before you start setting a wedge.
There are folks out there that swear by induced splits for wedging instead of sawed kerfs but that's an invitation to have whatever split you induced travel the full length of the handle.
Click to expand...
Kk thx !
 
What kind of hammer is it?

The taper on them is different than an axe many times in that they can be kind of an hourglass shape. Too far and you kind of pass that point of spreading it halfway to make it hold the head on to below that midpoint to spreading it at the base too much.

I've split hammer handles when I've cut the kerf too deep, wedge was a little too big, or when the kerf was cut almost in line with the wood grain.

Recently I have taken to cross wedges on smaller hammers - don't know if it's necessary though.

37B619E8-916B-4B57-9CFA-7F13CE84B159.jpg


Then there is always those last two smacks too many...

Also I've found shaping handles when I drink seems to work out but many times I will wedge my work in the morning :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top