What do you use for hanging axes?

[bbforstr]

Here are the tools I use.

There's a drift made from an old axe handle, a micro-plane, an 8 inch rasp, a four-in-hand rasp, a spoke plane and a wooden mallet. I also have a 12" rasp,(not shown) that I use when I want to remove a lot of wood fast. Of course you need an axe head and a handle too. Does anyone have suggestions for other tools that make the job easier? I also have a copy of the axeman's bible, "An Axe to Grind, A Practical Ax Manual" put out by the US Forest Service. I love the mallet. Anybody hanging axes should have one. They're pretty easy to come by and usually not too expensive.

 

[jpeeler]

Nice kit! The only thing I don't see that I use is a draw knife. I use it most not on the tongue of the haft, but on the handle itself. I hate thick handles, so pretty much every one I hang gets a once over from one of my draw knifes. They take some skill to operate well, but are plentiful and simple tools.

John

 

[garry3]

A little back saw is nice for cutting the handles.

 

[bbforstr]

Nice kit! The only thing I don't see that I use is a draw knife. I use it most not on the tongue of the haft, but on the handle itself. I hate thick handles, so pretty much every one I hang gets a once over from one of my draw knifes. They take some skill to operate well, but are plentiful and simple tools.

John

Good idea about the draw knife. I'm kind of partial to octagonal handles. I think that would make them easier to make. Quicker at least..

 

[jpeeler]

Yes and no, actually. Ironically, I find that draw knifes more easily make curved surfaces; proportionate and even flat sides can be quite tricky. It takes a lot of practice, but is well worth it.

John

 

[Square_peg]

What do you use for hanging axes?

I use pretty much the same stuff you're using. 8" rasp, 4-in-hand, Stanley No. 151. I use a rubber mallet to strike the swell and draw the head up onto the haft. I use a plastic face hammer to knock the axe back off during fitting. I also use a big vise with non-marring jaws to hold my work. And I'll use a little sand paper, too.

A little back saw is nice for cutting the handles.

Good addition. I use that, too.

 

[Jonthepirate]

I'm still new to axes, so my kit is about as basic as you can get. I use a 4-in-hand, a carpenters hand saw (for the kerf), and a 12" section of 2x4 as a mallet for taking the head off and putting it on.

Forgive my ignorance, what are the planers for?

 

[bbforstr]

I'm still new to axes, so my kit is about as basic as you can get. I use a 4-in-hand, a carpenters hand saw (for the kerf), and a 12" section of 2x4 as a mallet for taking the head off and putting it on.

Forgive my ignorance, what are the planers for?

I like octagonal handles. I use the plane and spoke shave to rough in the flat sides. Then I use a rasp to even them up, followed by sandpaper to smooth the wood. You should look for a decent mallet. Antique stores or pawn shops sometimes have them. You can make a drift from an old axe handle. They're really handy for knocking a tight haft out of the head you are hanging.

 

[A Visitor]

I use about the same as everyone else. Like to use a cheap dead blow mallet from China Freight- works great and less chance of damaging a handle.

 

[Jonthepirate]

I like octagonal handles. I use the plane and spoke shave to rough in the flat sides. Then I use a rasp to even them up, followed by sandpaper to smooth the wood. You should look for a decent mallet. Antique stores or pawn shops sometimes have them. You can make a drift from an old axe handle. They're really handy for knocking a tight haft out of the head you are hanging.

Thanks. I need to try an octagonal handle next. I've been thing about making a drift, and probably will next time I have to get a haft out (lately I've bought heads with the haft already removed). Do the wood mallets hold up to hitting the metal head to take it off? That's my only concern with them. Taking off the head tears up my 2x4 sections pretty bad, but 2x4's are pretty soft

 

[A Visitor]

I wouldn't hit the head itself with any striking tool. I made a couple of metal drifts to remove hafts, hit them with hammers.

 

[flexo]

as i make the helve myself: a piece of wood,a saw,a hatchet,a drawknife,a small knife for detail carving,a club or a mallet,a small auger to drill a hole in the butt.

 

[bbforstr]

Thanks. I need to try an octagonal handle next. I've been thing about making a drift, and probably will next time I have to get a haft out (lately I've bought heads with the haft already removed). Do the wood mallets hold up to hitting the metal head to take it off? That's my only concern with them. Taking off the head tears up my 2x4 sections pretty bad, but 2x4's are pretty soft

You shouldn't need to hit the head with the mallet. I only drive the handle into the head with it. I also use it with the drift to drive a new handle out of the eye when it's being fitted. Finally it's used to drive the wedge into the finished haft. The mallet rarely touches any metal. It was pretty banged up when I found it but it hasn't gotten much worse.

 

[Jonthepirate]

You shouldn't need to hit the head with the mallet. I only drive the handle into the head with it. I also use it with the drift to drive a new handle out of the eye when it's being fitted. Finally it's used to drive the wedge into the finished haft. The mallet rarely touches any metal. It was pretty banged up when I found it but it hasn't gotten much worse.

Aaah so that's why everyone has a drift. That makes a lot of sense. I'll have to make one before I re handle my next axe. Thanks!

 

[bbforstr]

Aaah so that's why everyone has a drift. That makes a lot of sense. I'll have to make one before I re handle my next axe. Thanks!

Visitor's steel drifts are really cool. You wouldn't want to hit them w/ a wooden mallet, but everyone has a hammer. The nice thing about any drift is that they are made of material you don't need for anything else. You can throw them away when they don't work anymore. Old hickory axe handles make great drifts. You can usually make several out of one axe handle. Properly made, they work for both double bit and single bit heads.

It's cool you're posting on this forum. There are a ton of people here with way more experience than me. It's nice to be able to learn from the experience of others. I've only been a member for a week or so and I've learned a ton already.

Keep your blade sharp and your wits sharper.

Later

 

[Operator1975]

Drill with assorted drill bits
Channelocks
Old big Flat screw driver
Safety glasses
Trailer pin as my punch
Hammer
Mallet
Vise
Apron
Vise grips to use to squeeze handle to get out easier
Old hatchet handle also as punch

That's usually what I will use to remove and handle. Many factors such as condition of wooden wedge, how many metal wedges, age of handle, etc all play a role in how long it's going to take you.

I have a few threads on rehangs before check those out of u need help.

 

[bbforstr]

Drill with assorted drill bits
Channelocks
Old big Flat screw driver
Safety glasses
Trailer pin as my punch
Hammer
Mallet
Vise
Apron
Vise grips to use to squeeze handle to get out easier
Old hatchet handle also as punch

That's usually what I will use to remove and handle. Many factors such as condition of wooden wedge, how many metal wedges, age of handle, etc all play a role in how long it's going to take you.

I have don't a few threads on rehangs before check those out of u need help.

Operator

Good call on the drill bits, vice grips and old screwdriver. It's really cool that you added safety goggles and apron. Most people don't realize the velocity that steel chips fly when they come loose. My grandfather was hit by a chip from a backhoe bucket pin that went into his thigh clear to the bone. The doctors thought it was too dangerous to remove. The bruise he got was impressive. Knee to mid-back. I hope everyone that works with steel tools understands and takes action to mitigate those risks. Might be a good idea for a "sticky post". Thanks for reminding me about the dangers of our hobby.