What to do?

Z

zakkmann

Joined
Dec 8, 2010
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I recently picked up this nice old axe from an antiques store and I want to take the handle off to make restoring and such easier. The handle has two large metal wedges which I dont want to destroy and I don't want to cut the handle off to pound them out. does anyone have any ideas of how i could go about this...

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Take a small drill bit -1/8 inch or so and drill at up from the handle side of the axe to get to the wedge, pretty staight , not to much angle. Get a pin punch or piece of rod or bar stock and tap the wedges out. Now open your vise and hang the handle sown between the jaws and tap down on the handle.

if you understand what i am trying to say this isn't to hard to do. If the handle is good the small holes would hurt much and the handle will still be usable.





Pat
 
A cold chisel on the side of the one that is protruding will give you a good start, once that one is out you should be able to get the second one out, the wood looks a bit old so it may be safer to get a new handle any way.

Richard
 
Thanks fellows, Yeah I used all of your advice and it worked good i got the wedges out intact, yeah after i got the handle off I gave it a good look over and i'll have to replace it but thats only a minor inconvenience. The axe head is in great condition and rings like a bell when you tap it. It also has a quite a nice goose wing. it has made in u.s.a stamped on the side.

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I believe we have the same axe head. Who the manufacturer is I don't know, but as you say it has a nice ring.

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Awesome, The steel is just right not to hard and not to soft it took me about an hour to get a good edge on it. still need to get a new handle. Im thinking it will have preety good edge retention.
 
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