Axe Restoration Build Along.

[DJK Frank 16]

Very interesting!

 

[Jackalope]

Well it showed up in the mail today from Utah.



Inside the package was nice note from the seller.



A couple more before pictures.




Took it outside and removed the plethora of nails and staples to remove what's left of the handle. Gave it a quick wire brush to knock off any loose surface rust. Smelled like the dirt floor of an old barn.




She'll sit in a white vinegar bath for 24 hours. Hopefully that's all that's needed to brighten her up. If not I'll step it up and apply some electrolysis.

 

[Mike]

Not sure if you've ever used this product, but it's gold.
http://www.evapo-rust.com/

 

[Jackalope]

Not sure if you've ever used this product, but it's gold.
http://www.evapo-rust.com/

I haven't, did some reading on it and it seems like a mild acid. I should try it out. The vinegar bath takes about 24 hours to work.

 

[Jackalope]

She came out of the vinegar bath looking pretty nice for how rusted she was. You can really see the temper in the bit.



A little cleaning and she's starting to shine.

 

[Boarhead]

Looking pretty good Joe.

 

[Jackalope]

Travis worked on the handle stripping the factory varnish with 80 and 400 grit by hand then working up to 1000 and 2000 on a drill attachment.

We cheated when hefting the head, putting aside the traditional rasp and flipping the old belt sander in it's back. Slipping the head on, marking the contact point, pulling it off and sanding some more.

 

[MK111]

Nice job there and the old gal is ready for heavy work.

 

[Bigslam51]

Nice Axe!

 

[Jackalope]

The handle feels like glass it's so smooth. We took it out for a test run before finishing the handle. Just to make sure the handle didn't crack or the head wouldn't loosen or crack. The next step is as much linseed oil as it'll absorb.

Sharpened it with a file and a fine hone. For as rusty as it was it still had a nice edge to start off. We then gave it the old two pieces of construction paper test and it sliced through like nothing.

[video=youtube;CjzAo06CAPY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjzAo06CAPY&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[CJD3]

Very cool!
I have enjoyed the thread Joe.

 

[Jackalope]

Here it is going to town on a standing dead ash. The tree had been killed by the ash borer beetle a year or two back and was hard as a rock. You can hear how hard it is by the sound of the strikes. The axe performed awesomely clearing chips and didn't wedge once. I can see how it would've performed great on firs and pines that north Michigan is known for. Sorry for the two videos but my phone ran out of space and I had to delete some.

[video=youtube;tJYWy2qUC2I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJYWy2qUC2I&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Jackalope]

[video=youtube;Iku_BVaw3gI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iku_BVaw3gI&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Jackalope]

Thanks guys. Hard to believe that a man once swung ann axe like this for 35 cents an hour for 10 hours a day. The equivalent of 5.53 an hour by today's value. It's work that'll make a man out of you for sure.

I still need to linseed the heck out of the handle, clean up the head and paint the cheeks blue.

 

[Bigslam51]

She's throwing some nice chips already! Can't wait too see the finished product!

 

[Boarhead]

Nice job!

 

[Big_Holla]

Ash once it's dead and dried is a tough wood, especially to chop like that! Cool thread!

 

[Hortontoter]

This was a great post to follow. Bring old things back to life can be very rewarding.

 

[Mike]

That's awesome!

 

[JOHNROHIO]

Very cool joe!