Soaking Axe

[Tank]

Hi Guys,

I have a axe with a bit of a lose head, I think my old boss on the sawmill used to soak his axe in water, is it worth soaking in water to make it the handle swell up? if so how long should i leave it in for?

Cheers.
T.

 

[JonathanD]

I wouldn't, it will dry out again and be dangerous. Not to mention rusting your axe. Best thing to do is bang in a new wedge.

 

[Everything Mac]

soaking in water is a temporary measure to fix an axe head. - but as said this will dry out and make things worse.

soaking in linseed oil is slightly better but again it is a temporary measure.

bang in a new wedge or replace the handle.

Andy

 

[Pepperana]

Replace the handle. Its not that difficult. Search on the forums and you will find various threads. If you handled you own axe its quit a nice thing to do.

 

[Tank]

Cheers guys, the handle is good, the wedge is bad. pulled it out and will re-wedge it at the weekend.

 

[Hugo]

I have re handled a few axes in the last couple of weeks using oak with oak wedges.
Now I have read somewhere to use a fruit wood wedge.
Anyone know why fruit wood or a softer wood.

 

[JonathanD]

I have re handled a few axes in the last couple of weeks using oak with oak wedges.
Now I have read somewhere to use a fruit wood wedge.
Anyone know why fruit wood or a softer wood.

I think it's because it holds in there better due to it being soft against the harder shaft wood, the harder wood bites into it and holds it firm. A hard wood wedge can work loose easier.

 

[Dave Budd]

I use any old hardwood that i happen to ave lying about for teh wedge. I don't worry about it coming loose, that's what superglue is for

 

[JonathanD]

I use any old hardwood that i happen to ave lying about for teh wedge. I don't worry about it coming loose, that's what superglue is for

That'd do it

 

[Biker]

Having put a few axe heads on of late I find using whatever wood is handy just as good as any just as Dave Budd said. I use PVA glue and that'll keep in in just as good, if not better than superglue.

I bought a couple of hickory shafts but I have none left now but I can't fault them and they look great after a few coats of linseed oil. I did make an axe handle out of beech thinking that would be great, it wasn't, it snapped after a few months. Replaced it with hickory. Haven't tried Oak yet. let us know how it works out Hugo I'd be interested to know how well they last.

Glad you're having a happy ending with the axe handle Tank, nothing worse than having a loose head ... umm maybe having a screw loose perhaps.

 

[Hugo]

Biker the oak that I got from a skip has been in my garage for Five years, it was a bugger to carve, I used a hammer and chisel to get the basic shape, then a Mora knife and Mora carver that I got from Lurch.
Then loads of sanding. As it's so hard I'm sure it will last many years.