Axe restoration thread
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Needed a container to fit a DB axe head but not require gallons of vinegar. Cleaned out this oil jug and it only took a couple quarts to get over the axe head.
Needed a container to fit a DB axe head but not require gallons of vinegar. Cleaned out this oil jug and it only took a couple quarts to get over the axe head.
Some interesting metallurgy on this head.
Instead of the rusty head turning the vinegar bath into a red, frothy mess like every other head I’ve soaked, the vinegar has barely turned color and the rust scale is coming off very slowly but surely. Only the hardened edges still hold scale after two days and three scrubs.
Instead of the rusty head turning the vinegar bath into a red, frothy mess like every other head I’ve soaked, the vinegar has barely turned color and the rust scale is coming off very slowly but surely. Only the hardened edges still hold scale after two days and three scrubs.
Just about done, I’ll give it one more day then oil the head and dry the handle again before finishing.
That handle has picked up some pretty good black stains from the rust busting process. Per my brother in law who builds log homes: Use a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach to remove dark stains from wood prior to staining/varnishing. Once it has been bleached, I am going to use Watco to get it a bit darker than my standard BLO refinishes.
Those black stains could look quite nice, particularly if it highlights the grain.
Are you going to put it by the water heater for a couple of weeks again?
I'm intrigued by buckin's favourite, Wad Ka! I've looked on the website and see there are lots of products, the usual oils like tung, teak, blo, and such like. I'm not sure exactly which product buckin uses. I'm guessing it's one that's a 'hard wax oil'. A blend of wax and oils. I've saicos hard wax oil on my parquet and that seems good.
Are you going to put it by the water heater for a couple of weeks again?
I'm intrigued by buckin's favourite, Wad Ka! I've looked on the website and see there are lots of products, the usual oils like tung, teak, blo, and such like. I'm not sure exactly which product buckin uses. I'm guessing it's one that's a 'hard wax oil'. A blend of wax and oils. I've saicos hard wax oil on my parquet and that seems good.
It’s only stained black about 3” up from the head. The rest is bone white. I’ll take it back to white then do the whole thing in “wadca”. Love when he calls it that.
Actually the stains are not too dark. Maybe I’ll be able to sand and refinish.
I just browsed across this youtube content which I enjoyed, and thought a few of you guys might too, particularly @Multifaceted
Scrubbed the handle of the DBA with bleach solution tonight. Will get pics shortly.
The press here reckons it's national lockdown #2 for the UK next week. Maybe I'll have time to hang a few more axe heads!!
Here’s the handle after bleaching. The bleach process knocked out all but a tiny bit of the rust stain and it’s only visible on this side.
The “Wadca” (Watco) should easily cover that stain.
The “Wadca” (Watco) should easily cover that stain.
After one coat of “Wadca”. The area stained by vinegar really took in the stain. I’ll sand the whole thing lightly and coat again.
Wow didnt it just!
Good thing it is a working piece and not a shelf queen!
Funny how the press gets to do that? You would think it would be the Surgeon General. Just messin with you Neil. The press over here think they are the Second Coming.
It's how our present political leaders have been working. They leak the plan to the press on Friday, monitor the reaction over the weekend and then implement or not on Monday. Sure enough, we went into lockdown again.
Well, hang them axes, and a couple press nuts too.
I see an axe listed locally with “Bell Systems” stamped in it. Would this be from Bell telephone for linemen?
Edit: Did some more looking and yes this is the case.
Edit: Did some more looking and yes this is the case.
I sorted through 55 or so gallons of extra “striking tools” today and re-discovered these adze heads. If anyone here wants one, I’ll give you the head but you’ll have to cover shipping. Otherwise, I’ll sell ‘em locally or on ebay.
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