Restoring an old axe, work in progress

[Legion]

Yesterday I found an old rusty axe sitting in the yard of the local second hand store, out in the weather. It wasn't too expensive and I liked the look of it, so I took it home to make a little project of it.

The first step was to hit it with some sand paper to try to see if there were any markings. First I found that it was a 4 1/2 pounder, and then the makers mark was revealed. It's an English Brades axe, the Cockatoo 1571 model. The Cockatoo line were made for export to Australia I believe, and the shape of this head is known as Tasmanian.

This is a 1934 catalogue with this model listed in it.

https://ia800105.us.archive.org/9/items/WilliamHuntAndSonsExportCatalogue1934/William%20Hunt%20and%20Sons%20Export%20Catalogue%201934.pdf

 

[Legion]

Unfortunately the handle was looking shot, so I gave up on saving that. I drilled out the old wedge and knocked it out. I might be able to make something else out of it one day. Never throw anything out if you have a shed.

 

[Legion]

Sanding the head yesterday was a messy PITA. So right now I am making my life easier by giving it a vinegar soak.

And that is where we are up to so far…

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Never throw anything out if you have a shed.

A man after my own heart.

 

[Legion]

Ok. We have some SCIENCE going on!

 

[CANES]

Pretty cool. I found this today at a rummage sale for 25 cents so had to bring it home. It's also soaking in vinegar as we speak. I'll keep watching your thread for some more ideas.

 

[Tanuki]

Interesting axe head. I couldn't spot the handle's issues in the photos. Finding a good replacement handle to hang is always an issue for me.

 

[Legion]

Interesting axe head. I couldn't spot the handle's issues in the photos. Finding a good replacement handle to hang is always an issue for me.

I found some spotted gum handles for sale at my local hardware store. I'll take the head down with me to make sure they will fit, but I'll probably go with one of those.

The part of the old handle that fits in the eye had broken, so the head was loose, and there was no way to fix it. Also, it was generally old and starting to crack. Just wasn't safe.

 

[Legion]

Science (and a bit of elbow grease) has done its work.

 

[Legion]

Next up, someone has clearly been using this for a sledge or a wedge, and it has left some ugly mushrooming.

A quick trip to the grinder, just to knock off the sharp bits that might hang up on wood.

 

[Tanuki]

You have that head looking good! So that break was not just a result of separating head and handle.

I'm hoping for a photo after you hang a spotted gum handle. The USA is the land of hickory, and pretty much no other wood, for ax and hatchet handles.

 

[Legion]

I'm hoping for a photo after you hang a spotted gum handle. The USA is the land of hickory, and pretty much no other wood, for ax and hatchet handles.

I’m not sure we have hickory trees here. Imported axes often have hickory handles, but the Aussie made new handles are spotted gum, or mystery hardwood for the cheaper stuff imported from Asia.

 

[Bhugo]

Good job! I love restoring old tools.

 

[Legion]

Good job! I love restoring old tools.

Yes, I’d rather spend twice as much, and spend four times as long making some old thing work again.

 

[Legion]

Handle hanging day.

Basically, using rasps, make it fit.

This was actually a bit harder, and took longer than I was expecting. But it's on.

 

[Legion]

Then make a wedge of hardwood, slather it with glue, and smack it in with a mallet.

I hope all this stays together, because I don't want to do it again for a while.

There's not much more you can do until the glue dries, so that is it for the day.

 

[Legion]

Todays job, sand the handle to 400 grit, and apply a couple of coats of boiled linseed oil.

 

[Legion]

Sharpening day.

There were a few little nicks in the edge, so the first step was to clamp it to the bench and take those out with a file.

Once that was cleaned up I started honing, first with a silicon carbide stone, and then with a fine aluminium oxide stone.

I could have stopped there, but in for a penny, so I finished it with my go to axe hone, a chunk of antique Turkey stone. A final de burring on end grain wood, and it is shaving arm hair.

 

[Legion]

The place where I found the other one had this Plumb in the yard today. What do you all think? Is it worth starting another one? It would cost the equivalent of about $20US, plus a new handle.

 

[Legion]

I also have this hatchet head in my shed which I will do. I don’t know the brand, but it looks hand forged. I’ll make this my camping hatchet.