Hand Making Axe Handles

Wonkydonkey said:

Have you thought about using some water proof wood glue, get a zip tie to poke it all the way in there and then bind it tight with some string. Or is that cheating

I had to do it to one of my old little axe handles.. it seemed to work very well. I know I need a new handle but it will do till it lets go again.

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ajschainsaws said:

Yes it does true I can’t get the best out of a spokeshave if Iam gonna fug it
That’s the tool that’ll do it

I do as much as I can with a chainsaw then blacksmiths rasp

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XP_Slinger said:

It cracked while hanging the head. I need a better tool for that process. Or, I need to leave the handle end unfinished for hanging then shape it once it’s hung.

Small chunk came off because of the grain runout where I contoured the curve in the handle.

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ajschainsaws said:

Ah I got it wrong , yes that is a shame splitting at the last moment or two
I've often wondered about making up a jig with a curve at the end , and cut a piece of ash nearly the right shape then Steaming it and force it into the jig and get the fawns foot in the curved end of the jig and let it bend
With some more hot steam or boiling water on it

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Wonkydonkey said:

I thought I’d post a pic of the handle that I had to glue, long story short...

Brought from a car boot sale £3.50 had to clean it up and oil it.

Upon refitting the head a few times I realised the head is not the best and is not inline with handle hole, it fitted better the wrong way up. After not really staying put I tried to refit ant the handle split just in side the yellow line.
I glued it, waterproof wood glue then bound it up till dry. Then sanded it and re oiled and just fitted the head.

The next time will be a new handle..
Btw. Other pic is just so you can see the whole axe.
View attachment 202160 View attachment 202165

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XP_Slinger said:

Yup, literally broke on the last smack to make sure the head was seated tight.

That’s a good idea. My only inexperienced thought would be that I think the wood will try to return to its original shape over time...wouldn’t it? When I think about applications where wood is steamed into shape it’s almost always fastened into position afterward...drums, boats, musical instruments etc. I wonder if it would hold shape without being fastened into position. Out of my depth of experience for sure

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Wonkydonkey said:

Just a Heads up here.
@ 13:25 this fella says about takin the edge off the base of the handle otherwise...

Or here’s a screenshot
View attachment 202922

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ajschainsaws said:

View attachment 210044
i like this 30" handle on the right alot

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XP_Slinger said:

Very nice. How do you hang the ax without hurting the fawns foot though?

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XP_Slinger said:

Very nice. How do you hang the ax without hurting the fawns foot though?

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