Wedges #1

In this video the East Coast Lumberjack provides some practical advice on wedges - removing them, and also tightening a loose axe head. Should you use a metal nail, screw or other object to tighten it? What about placing the axe in a bucket of water? Join Rod as he explains what is actually happening with a loose axe head, how to best solve the problem, and techniques and advice on how to best remove the metal and other objects from an axe handle when you are re-hafting an axe.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

This video is great for showing why we should never use steel wedges and never glue in wedges. Only time I have ever used steel wedges is out in the woods as a temporary fix to get the job done. If you do need to do this, drive it into the side of the wood wedge, and leave it proud of the end so, when you get home, it is easy to pull the steel out, prior to fitting a new wood wedge

[@eastcoastlumberjack]

AMEN!!

[@Hunter30394]

This stuff is gold!

[@mathieu5642]

Hi Rod like your videos never missed one! Yo7 have good knowledge of the axe world big fan! Question for you.. what do you think of hard maple for an axe handle is it viable? Thank you!

[@BombproofCraftsman]

There’s a chart online for axe handle wood types, I think it was done by the us forest service. But it lists all different species & their strengths for axe use.

[@DrewDubious]

drive a screw into the wedge and use a claw hammer to pull it. won't always work but when it does you save a good 20 minutes.

[@eastcoastlumberjack]

That's what were after Drew....good advice - and that sounds like a keeper. Also why I don't recommend gluing in your wedge either....that would really mess up this idea.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

I use a 'spreader bar' with a two or three holes in for wood screws, and this mounts onto an automotive slide hammer - that works really well for pulling wood wedges. I have another attachment that takes an 'easyout' stud remover which I use for barrel wedges. Simply drill out the wood in the centre of the barrel, screw in the 'easyout' , attach to the slide hammer. A couple of taps and your barrel wedge is out. If you want to reuse the handle, cut a piece of wood dowel, trim it for a tight fit and glue it in the hole with epoxy. When that is dry, you can cut the new wedge slot straight through it.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Never, ever put your axe head in a furnace to burn out the old handle. At the temperature needed to burn wood, all the hardening and temper will be totally lost and you will have an axe that will not hold an edge for 5 minutes. If the epoxy is a problem, just keep drilling holes right through till it looks like a Swiss cheese and drive and/or pick out the bits. Way easier than going to a blacksmith's shop to get it re-hardened and tempered

[@eastcoastlumberjack]

Totally agree. I'm not expert by any means on steel, rockwell, hardness and temper - so heed the wise words from old Grizz ! Solid advice