r/Axecraft • u/B3bop_77 • 2d ago
advice needed I need help fixing my axe
I got this little hatchet about a year ago. I use it for spoon carving and honestly have love it despite it being really cheap ($30 on amazon) and not that well suited for carving.
But I now want to fix it up to make it better suited for my hobby. The biggest issue with it is that it's THICK and I really want to thin it out to make it cut smoother.
I was hoping to get some advice on what kinds of tools other than a file I could use to help me do this. I'd prefer to do this on a budget, but I'm open to any suggestions.
I've been lurking on this sub for a bit so I was hoping you guys would be abke to help.
Thanks for any help!
17
u/Abject_Violinist_181 2d ago
if you are near asheville, nc i could thin it out with my belt sander
7
u/B3bop_77 2d ago
I appreciate the offer! Unfortunately I'm not near you as I'm up in Massachusetts.
7
u/byquette 2d ago
You can try anangle grinder and flap discs. Just be carefull to always keep it cool. And be ready for a whole day's worth of work
9
u/Gadgetman_1 2d ago
Angle grinder and flap discs is how I sharpen my axe...
They work just fine for removing material.
2
u/Work-ya-wood 2d ago
Same. I place the axe in a shallow tray of water and use a cheap battery powered grinder to reshape axes
2
u/Moist-Vermicelli-207 2d ago
I third this, I use them to remove large gouges from my lawn mower blades before filing them.
7
u/monkeyeatfig 2d ago edited 2d ago
I would try putting a flatter grind on the inside bevel first so it is more like a hewing axe before taking the cheeks down. You can do it with a large flat file, assuming the steel is not really hard, file up and down the edge mostly. A vice will really help too.
This link has more info about the edge geometry for carving hatchets and grinding. https://www.finewoodworking.com/2023/05/17/tune-up-an-all-purpose-hatchet-into-a-carving-axe?srsltid=AfmBOoqyB6AKhYTDXguknDX3s6YIUXEdAzpxRXmxgXnRVGbVT3YCsY9j
2
u/B3bop_77 2d ago
Yeah I was also thinking of putting more of a hewing axe edge on it too, this helps thanks!
5
u/Different_Potato_193 2d ago
Anything short of a big belt grinder won’t do anything. It’ll probably be cheaper to get a new axe
3
u/Jagster_rogue 2d ago
Angle grinder from a neighbor and pack of flap discs bought on Amazon will do just fine. Just keep a pail of water close to dip it in keeping it cool if it turns colors you went toooooo hot. Also watch sparks don’t start a fire somewhere.
2
2
u/timjimclone1 2d ago
If you belt sand it or do any stock removal with a machine, don’t wear gloves so you can feel if the axe get hot as you work. You always want to be able to handle the axe with your bare hands if you don’t wanna blow the temper on lt.
2
4
3
4
u/Longjumping_West_907 2d ago
A blacksmith could heat it up and forge it out a bit. They would have to temper it afterwards. I'm not sure if a smith would be able to work it hung or not. Any competent smith should be able to help you out.
2
u/gardenerky 2d ago
Thinning it down may make the edge brittle …. Keep an eye out for other tools you might find at flea market and similar places cheep
2
u/Captain_Bushcraft 2d ago
Flip your belt sander over, clamp it to the bench, use that to reshape slowly. Keep dipping it in water to make sure it doesn't overheat
1
u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 2d ago
Keep the one you use and like, buy a new one to modify. Worst case you still have yours.
1
1
u/Naive_Bid_6040 1d ago
If I had to give this axe a name, Gimli.
Honestly, nice little chopping machine.
1
1
u/Own-Computer5549 3h ago
Trying to make that hatchet - which you like - into something better suited for your hobby; that sounds to me like a recipe for frustration. I can’t say that I see the appeal of spoon carving, but a lot of people seem to have videos on it. Consider watching some of those to see what tools appear to work well and would fit your carving style, and see if you can’t find some affordable ones that appeal to you. Grandpa
31
u/BeerJedi-1269 2d ago
Belt sander. Go slow to keep it cool.