[AT] Farmer Robinson?

[charlie hill]

Good ideas Steve.  I thought about the epoxy but didn't think about the 
fiberglass.
With mine there was enough taper left in the handle that I could sand/grind 
it down
and reshape it so that it fit properly but with the head further down the 
handle.
I've got room to do that once more if it fails this time.  If I have to do 
that I'll consider
one of those options.  I guess at some point it's more cost effective to 
just buy an new
one or at least a new handle.   This one is old but it's only been used for 
maybe 5 years
in it's 35 year life.  Mostly it's just hung on a couple of nails on a wall. 
Before I sanded
it down the wood that had been in contact with the steel was burnished slick 
and hard and
that was contributing to it not holding well.

Charlie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Steve W.
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 7:43 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Farmer Robinson?

charlie hill wrote:
> Thanks Mattias,  the word you were reaching for was "wedge" as in
> wooden wedge. yes, I know that method.  My problem is that this
> handle is very old.  I'm certain it's been in that maul since it was
> new and it's 35 years or more old. Over time with the handle
> occasionally getting loose the handle end has become misshaped so
> that it doesn't fit the head properly.   I tried putting it back on
> last week by coating the wood with hot glue to fill in the out of
> shape places and hope it would hold but it didn't.   Today I used a
> grinder with a sandpaper disc to re-shape the end of the handle and I
> got it in pretty good shape.  Then I put the head back on and drove
> the metal wedges that were already in it down tight.   Next I soaked
> it in hot water for a while. Hopefully that will hold it.  If not
> I'll locate some wooden wedges and try it as you mentioned.
>
> Farmer had some technique that I think involved heating the ax head
> red hot so the the handle basically burned it's self into a tight fit
> when it was re-attached (still hot)  but I just can't remember now
> how he said to do it.
>
> Charlie


I deal with loose handles using a simple method. Dry them completely.
Now clean out the
original wedge area. Next cut one slot across the handle. Now mix up a
batch of epoxy and dip the end in the epoxy.
Seat the handle. Drive in the wedges. now pour some epoxy into the
pocket. Let it cure and it should hold for a long time.
If the handle is very loose soak a strip of fiberglass cloth in epoxy
and wrap the handle before you insert it.

-- 
Steve W.
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