I like the part about playing a couple long wranglerstar videos while doing work. That is what I am doing right now. Building 4 ram pumps and watching how to "restore" or "destroy" an ax. :)
The way I learned to file perfect radiuses and avoiding facets, is to rock the file down at the handle side while being in the push stroke. never try to follow the radius by lifting the handle side. It is a bit counterintuitive at first, but it really is the pro way of doing it. You should try it. I have an old marbles number 9, which was in very good condition when I bought it at a flea market here in the Netherlands for aprox. 5 dollars(!). Allways found it a very special axe. Now I know a lot more about it thanks to this series. thanks.
I sharpen a lot of knives, and sometimes saliva is preferable to any other liquid media to assist in the removal of the metal shavings to avoid plugging your stones. I think the "gentle souls" who found offense at you using saliva haven't really ever had to do much with their own hands. I think that action was indicative of a man who is used to doing things with his hands and finds value in "field expediency". Your videos are very enjoyable. I learn something every time I watch. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to watch your videos. Thank you, Cody.
I never doubted your ability to restore this axe head properly, but I am thoroughly impressed! It makes my heart happy seeing this old piece of beauty be completely renewed to better than new. Thank you for restoring my favorite axe that I'll probably never get the privilege of owning.
The patina argument any old tool would come down to where you’ve received the axe from. If the customer wants a tool bringing back to new standard I don’t see any problem either. When it comes into play for my 2cents when you’ve maybe been given a tool from a family member. I’ve trying to restore my late step fathers old axe with the help of your videos, along with a few other guys videos on TH-cam. The marks and dents that came from the hands of a loved one, are part of the joy and memory of owning inherited or gifted tools I feel. Apart from spending 4 days repairing the axe blade, which had been reground for perhaps 60 years on a course bench grind lol. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I’ll be forever indebted to you for all the skills I’ve been learning from you. Thanks, Chris.
I am 14 and from California and ur videos have taught me so much, I my self have started restoring a plumb 1945 hatchet head and I just wanted to thank you for showing me this wonderful hobby.
I really appreciate how you use all of your tools, "no safe queens". You can never get the same joy from looking as you can using... as your love for using these nice files shows. Another great vid
nice job on that axe head! In our shop at work (overhauling aircraft components), we made aluminum jaws on our vises from solid stock, took off the original jaws, and copied size and attachment holes. works extremely well!
Wow what a beautiful restoration so far, I couldn't have imagined it any better especially with that talented file work. Polished axe heads always look fantastic.
I recommend spraying spray paint through the handle hole to mark the shape of the three channels onto the top of your handle wood. I agree that a tool that sits under glass in a museum is no longer a tool at that point and as long as you are intending to use this or gift it to Jack and it'll get use and joy, then the effort of the maker and your effort combines to the lasting quality that no glance at an item in a museum will ever give.
I don't have any experience with tools at all, but your videos and the way you care about your tools, your environment and your family is simply intriguing!
Hands down Best restoration tutorial, thank you. Work as an artist as opposed to other videos on here I’ve seen they’ve just ground it down flat and square. Hope you make more videos like this in the future!
I never get tired of watching these restoration videos. Watching you give new life to old tools is the next best thing when I can't be doing it myself. Great video, sir.
Great Job on the ax. I love bringing old tools back to life. I find your videos very informative and relaxing to watch. If you ever make a trip to Hawaii for vacation let me know . I would love to grill you and your family a steak and spend a day on the beach.
In many cases, such as guitars or other old instruments, "restoring" it by painting it again or replacing parts will devalue it immensely. In the situation of an ax or other tool, its value is in its ability to be used well. I collect old guitars and would never dream of doing work like this to one, it would effectively make it worthless, but with this, I absolutely agree with you.
It's like watching The Cutlery Corner, or a fishing show. It's not super exciting but it's so interesting that I cant stop watching. Thank you for every video you make. It's nice to see some so attuned to detail and the passion you have for what you do shows in every video
Turned out great, Cody. I couldn't agree more with your comments regarding tool restoration. They were crafted to do work and it's a shame to retire a tool that still has work left in it.
generally speaking, Cody, reflection is a description of what happens to light as it bounces OFF of something (this would be the correct term for what you were watching for when you had that strong light over your right shoulder.) Refraction is a description is of what happens to light as it passes THROUGH a medium. Cheers!
I just restored my first axe yesterday. First project use for my leg vice. The axe head is a great medium sized felling axe with nice shoulders. While I worked on it I had a chance to really go over it and it's forged. I bought it as part of a lot that fit in a 5 gallon bucket for $20. I'm not certain it had ever been on a handle before. It has tons of age and patina but the edge is sharp. The guy in the hardware store noticed as I went through every handle he had checking the grain. I bought new sand paper, rasp and bastard so I would have nice clean tools. For the bastard I had an old metal screw on handle that came in that bucket I mentioned before. The vice was purchased recently too for $200. My first big shop purchase since buying my first house. It's a smaller 5 inch leg vice that came fully attached to a 150 pound custom manicured stump. It was great to have while I shaped the wood of the handle and for sharpening another axe and hatchet. Rain and heat are keeping me from digging in to my wood splitting to test it out.
Agree I have two old hand me down vices that were my grandpa's. I have a double bit ax and a plumber ax that were his also that I picked up new handles for today. Going to rehandle them with the help of your videos,love your channel,thank for all the videos.
man that looks good, not really sure what it is about videos like this but they're pretty enjoyable to watch even as a person that isn't particularly handy.
Greetings from Atlantic Canada! I restored a bargain-basement hatchet using the skills I learned from your channel. Lucked out with a hickory handle from Amazon (i.e., excellent grain orineation with only a little heartwood). Thank you for instilling confidence without demanding perfection. :-)
Cody. I was trained old school many many years ago never to rub the file with your hand or thumb. if your a tad sweaty you can leave ultra small sweat deposits which will dull your file due to micro corrosion. The second old timers trick is to buy some boilermakers chalk and before each job run the chalk over the file face. It will stop the file loading up with swarf as fast and also makes it easier to card. last but not least an oily piece of newspaper to wrap your file in after each use. Rag is OK but the old timers were insistent that I had to use newspaper. I just found your videos so maybe you have touched on all this before. it's great see people working with their hands. it's a passion of mine as well.
Great vid, really enjoyed seeing how that old metal was able to be buffed up. I have to admit I was skeptical that those file marks and stone marks would come out, but after you used the polish, wow! On the vise issue, I'd advise folks to look at flea markets, etc. I picked up mine at a tool flea market that a local steam club puts on each August. I think I paid $35 for it, but it looks like WWII era, all painted in Navy gray. Solid as a tank. I make a list all year long to take up there and enjoy the ambiance and buy some tools. I've gotten logging chains, long ones, wrenches, screw drivers, weird sockets, it's amazing the things they have. Sometimes you have to dig through boxes of stuff to find the good ones, but that's part of the charm of it. :) Twin Bridges Steam Show, near Chambersburg, PA if anyone's in the area. Aug. 12-14 this year. www.cvantiqueengine.org/tractorshow.htm
I did one like that. It found it on top of the foundation wall in my grandfathers ice house. It was a full size axe but it was in very poor shape. I cut a 1/4 inch off all around it witch made it like a camp axe. I ground it down and sanded it and than polished it to a mirror finish. I got a new handle, sanded off the finish and used Boiled linseed oil on it. I gave it to my dad for Christmas. It was a fun project inspired by you. Thanks for your videos I've learned a lot from them.
When I first started watching your videos you talked about how it was important to know how to be able to use and take care of your tools in case times are tough. I would say that those who are concerned about restoring tools are not worried about ever needing those skills.
An old time engineer showed me how to file over 40 years ago, the technique is to push down on the back of the file as you push forward. He described this as a "dive bomber action" it takes a little practice, but when filing, especially curves or rounding corners it really makes a big difference.
Fantastic Stuff Wranglestar, 30 years in Engineering and still learning!!! oh yes the Spitting, Guess some folk have never been on a big job!!!!!, and they would be horrified to know that some of us have been known to pee on our wounds!!!
Wow! looking at the condition when you got it, I would have never expected it to look that beautiful once you finished it. great work Cody, keep it up.
Great job Cody...Look'n awesome.....For the handle, the originals look as though they used a router, router plane or possibly just some chisels to cut the relief lines and shape out the rounds after that to fit....Being a wood worker I think I would chisel the four lines needed and then slowly chisel or sand the rounds...JMTCs...Have a good Sabbath tomorrow......Almost forgot..For Mrs. Wranglerstars surprise...try making her favorite dish or dessert...My wife almost always makes me a lemon meringue pie for my birthday and I could never ask for more...It takes time and thought and everyone gets to enjoy it....She loves my BBQ anything so she gets that all year long..lol..
I am...sitting down... chilling out...enjoying the process... with a long Wranglerstar video... redoing my hatchet. Bringing it back. My old Estwing hatchet from the Boy Scouts. Enjoying both...
I just inherited one of these beauties; though it may me a No. 9. In either case, it has the original handle and I can't wait to show it some special attention. Thankful for this helpful upload, my friend.
I just watch your videos to see how you do whatever it is your video is about, I like the commentary and seeing a skill I wouldn't have exposure to. That being said I am a very avid amateur mechanic, and I always had made in the USA pliers, either Craftsman (they are ok), or Channellock (they feel much more solid), but I finally committed and bought a pair of needle nose Knipex... wow. I thought Channellocks were great bang for your buck, but Knipex pliers are incredible. The Channellocks feel like you could abuse them for a lifetime and are well assembled, but the Knipex? They feel like you could abuse them for a lifetime and pass them on to your children, *and* they would still have the same surgical precision and fitment from the day they were made. Oh, and same goes for multimeters. Even though I usually just use it for very crude measurements I've owned many multimeters, they're all complete garbage compared to Fluke. A $120 Fluke multimeter is going to be so much better than anything you can buy for that price or less, and the most important thing is it's *reliable*. I can take readings and get different results every time with a 20, 40, or 80 dollar meter, but the Fluke will tell you the right reading the first time, every time, and in 1/10 the time as the other meters. I don't even know how other companies even bother trying to make meters.
Hi Cody, refraction occurs when light passes through a body of something and the angle that the ray of light enters the material is different to the angle it leaves (for example glass changes the angle of the light leaving, glycerin does not.) Reflection is the ray of light "bouncing off" a material - however i think everyone knew what you meant when you said refracted from the flat spots in the top of the metal. Thanks for the video!
I've got a great old Wilton that I love, but I also recently lucked into a brand new Yost, and I have to say it is an outstanding vice. It hasn't had the test of time yet, but it is so solid I can't imagine it failing. The thing must weigh around 75 pounds or more.
I for one am glad of the 'improvements to the marble axe you have made. It gives me a much better idea of what a brand new one looked like and/or what one looks like that has been properly taken care of. After all, it didn't belong to Lewis and Clark so the patina isn't exactly part of the provenance, plus being tool steel it will soon gather another level of patina and who is to say a hundred years from now which owner did what to it. Seems to me all you have done is assured a much longer life of a nice non mint condition tool.
I just picked up a nice Henry Disston saw yesterday at an antique mall. Can't wait to get it refurbished and sharpened. I will send you a picture when I finish.
Small tip I learned and want to pass along is if your file is loaded up with aluminum or something that the file card cant remove you can use a piece of brass to dig out the crud without damaging the file. Hope this helps someone. =)
Cody, there are basically, 2 different kinds of telescopes. Reflectors and refractors. Refractors have lenses, and the light goes through the lens. Reflectors have a mirror, and the light bounces (or reflects) off the mirror I can state without a doubt, that light is NOT refracting off that axe head. steve
After hearing you talk about the patina on the axe, the way I restore all my axes is with vinegar. I first do just like you do with the file and stones to get out all the imperfections, and then just set them in vinegar for 24hrs, it leaves a beautiful gray patina, and on a good quality axe with a tempered edge, it will leave a black color on just the edge thats tempered. That color change is one way I can tell I have a high quality axe.
That pole came out great! I have 3 axe heads (with mushroomed poles) that I've been holding on to for a couple of years, but I wasn't sure how to approach the fix. I'm going to give this method a shot!
I bought two axes, today. I bought an husqvarna Carpenters axe and a Grandsfors Scadanavian Forest Axe. It will probably be two weeks before I get them but my extra Christmas money was well spent, I think. I really miss the 6 inch field vise I had in my former shop. It belonged to my daddy and was really well used. I had to weld up the jaws and grind them down before I could use it and I had half inch bolts holding it to my work bench. A hell of a vise. I used it a manny of a time to pull barrels from rifles and straighten out lawn mower blades and the like
Hi Cody , great video and great channel... I wish I could also do what you do... Do what you like , be with family and in the nature. I'm Italian and moved in Seattle for work of course 2 months ago planning to retire here... Could you please explain in a video maybe for us not Americans what is homesteading... How it works what exactly consist of , I would love to come and visit , and start my self my homesteading experience ! Thank you for your video and your genuine approach to life.
I was going to mention about the file card and direction of travel to make it clean the cuts the best way I have found is to push it down from the top down not drawing it from below as you did in the video here just practice and makes all the difference . A great way to give a file a second life is to blast it with garnet this cleans out the cuts real well and leaves you with a sharp file. 🛠🇦🇺
Hey Cody I was thinking about your handle and the unique shape it has and it dawned on me. Get yourself a small piece of steel and drill 3 overlapping holes to match up with the 3 holes. Cut it in half then affix it to some sort of handle and use it like a shaped card scraper. Very similar to the old ways they used to have moulding planes back in the day to make moulding.
I too was wondering about finishing the axe head. Personally I don't prefer a shiny axe head. I've used gun blue with success. It's a tool not a museum piece. Just wondering how well it will cut being so small. When finished you'll have to demonstrate it.. Nice project thanks for sharing it.
You're not supposed to run your fingers across the file to get the metal particles out. The oil from your fingers transfers into the file and sits along the top, eventually these will build and make the file less effective. Extremely picky but if you have the option just wipe the file on your pants or a rag then file card when necessary. Love the vid Cody!
Refracting is not the word you are looking for, reflecting is. Refraction is what happens when light travels through a medium and is altered in some way. Reflecting is light bouncing off of a surface. Just thought I would let you know. :)
When I saw you use the file brush I thought that seemed weird, but I figured you had a lot more experience than I do with filing. Glad you brought that up though, I might of started using it inefficiently lol.
That's a manifestation of patience and love if I've ever seen one. Was thinking though, if the metal was not forged & tempered properly it might mushroom & dull again quite quickly. Maybe you could have a few metal test pieces of known hardness levels, buy an induction forge & start tempering your own restored tools. That'd be pretty badass.
Wranglestar,i love your videos that are made whit so much dedication!.... I have a suggestion for your shop: - a 3 D printer( soft plastic, how's, you could even print the axe handle whit it, from...{ i saw on someone recicling P.E.T bottles and transform then on Amaizing home stuff}) If for your vise you need a even softer jow's, you may mold ones from silicone,whit a silicone gun....🤔
I think it looks beautiful. Also one thing I would recommend trying on the handle is try sooting it. Basically use a candle or wick lamp and use the smoke to put a black mark on the axe head and then press it to the wood so you can then start to carve out the shape and you can continue this until the handle is done. There are gun makers who still use this way of doing things today especially over in England. Might make your job 10 times easier in the end and you will be able to wipe it off and still keep it as beautiful as it is now.
Outstanding finish. I will admit to you that I would have stopped with the first stone. That texture was fantastic. It looked recently hand forged. I am very interested in the handle also. PS don't worry about your video lengths they are perfect Maybe a little short. lol
Great video! Yesterday, there were a few Marbles axes, including a couple of this model, for sale on eBay UK. Not cheap, though, just over £100 sterling.
Most pull saws have teeth all the way to the end of the blade. Cut a slot (length wise) into the end of the handle about an inch longer than the width of the head at the 'point" of the indents within the head. measure the width of the points using safety tape to mark the saw depth. I did a double peg in some boat joinery using the method. Actually used a small pocket knife to carve the peg itself. Small jeweler's files for the finish.
I'm certainly glad you had nice temps today. I'm in southern Maine and it was 95F with high humidity today, absolutely miserable. I am not a fan of hot weather! As far as Wilton vises, we have them where I work and the vise is o.k. but the handles are rubbish, they bend way to easily.
Just a thought for the handle, what about a tool like Paul Sellers poor mans marking guage/ beader. Or maybe for the radiuses, drilling and cutting a piece of sheet metal into a scraper. Great videos Cody, especially the axe ones. Thank You for the effort you put into all of them!
Whether or not you restore an item wholly depends on the value and usage you place on the item. From a monetary, antiquing perspective, removing the patina does reduce the approximate pricing of the item if it were to be sold to a curator or museum. On the other hand, if you have no intent in doing so and are interested in using the item or returning it closer to its original form, then restoring it may increase its value to you. It's good to be aware of both factors.
So. Got my hands on a mil file to do my tools. Tried to do my two picks and it just did nothing. Gave up and ended useing the grinder. I then went to sharpen my hatchet and the file worked like a dream. Couldnt beleve how much less damage the file did compared to the last 20yrs of touching it up on the grinder. I wish i had these videos back then. Thanks heap. P.S. i think the picks must have been much harder steel
> Tried to do my two picks and it just did nothing. Picks made of hardened steel (at least the point/edge) ? If what you're trying to file isn't softer than the file, nothing happens as the file just slides on the hardened surface instead of cutting into the material
I like the part about playing a couple long wranglerstar videos while doing work. That is what I am doing right now. Building 4 ram pumps and watching how to "restore" or "destroy" an ax. :)
tools are meant to be used. you take care of them in order to keep them in working order. everything has a job to do.
The way I learned to file perfect radiuses and avoiding facets, is to rock the file down at the handle side while being in the push stroke. never try to follow the radius by lifting the handle side. It is a bit counterintuitive at first, but it really is the pro way of doing it. You should try it. I have an old marbles number 9, which was in very good condition when I bought it at a flea market here in the Netherlands for aprox. 5 dollars(!). Allways found it a very special axe. Now I know a lot more about it thanks to this series. thanks.
I'm surprised at how few people know this filing technique.
I sharpen a lot of knives, and sometimes saliva is preferable to any other liquid media to assist in the removal of the metal shavings to avoid plugging your stones. I think the "gentle souls" who found offense at you using saliva haven't really ever had to do much with their own hands. I think that action was indicative of a man who is used to doing things with his hands and finds value in "field expediency". Your videos are very enjoyable. I learn something every time I watch. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to watch your videos. Thank you, Cody.
I never doubted your ability to restore this axe head properly, but I am thoroughly impressed! It makes my heart happy seeing this old piece of beauty be completely renewed to better than new. Thank you for restoring my favorite axe that I'll probably never get the privilege of owning.
The patina argument any old tool would come down to where you’ve received the axe from. If the customer wants a tool bringing back to new standard I don’t see any problem either. When it comes into play for my 2cents when you’ve maybe been given a tool from a family member. I’ve trying to restore my late step fathers old axe with the help of your videos, along with a few other guys videos on TH-cam. The marks and dents that came from the hands of a loved one, are part of the joy and memory of owning inherited or gifted tools I feel. Apart from spending 4 days repairing the axe blade, which had been reground for perhaps 60 years on a course bench grind lol. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I’ll be forever indebted to you for all the skills I’ve been learning from you. Thanks, Chris.
I am 14 and from California and ur videos have taught me so much, I my self have started restoring a plumb 1945 hatchet head and I just wanted to thank you for showing me this wonderful hobby.
I really appreciate how you use all of your tools, "no safe queens". You can never get the same joy from looking as you can using... as your love for using these nice files shows.
Another great vid
Fiirst time I've ever watched 17 minutes of filing, but I enjoyed it :)
care full its pretty addictive
So are machining and blacksmithing videos - I've found myself wondering where the day went after bingeing on them!
nice job on that axe head! In our shop at work (overhauling aircraft components), we made aluminum jaws on our vises from solid stock, took off the original jaws, and copied size and attachment holes. works extremely well!
It looks great Cody, nice to see a tool being brought back to life for actual use.
Wow what a beautiful restoration so far, I couldn't have imagined it any better especially with that talented file work. Polished axe heads always look fantastic.
I recommend spraying spray paint through the handle hole to mark the shape of the three channels onto the top of your handle wood.
I agree that a tool that sits under glass in a museum is no longer a tool at that point and as long as you are intending to use this or gift it to Jack and it'll get use and joy, then the effort of the maker and your effort combines to the lasting quality that no glance at an item in a museum will ever give.
I don't have any experience with tools at all, but your videos and the way you care about your tools, your environment and your family is simply intriguing!
Hands down Best restoration tutorial, thank you. Work as an artist as opposed to other videos on here I’ve seen they’ve just ground it down flat and square. Hope you make more videos like this in the future!
I never get tired of watching these restoration videos. Watching you give new life to old tools is the next best thing when I can't be doing it myself. Great video, sir.
Great Job on the ax. I love bringing old tools back to life. I find your videos very informative and relaxing to watch. If you ever make a trip to Hawaii for vacation let me know . I would love to grill you and your family a steak and spend a day on the beach.
In many cases, such as guitars or other old instruments, "restoring" it by painting it again or replacing parts will devalue it immensely. In the situation of an ax or other tool, its value is in its ability to be used well. I collect old guitars and would never dream of doing work like this to one, it would effectively make it worthless, but with this, I absolutely agree with you.
16:38 Looks beautiful! Good job.
It's like watching The Cutlery Corner, or a fishing show. It's not super exciting but it's so interesting that I cant stop watching. Thank you for every video you make. It's nice to see some so attuned to detail and the passion you have for what you do shows in every video
I'm Dutch and I'm proud you're wearing Dutch wooden shoes.
I was so laughing af when i saw them 😂
Make wooden shoes !! Klompennnnn !!!
Turned out great, Cody. I couldn't agree more with your comments regarding tool restoration. They were crafted to do work and it's a shame to retire a tool that still has work left in it.
Another classic video of you taking your time and clearly loving your craft and handiwork. I feel like you walked out of time :D
generally speaking, Cody, reflection is a description of what happens to light as it bounces OFF of something (this would be the correct term for what you were watching for when you had that strong light over your right shoulder.) Refraction is a description is of what happens to light as it passes THROUGH a medium. Cheers!
I just restored my first axe yesterday. First project use for my leg vice. The axe head is a great medium sized felling axe with nice shoulders. While I worked on it I had a chance to really go over it and it's forged. I bought it as part of a lot that fit in a 5 gallon bucket for $20. I'm not certain it had ever been on a handle before. It has tons of age and patina but the edge is sharp. The guy in the hardware store noticed as I went through every handle he had checking the grain. I bought new sand paper, rasp and bastard so I would have nice clean tools. For the bastard I had an old metal screw on handle that came in that bucket I mentioned before. The vice was purchased recently too for $200. My first big shop purchase since buying my first house. It's a smaller 5 inch leg vice that came fully attached to a 150 pound custom manicured stump. It was great to have while I shaped the wood of the handle and for sharpening another axe and hatchet. Rain and heat are keeping me from digging in to my wood splitting to test it out.
did anyone else forget and think they were watching Bob Ross?
Wranglerstar, the Bob Ross of tools :)
Agree I have two old hand me down vices that were my grandpa's. I have a double bit ax and a plumber ax that were his also that I picked up new handles for today. Going to rehandle them with the help of your videos,love your channel,thank for all the videos.
You need a chipmunk on your shoulder, or in your pocket, for the new Bob Ross method, Cody
Tools and use; If they aren't used, they aren't tools.
Preservation and care will keep good tools in service for generations.
man that looks good, not really sure what it is about videos like this but they're pretty enjoyable to watch even as a person that isn't particularly handy.
Greetings from Atlantic Canada!
I restored a bargain-basement hatchet using the skills I learned from your channel.
Lucked out with a hickory handle from Amazon (i.e., excellent grain orineation with only a little heartwood).
Thank you for instilling confidence without demanding perfection.
:-)
Cody. I was trained old school many many years ago never to rub the file with your hand or thumb. if your a tad sweaty you can leave ultra small sweat deposits which will dull your file due to micro corrosion. The second old timers trick is to buy some boilermakers chalk and before each job run the chalk over the file face. It will stop the file loading up with swarf as fast and also makes it easier to card. last but not least an oily piece of newspaper to wrap your file in after each use. Rag is OK but the old timers were insistent that I had to use newspaper. I just found your videos so maybe you have touched on all this before. it's great see people working with their hands. it's a passion of mine as well.
Great vid, really enjoyed seeing how that old metal was able to be buffed up. I have to admit I was skeptical that those file marks and stone marks would come out, but after you used the polish, wow!
On the vise issue, I'd advise folks to look at flea markets, etc. I picked up mine at a tool flea market that a local steam club puts on each August. I think I paid $35 for it, but it looks like WWII era, all painted in Navy gray. Solid as a tank.
I make a list all year long to take up there and enjoy the ambiance and buy some tools. I've gotten logging chains, long ones, wrenches, screw drivers, weird sockets, it's amazing the things they have. Sometimes you have to dig through boxes of stuff to find the good ones, but that's part of the charm of it. :)
Twin Bridges Steam Show, near Chambersburg, PA if anyone's in the area. Aug. 12-14 this year.
www.cvantiqueengine.org/tractorshow.htm
I did one like that. It found it on top of the foundation wall in my grandfathers ice house. It was a full size axe but it was in very poor shape. I cut a 1/4 inch off all around it witch made it like a camp axe. I ground it down and sanded it and than polished it to a mirror finish. I got a new handle, sanded off the finish and used Boiled linseed oil on it. I gave it to my dad for Christmas. It was a fun project inspired by you. Thanks for your videos I've learned a lot from them.
When I first started watching your videos you talked about how it was important to know how to be able to use and take care of your tools in case times are tough. I would say that those who are concerned about restoring tools are not worried about ever needing those skills.
An old time engineer showed me how to file over 40 years ago, the technique is to push down on the back of the file as you push forward. He described this as a "dive bomber action" it takes a little practice, but when filing, especially curves or rounding corners it really makes a big difference.
Fantastic Stuff Wranglestar, 30 years in Engineering and still learning!!! oh yes the Spitting, Guess some folk have never been on a big job!!!!!, and they would be horrified to know that some of us have been known to pee on our wounds!!!
Stunning work sir. It will be fantastic when finished.
Wow! looking at the condition when you got it, I would have never expected it to look that beautiful once you finished it. great work Cody, keep it up.
absolutely love this series!!! cant wait to see what you do with the handle!!!
sure do like your channel. little bit of everything and more. it really looking good Cody. keep up the great work
Can't wait to see how you go about making the Handle.
That polish turned out great! Can't wait to see what you do with the handle.
Great job Cody...Look'n awesome.....For the handle, the originals look as though they used a router, router plane or possibly just some chisels to cut the relief lines and shape out the rounds after that to fit....Being a wood worker I think I would chisel the four lines needed and then slowly chisel or sand the rounds...JMTCs...Have a good Sabbath tomorrow......Almost forgot..For Mrs. Wranglerstars surprise...try making her favorite dish or dessert...My wife almost always makes me a lemon meringue pie for my birthday and I could never ask for more...It takes time and thought and everyone gets to enjoy it....She loves my BBQ anything so she gets that all year long..lol..
I am...sitting down... chilling out...enjoying the process... with a long Wranglerstar video... redoing my hatchet. Bringing it back. My old Estwing hatchet from the Boy Scouts. Enjoying both...
I love it, I personally like the flat look on the back of a good axe but to each his own. Keep up the awesome work!
Wow amazed how that turned out beautiful work Cody,
I really enjoy your videos !!! Thank you for sharing them with us !!!
Pretty! It is always nice to see a gleaming finish emerge from under ages old patina.
Beautiful work, can't wait to see what you have in store for the handle.
Incredible work Cody, I think it probably looks better than it did when it was new.
I just inherited one of these beauties; though it may me a No. 9. In either case, it has the original handle and I can't wait to show it some special attention. Thankful for this helpful upload, my friend.
I just watch your videos to see how you do whatever it is your video is about, I like the commentary and seeing a skill I wouldn't have exposure to. That being said I am a very avid amateur mechanic, and I always had made in the USA pliers, either Craftsman (they are ok), or Channellock (they feel much more solid), but I finally committed and bought a pair of needle nose Knipex... wow. I thought Channellocks were great bang for your buck, but Knipex pliers are incredible. The Channellocks feel like you could abuse them for a lifetime and are well assembled, but the Knipex? They feel like you could abuse them for a lifetime and pass them on to your children, *and* they would still have the same surgical precision and fitment from the day they were made.
Oh, and same goes for multimeters. Even though I usually just use it for very crude measurements I've owned many multimeters, they're all complete garbage compared to Fluke. A $120 Fluke multimeter is going to be so much better than anything you can buy for that price or less, and the most important thing is it's *reliable*. I can take readings and get different results every time with a 20, 40, or 80 dollar meter, but the Fluke will tell you the right reading the first time, every time, and in 1/10 the time as the other meters. I don't even know how other companies even bother trying to make meters.
Hi Cody, refraction occurs when light passes through a body of something and the angle that the ray of light enters the material is different to the angle it leaves (for example glass changes the angle of the light leaving, glycerin does not.) Reflection is the ray of light "bouncing off" a material - however i think everyone knew what you meant when you said refracted from the flat spots in the top of the metal. Thanks for the video!
I've got a great old Wilton that I love, but I also recently lucked into a brand new Yost, and I have to say it is an outstanding vice. It hasn't had the test of time yet, but it is so solid I can't imagine it failing. The thing must weigh around 75 pounds or more.
I for one am glad of the 'improvements to the marble axe you have made. It gives me a much better idea of what a brand new one looked like and/or what one looks like that has been properly taken care of. After all, it didn't belong to Lewis and Clark so the patina isn't exactly part of the provenance, plus being tool steel it will soon gather another level of patina and who is to say a hundred years from now which owner did what to it. Seems to me all you have done is assured a much longer life of a nice non mint condition tool.
I just picked up a nice Henry Disston saw yesterday at an antique mall. Can't wait to get it refurbished and sharpened. I will send you a picture when I finish.
love that your still wearing those shoes!
Turned out beautiful!! Amazing work as usual!
Small tip I learned and want to pass along is if your file is loaded up with aluminum or something that the file card cant remove you can use a piece of brass to dig out the crud without damaging the file. Hope this helps someone. =)
Looks really nice, you did a great job.
Cody, there are basically, 2 different
kinds of telescopes. Reflectors and
refractors.
Refractors have lenses, and the light
goes through the lens.
Reflectors have a mirror, and the light
bounces (or reflects) off the mirror
I can state without a doubt, that light
is NOT refracting off that axe head.
steve
Wow, that came out nice. Thanks for sharing Cody.
After hearing you talk about the patina on the axe, the way I restore all my axes is with vinegar. I first do just like you do with the file and stones to get out all the imperfections, and then just set them in vinegar for 24hrs, it leaves a beautiful gray patina, and on a good quality axe with a tempered edge, it will leave a black color on just the edge thats tempered. That color change is one way I can tell I have a high quality axe.
That pole came out great! I have 3 axe heads (with mushroomed poles) that I've been holding on to for a couple of years, but I wasn't sure how to approach the fix. I'm going to give this method a shot!
these Videos are strangely relaxing :D I think you are the Bob Ross of Axes
I bought two axes, today. I bought an husqvarna Carpenters axe and a Grandsfors Scadanavian Forest Axe. It will probably be two weeks before I get them but my extra Christmas money was well spent, I think. I really miss the 6 inch field vise I had in my former shop. It belonged to my daddy and was really well used. I had to weld up the jaws and grind them down before I could use it and I had half inch bolts holding it to my work bench. A hell of a vise. I used it a manny of a time to pull barrels from rifles and straighten out lawn mower blades and the like
Hi Cody , great video and great channel... I wish I could also do what you do... Do what you like , be with family and in the nature.
I'm Italian and moved in Seattle for work of course 2 months ago planning to retire here... Could you please explain in a video maybe for us not Americans what is homesteading... How it works what exactly consist of , I would love to come and visit , and start my self my homesteading experience ! Thank you for your video and your genuine approach to life.
Welcome to the USA Peppe. I've considered retiring to Italy. #TradingPlaces. To understand homesteading, I'd consider purchasing Wranglerstar's book.
+lumspond ok, it was already in my Amazon cart...
Wow, really nice restore on that head. Good job!
Great job Cody that's impressive work! That will be one that can be passed down for many years to come!
I was going to mention about the file card and direction of travel to make it clean the cuts the best way I have found is to push it down from the top down not drawing it from below as you did in the video here just practice and makes all the difference . A great way to give a file a second life is to blast it with garnet this cleans out the cuts real well and leaves you with a sharp file. 🛠🇦🇺
Hey Cody I was thinking about your handle and the unique shape it has and it dawned on me. Get yourself a small piece of steel and drill 3 overlapping holes to match up with the 3 holes. Cut it in half then affix it to some sort of handle and use it like a shaped card scraper. Very similar to the old ways they used to have moulding planes back in the day to make moulding.
beautiful work Cody!
we have a Wilton vice, and have used it hard for many years, but we are still happy with it.
Looks very good, Cody. I see you are wearing the clogs again. I wear yellow ones. Greeting from Holland.
Working Steel with Stone, gives me Goose-Bumps.
Great Job Wranglerstar.
Nicely done sir !! the handle should be interesting and also the sheath as well !!
Toothpaste is great to use as a glass polish. Or use it to take scratches out of plastic.
I too was wondering about finishing the axe head. Personally I don't prefer a shiny axe head. I've used gun blue with success. It's a tool not a museum piece. Just wondering how well it will cut being so small. When finished you'll have to demonstrate it.. Nice project thanks for sharing it.
You're not supposed to run your fingers across the file to get the metal particles out. The oil from your fingers transfers into the file and sits along the top, eventually these will build and make the file less effective. Extremely picky but if you have the option just wipe the file on your pants or a rag then file card when necessary. Love the vid Cody!
Refracting is not the word you are looking for, reflecting is. Refraction is what happens when light travels through a medium and is altered in some way. Reflecting is light bouncing off of a surface. Just thought I would let you know. :)
I need to know what was blurred out in the field during the end card! The curiosity is killing me.
When I saw you use the file brush I thought that seemed weird, but I figured you had a lot more experience than I do with filing. Glad you brought that up though, I might of started using it inefficiently lol.
That's a manifestation of patience and love if I've ever seen one.
Was thinking though, if the metal was not forged & tempered properly it might mushroom & dull again quite quickly. Maybe you could have a few metal test pieces of known hardness levels, buy an induction forge & start tempering your own restored tools. That'd be pretty badass.
with the exception of construction and rafting axes the only the bit is heat treated.
Wranglestar,i love your videos that are made whit so much dedication!....
I have a suggestion for your shop:
- a 3 D printer( soft plastic, how's, you could even print the axe handle whit it, from...{ i saw on someone recicling P.E.T bottles and transform then on Amaizing home stuff})
If for your vise you need a even softer jow's, you may mold ones from silicone,whit a silicone gun....🤔
I think it looks beautiful. Also one thing I would recommend trying on the handle is try sooting it. Basically use a candle or wick lamp and use the smoke to put a black mark on the axe head and then press it to the wood so you can then start to carve out the shape and you can continue this until the handle is done. There are gun makers who still use this way of doing things today especially over in England. Might make your job 10 times easier in the end and you will be able to wipe it off and still keep it as beautiful as it is now.
Antique dealers don't actually use antiques, they merely look at them or sell them. Most probably couldn't swing an ax if their life depended on it.
As i was taught in my apprenticeship when cleaning you should also rub chalk into the blade to help get the partials out.
Outstanding finish. I will admit to you that I would have stopped with the first stone. That texture was fantastic. It looked recently hand forged. I am very interested in the handle also. PS don't worry about your video lengths they are perfect Maybe a little short. lol
Great video! Yesterday, there were a few Marbles axes, including a couple of this model, for sale on eBay UK. Not cheap, though, just over £100 sterling.
Most pull saws have teeth all the way to the end of the blade. Cut a slot (length wise) into the end of the handle about an inch longer than the width of the head at the 'point" of the indents within the head. measure the width of the points using safety tape to mark the saw depth. I did a double peg in some boat joinery using the method. Actually used a small pocket knife to carve the peg itself. Small jeweler's files for the finish.
I'm certainly glad you had nice temps today. I'm in southern Maine and it was 95F with high humidity today, absolutely miserable. I am not a fan of hot weather! As far as Wilton vises, we have them where I work and the vise is o.k. but the handles are rubbish, they bend way to easily.
I love these type of videos, keep it up
Wonderful job so far, excited to see how you tacked that handle. Ignore the haters whether it be about patina, spit, yada, yada...
Just a thought for the handle, what about a tool like Paul Sellers poor mans marking guage/ beader. Or maybe for the radiuses, drilling and cutting a piece of sheet metal into a scraper. Great videos Cody, especially the axe ones. Thank You for the effort you put into all of them!
Very nice Cody. Good job.
Nice Cody , keep up the great work
Whether or not you restore an item wholly depends on the value and usage you place on the item. From a monetary, antiquing perspective, removing the patina does reduce the approximate pricing of the item if it were to be sold to a curator or museum. On the other hand, if you have no intent in doing so and are interested in using the item or returning it closer to its original form, then restoring it may increase its value to you. It's good to be aware of both factors.
Reflecting over my left shoulder. Refraction requires a thickness of material like a prism or mirror.
So. Got my hands on a mil file to do my tools. Tried to do my two picks and it just did nothing. Gave up and ended useing the grinder. I then went to sharpen my hatchet and the file worked like a dream. Couldnt beleve how much less damage the file did compared to the last 20yrs of touching it up on the grinder. I wish i had these videos back then. Thanks heap. P.S. i think the picks must have been much harder steel
> Tried to do my two picks and it just did nothing.
Picks made of hardened steel (at least the point/edge) ?
If what you're trying to file isn't softer than the file, nothing happens as the file just slides on the hardened surface instead of cutting into the material