Tool Talk

Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: OilyRascal on July 29, 2012, 10:15:40 PM

Title: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: OilyRascal on July 29, 2012, 10:15:40 PM
Today I cut a white oak and split wood the first half of the day.  I found myself inspired to finish this project in queue.  The head came from Dimwittedmoose as part of a trade - the handle from a stand of hickory I'd cut in the last 6 months.  My first handle to do on my own.  My wife wants to know why I keep sneezing all evening.  I need better sanding tools.  I think I learned much of fitting it into the head - what NOT to do.  I "thought" I had it cut down enough and when I started beating it through that commitment part on the very end - I splintered 3/16-1/4 on the end on either side at the head.  I tried to make the best of it, but you can see the flaws nonetheless.

Craftsman
Weighing 2lbs 12oz
18" in length
4-1/2" blade

(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p534/alphinde/846471584_photobucket_137110_.jpg)
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Papaw on July 29, 2012, 10:33:19 PM
Looks better than I could do!
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: scottg on July 30, 2012, 12:54:30 AM
Excellent side ax and just brilliant for a first handle!! Way to go!

 Scrapers, you need a spokeshave and some scrapers.
  90% of the work done long before the sandpaper comes out, with no dust.
  And much much faster to boot.
 yours Scott
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Nolatoolguy on July 30, 2012, 02:04:53 AM
Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: OilyRascal on July 30, 2012, 06:00:51 AM
Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?

No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on July 30, 2012, 08:21:59 AM
Nice Work Oily!  Great Circa 1927 logo.
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Branson on July 30, 2012, 09:57:17 AM
No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.

Time for Mr. Drawknife and Mr. Spokeshave!  Mr. Scraper could help, too.  But you did a very creditable job with this handle.  First view, I took it as a (good) factory made.  Very fine side ax!
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: OilyRascal on July 30, 2012, 10:28:46 AM
Time for Mr. Drawknife and Mr. Spokeshave!  Mr. Scraper could help, too.  But you did a very creditable job with this handle.  First view, I took it as a (good) factory made.  Very fine side ax!

I tried the drawknife for two rounds.  I finally had to throw those on the grill and call them practice.  I gave it a go with a longer rasp.  Tried a 1-1/2" chisel nice and sharp after I had it rounded over.  I took much material in all the wrong places with all of them.  Had a very hard time transitioning from grip to belly to throat getting the lines I wanted.....particularly in trying to align the grain in those transition areas.  Finally decided it was time to work in much smaller takes of wood.....knowing it'd take more time than needed - but it was a Sunday afternoon sitting around shooting the bull.   

My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: lbgradwell on July 30, 2012, 11:12:50 AM
My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"

And from a practical perspective he may have been right. But we know that's not the point, don't we? ;)

A very nice job and an excellent old axe-head.
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Nolatoolguy on July 30, 2012, 05:03:14 PM
Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?

No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.

Very impresive :)
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: scottg on July 30, 2012, 06:26:23 PM

I tried the drawknife for two rounds.  I finally had to throw those on the grill and call them practice.

 Next time turn the drawknife upside down.
 
 With the bevel down, you now have leverage to --stop-- the cutting easy.

 Because the bevel is down, the handles will be more at an angle to the work and a straight back pull wants to stop instead of dig in. 
 So you have to actually lean them forward to get a cut at all.

  Much more controllable.   Much safer!! 
Try it
  yours Scott
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: OilyRascal on July 30, 2012, 06:38:29 PM
Next time turn the drawknife upside down.

I will do just that.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: rustynbent on July 30, 2012, 07:51:16 PM
My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"

And from a practical perspective he may have been right. But we know that's not the point, don't we? ;)

A very nice job and an excellent old axe-head.


Never a more true statement here. Great job on the handle and your commitment to excellent.

Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on August 07, 2012, 05:19:57 AM
Oily's nice axe handle inspired me to take a swing at handlecraft. ( I'm not sure just how many puns are in that last statement considering that I made the handle from an old baseball bat)  Anyway, here is my first effort using a lathe, a rasp and sandpaper. Stain and Galoot Mix are the next step.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb373/johnsironsanctuary/My%20Wrenches/MyHandle.jpg)
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: OilyRascal on August 07, 2012, 05:29:41 AM
I like it.  A lot!
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Nolatoolguy on August 07, 2012, 05:31:07 AM
Oily's nice axe handle inspired me to take a swing at handlecraft. ( I'm not sure just how many puns are in that last statement considering that I made the handle from an old baseball bat)  Anyway, here is my first effort using a lathe, a rasp and sandpaper. Stain and Galoot Mix are the next step.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb373/johnsironsanctuary/My%20Wrenches/MyHandle.jpg)

Looks very good. You sure this is your first time doing a handle? LOL
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: Branson on August 07, 2012, 11:43:50 AM
Lookin' good, Johnsironsancturary.
Title: Re: Craftsman hatchet now in service
Post by: clovis on September 17, 2012, 12:56:08 PM
Wow!!!! Nice handles!!!! Nice work!!!

I have a serious love for vintage Craftsman tools.