I recently aquired a video about forging a particular style hatchet and thought I'd share the process and the outcome. Here is the link to a slide show, but I will give more detail if you want. By the way, I am forging this. I am not sharing the video here, lest there be a misunderstanding.
web page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69503114@N06/sets/72157633102460457/)
Very cool Lin, Now I have another thing on my "Really really want" list.
Sweet Lin what kind of handle you going to use?
I really like it you make it look so easy.
Thanks.
I'm going to cut out a hickory handle. I have some kiln dried 5/4 hickory.
I love seeing how a master craftsman creates timeless tools. Thanks for sharing this...too cool!
Wow, that is some serious technical forging!
Fascinating!
Steve
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Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
I just got it heat treated. I think it will work out. I'll be posting pics soon. Thanks
Doggonit Lin, if it were possible I'd come down there and work for you for a year for nothin just so's I could watch. Maybe some of those skills would rub off on me... That is just too cool!
Outstanding!
That's very cool Lin, I am building my welding forge as we speak so I can play with more of this kind of thing........and damascus steel of course. :D
Love that style of hatchet.....what steel are you using for the cutting edge?
Darcy
I can't thank you enough for sharing this kinda stuff with us Lin. The light bulb is starting to flicker a bit in my little mind.
I really like that head. RS
Thanks fellers. I used 5160 for the bit.
This forging sequence is based on a very early way of making the hatchet. It is very simple, if you can call it that. I had to forge the drift, since I didn't have one already. I will forge another larger drift so I can scale this head up somewhat. The method is good for about any size head. One good thing about old methods, is that they dont require a lot of extra tools. Other than the drift, just hammer and anvil.
Lin, would you mind showing us the drift you made? This is a project that I can see the methods used transferring to other projects.
Chris
I'm trying to get some pictures and will add them soon. Thanks
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8598114523_778cf1a8ac_z.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8599215316_a008f01dd7_z.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8598115345_6928ba3c9a_z.jpg)
You'll notice that the drift is a little small but it seemed to work fine. It's mainly to straighten the eye since your goal is to never hit the eye walls with any real force anyway once the weld is made.
With this method, you shouldn't have to use the drift for much stretching. You have already forged the eye walls. You have to be satisfied that the walls are symetrical before you fold it, or you are making it more difficult.
Great explanation and descriptive images. I am really liking where this project is heading. Thank you for taking the time to show these projects and answer the questions.
Chris
Smoothing the handle. The head is drawn back and waxed. I'll wire wheel it just before I install the handle.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8599336126_95b8d41b68_z.jpg)
Pretty darned slick, right there.
Got her finished.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8599710361_2bd85f6670_z.jpg)
I learned a lot on this one and will be making some more as I get time. The main thing is that I want to understand the methods of getting from the bar stock to a hatchet. The dangerous areas and the pitfalls.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8599711111_a2bba45c2f_z.jpg)
That is so cool. It has stirred some memories for me Lin,
I remember watching my Grandad make handles for his axes and hatchets, he was a lumberjack in norther MI. I now use his draw knife and other tools to make my stuff. He never made his own heads to my knowledge.
That tool there is a thing of beauty. The grain in the handle looks about perfect. What a great piece.
Thanks for showing us Sir.
CTT
That's a great looking little axe. :thumbsup:
Darcy
I'm a huge fan of well made hand tools, that hand axe fits that discripetion to a T. It would be the perfect compainion on the hunt, trapline or for the forester cruising his trees.
Thanks for taking the time to show this project Lin. Hope you make many more. RS
Its refreshing to see something made for hard use ,That fits the bill! :thumbsup:
I may have misread, but I think i saw where you said you used mild steel. Would a high carbon steel be too brittle for a hatchet, or is there another reason for using mild steel?
Whatever the reason, it looks great.
:thumbsup:
Matt, I believe it's a mild steel body with a 5160 bit welded in for the cutting edge. It was the way most edged tools were made 100+ years ago, they would weld a steel bit into a wrought iron bodied tool because steel was very expensive. They made many tools that way including hammers and anvils.
Chris
Thanks Chris. I must have missed that little bit of info in the tutorial, but it makes a lot of sense as far as making a quality tool more affordable.
Sorry Matt. I've been away and missed your question. As Chris says, it has a 5160 bit welded in. That is one stage that is particularly prone to problems. One of those "dangerous" things I mentioned. Controlling the heat to make the weld between the mild and the high carbon is imperative.
The stuff you do ,just continue to amaze me! :thumbsup: