Thread: Axe restoration - electrolysis trial

I'd been planning on doing a trial of electrolysis for rust removal - more for interest level rather than anything sensible. I'd also been watching some youtube vids of people restoring old axes, so decided to give it a go.
Cheap old axe on TM - $10 - nice we short axe, longer than a hatchet, but shorter than a splitter - about 68cm overall.
Grabbed old laptop power supply that was getting chucked at work, saw some steel on the side of the motorway - wacked it all together and 5hrs later its not too shabby.
If you're a sparky, don't comment on my wiring!!!!!
Now just need a nice piece of hardwood to learn handle making.

Nice job mate, electrolysis does do a quick job. I have also had great success with leaving the head in standard white vinegar over night. If you are looking for a more clean look then a wire brush fitted to a power drill will bring it up something wicked. Look forward to seiing the project progress.

Originally Posted by Shooter

Nice job mate, electrolysis does do a quick job. I have also had great success with leaving the head in standard white vinegar over night. If you are looking for a more clean look then a wire brush fitted to a power drill will bring it up something wicked. Look forward to seiing the project progress.

Cheers - might give it a wack with the wire brush in the drill - not too sure about a shiny finish though, don't want it to re-rust....
Had been reading up on the vinegar to do surface etching, did not realize it would take rust out...

Originally Posted by hamsav

you could just replace the head with a shiny new one , then all you'd need would be a new handle and that old axe would be good as new

Killjoy !

I have a collection myself, I have a thing for Kelly, Hytest, plumb USA etc. You can never have just one good axe.
remember the best rust preventative for an axe head is use!

Just be aware that with high carbon and high tensile steels hydrogen embrittlement is likely and this destroys the temper of the item just need to anneal in a hot oven for a few hours to drive the hydrogen out.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Just be aware that with high carbon and high tensile steels hydrogen embrittlement is likely and this destroys the temper of the item just need to anneal in a hot oven for a few hours to drive the hydrogen out.

Oh, that's interesting thanks - will read up some on this!