Mark630

I’m wondering if anyone has rented a shop space and has recommendations on where would be a good place to look. Looking for a small forge friendly place with electricity. I mean a cement box with 240v would be fine. I moved from a house into an apartment and I need to find a workshop space in the Chicagoland (40 miles outside) area. Any experience in this area would be greatly appreciated 

Hey everyone!

I was looking to do a wrapped eye axe with a poll. I was wondering what everyone would recommend for a starting size for the mild steel body, especially the thickness of the steel to start with. Looking to make a 2-2.5lb axe when all is done for a 28” boys axe. Thanks in advance!

You don’t want to make a whole axe out of 1095 because it will be too hard. 4140 is a great steel for axes if you are going to make them from a single large block. You can also do a wrapped eye axe where you take mild steel and make a preform that’s symmetrical and the. Wrap it so you form the eye. Then you put a strip of higher carbon steel like 5160 in as the bit between the 2 fla de halves you created. It gives you a shock absorbing body with a tough durable bit that resists chipping. Edge quench the strip of 5160 after welding and temper to bronze.