T.J.watts Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I had some down time at work so I tried something I've been thinking about. The body is from 2x3/8 A36 strap, I folded the strap around a rod and TIG welded the joint. The cutting edge is TIG using needles from an air scaler for the filler rod till it was 3/8 thick and 3/8 high. After that I hammered the blade out and finished shaping with a torch and grinder. The texture was done with the scaler and brushed. The handle is an old sledge handle, at first I just burnt the handle a bit for looks and I didn't like it so I painted it black then sanded clean to show the grain. I haven't decided if I'm going to do more or just leave it as is. I'm also thinking about doing a matching blade. It sure as heck isn't the Norse but I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Very interesting process and a nice result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 TJ is a weldor first, lol. But a creative on. If he dosnt watch out I may liberate hus axe...tho, i would like to see him produce a sax to go with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.J.watts Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 I still haven't decided on the matching blade but here is the finished axe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Another creative solution with great results. There are many ways to skin a cat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Like the resultant for quite a bit. Your file/grind work on the edges to produce the sexy curves on the top and bottom of the hawk really sell this. What did you do about heat treating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.J.watts Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 It was a bit of a guess because I wasn't sure how the welding would effect the blade so I heated to a bright orange and quenched in hydraulic fluid ( I know its not the healthiest but this was all done at work on free time so I'm kinda limited) For the temper I brought it to a purple/blue and that seems to have worked well. The edge will still cut with a mill file but doesn't dull splitting 4x4's . Just since Charles asked I'm going to make a matching seax, it'll be the first one I've done so we'll see how it turns out. I think I am going to try the welding method on some tools to test and see how well it really works. I would really like to get more feedback from everyone on welding the bit this way, if anyone has tried it and how it worked for them, or maybe I'm just a silly welder thinking crazy stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Functionally, your method is similar to someone who tacks weld joints on ornamental work with a MIG and then completes them with forge welding technique. I personally see nothing wrong with either - whatever constitutes the best means to the end should take precedence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will52100 Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Good looking hawk, never would have guessed the construction method from the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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