A while ago, one of the arses working for me busted the handle on a pretty good wood shingling hatchet I had. (This is about a 4″ head, not the little roof shingler’s hatchet.)
This week I got around to drilling the old handle out and when I looked at the side of the head, I see it’s cracked at least two thirds of the way up. Not sure how, but it doesn’t really matter.
If it was welded, would it hold? Would it mess up the metal? I’ve not had good experiences when welded tools get subject to pounding stresses. Or do I just put it on the wall with the other handle-less tools for show? It’s not the only one I own, obviously, but it was the first decent one that I got so there’s a little attachment to it.
Don K.
Replies
Not a reason in the world why you can't weld it and it will work just fine.
Where welding repair of tools goes wrong is when people don't know what they are doing and think one rod works for everything. The old 6013 barnyard standby isn't up to the job.
Check with your local welding supply shops to see who is a Eutectic distributor. They got bought out by Messer, they used to be known as Castolin+Eutectic, might still be.
They make rod for everything including welding up truck springs. I've used their 680 rod for stuff that you wouldn't ordinarily think could work and it did. 120,000 psi, doesn't work harden, tremendously flexible, no parent metal contamination.
Down side is it isn't cheap. Sometimes distributors will have sample packs (like three sticks) that they will give you to try out.
A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
Thanks, Catskinner.
Sad part about it is I'll need to take it to someone that knows how to weld it even though I have a mig. Never got "edumacated" in how to use it right, and now it's packed up for moving to VA.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Pack it up too, weld when you get moved.
For side of the eye, your mig will work fine; as a precaution, wrap the head and blade in a wet rag before welding the eye.
You're welcome.That MIG won't do you any good in this case unless you can run stick off of it, believe me, you don't want to buy any of this wire we're talking about.When you get situated, check around and see who's good in the area. Your local custom motorcycle shop is usually a good place to start asking. Your local airport is usually even better; a good A&P mechanic can fix just about anything right the first time.Part of the beauty of Eutectic rod is anyone with the most basic skills can use it. It's an easy rod to use -- I have more trouble with a caulking gun than this stuff.Don't let anyone talk you into preheating the tool, it is not necessary and it will hurt the tool. Just clean it real well with a solvent that leaves no residue, give it a slight gouge with an angle grinder using a a real thin disc (like a flex-disc), and anyone with basic welding skills will get good results. Watch the heat so you don't undercut, smooth the weld off with a multi-disc when you're done, you probably won't be able to find the repair.A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
Don, bring it when you come. I've used 7018 rod on an axe head, hasn't failed.
But even better if you pick up some of that 680 on the way over. Always ready to learn something new. We can even play with my mig if you want, but I've never gotten very good penetration with it.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I didn't realize that Don was going to be in such good hands. <G> Cool.I agree about the 7018 -- it doesn't work harden, so it would be good. I also agree about the MIG. I ran MIG when I worked for a fabrication shop many many years ago, I like it just fine in its proper place. But in the field I'll take 6010, 6011, 7014, 7018 stick, and the 680 when things get challenging.I've seen trouble with MIG. It's easy to produce an attractive bead so it often is touted as the answer to everything, but it's not. It's a good production process in controlled conditions on appropriately prepared materials in the hands of a skilled user.The guy out in the driveway with the wrong wire on poorly prepared metal with a light breeze blowing is more likely to get a pretty but worse than useless bead.The only problem you'll have with Eutectic is the price. Mostly because it's so good to work with you want more. <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
It's a good production process in controlled conditions on appropriately prepared materials in the hands of a skilled user.
Well, that lets me out. On both counts (controlled conditions and skilled user). Friends who really do weld well call my stuff gorilla welds. Strong and ugly. LOL With mig, I'm really not adept. Need to do a lot more burning.
You've seen the toys I play with, and the age of 'em. Every now and again the welder gets used. Like shortly, when I'm going to attempt fabricating a ball joint separator for the Cat. My pickle forks ain't anywhere near large enough and I'm going to try the screw thread method unless you know a better way. I put a jack under one ball joint stud and picked up the corner of that 23k lb machine! Still didn't pop when I beat on the housing.
How's that go- the bigger they are the more PITA?
But Don can relax. The new tires are already mounted on the tractor. And nobody got hurt.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
<<Friends who really do weld well call my stuff gorilla welds. Strong and ugly. LOL>>Strong and ugly . . . those are good things, right? I sure hope so, those two qualities have gotten me by for decades and it's fortunate, otherwise I wouldn't be any good for anything. <G>Do you ever run 6010 DCEP a little to the hot side for a root pass and 7018 over top as a fillet? Yo can get a true gorilla weld in there and make it look pretty, too.Right - - - a gorilla with makeup . . . and nice clothes. A little too early in the day for that mental image. <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
DCEP? Man, all I've got is an old AC tombstone. And the mig I bought for thin steel. Still doing better with gas...
I might now weld well enough to feel the DC difference, but the last time (several yrs ago) I tried a DC machine I couldn't tell the difference. Never tried 6010. I keep 6011 around for nasty steel.
Awhile back there was some clown here who tried to tell me that all 7018 was good for AC even though I had some that wouldn't work. Even for the certified welder who used to come up for my critical welding. Grainger catalog lists both 7018s.
There's a whole lot I don't know about welding, including 680. Next time I get into town I'll ask my supplier. A guy in Arizona, hangs out at Yesterday's Tractor, knows more about welding than anybody I've met. Used to teach certification. He guided me through making a large socket, 3 5/16" IIRC. I threatened to post a pic of it there with his name on it. LMAO- it was really ugly, and worked. He suggested I might not like the retaliation.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Boy, the both of you (Yeah, You and Catskiner) are sick puppies. Interesting, skilled. learned, hard working and intelligent. But, sick! (Notice, I left out handsome.)
I haven't seen so many numbers since my algebra regents exam, and that was a long time ago.
I'm wrapping that head up, separate from my other stuff (easy to say today), and WE will deal with it an appropriate time.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
LOL!I thought the same. You needed an enigma machine to understand that.
First and last time I welded was making a go-kart in high school shop. Still would like to learn it properly though.
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It's only satisfying if you eat it.
Shoot, I was gonna invite you down until I read your last line. Still would like to learn it properly though. Catskinner's the place to visit.
My welding's definitely function over form. Which is why all those numbers are so important. Didn't y'all listen to your math teachers?
LMAO... PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I'll visit you for the concrete clinic. LOL
It's a plan!
30 yds coming up the driveway. You and Don on the forms trying not to let Catskinner kill you while he drives my 50 yr old Linkbelt crane swinging the concrete bucket (no pumpin' on this mountain). I'll follow with the tickler. Will even please the assessor who keeps showing up unannounced to see if I've completed my indoor pool yet.
End of the day Catskinner can give us all a welding lesson (and bring the expensive rod). After that, beer and tractor races. Or....PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I'M IN! <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
I'm in too! When ever you mention beer, my ears perk up, must be the Canuck in me. Maybe Catskinner can teach us how to drive a grader too.Just did a site visit this morning in the Village (NYC) where they are excavating the basement of an 1850's townhouse. The concrete for the underpinning is being placed by a bobcat delivering the concrete in a 1/3cy hopper, driving down a set of metal ramps 18' below street level.
The concrete placement is costing about $1500 cy.
TGNY -
Caught mention of the site visit. What business are you in, if I may ask?
As far as these other two,,,try to get me liquored up and make me work??? Don't you guys know that it's against union regs for a lawyer to break a sweat, and if I have to move concrete, I'll be sweatin'. Actually, if I have some crazy Southerner chasing my big Yankee butt witha barrel full of concrete, I'll really be sweating.
We need to renegotiate this deal, and I want a sit down job! Okay, I'll bring the beer. Nobody gets any until my hatchet gets welded tho'.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Yeah, you're still trying to make up for not calling me handsome. Well, I asked DW. She said I was already spoken for.
So there.
Sit down job? Sure. Just plant your Yankee butt on top of the wall. You can reach the bucket control from there. But if Catskinner isn't real careful with the crane levers you might find yourself with a lapful of concrete bucket. Shouldn't be much more than a couple thousand pounds. No problem. Right?
When I first moved here a very nice lady actually asked if I was a Yankee. Told her I didn't know, was raised in Arizona. She didn't have any idea either.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Don, I do a variety of things, depends which day you catch me. Lately I've been doing construction consulting/project managing/cost estimating. I came up through the trades as a carpenter, but got an Arch. degree also. I spent last year tearing down and rebuilding my summer house in East Hampton, getting back in touch with my carpenter side. Now I'm working on another business venture, time to make real money hopefully.
<<I'm in too! When ever you mention beer, my ears perk up, must be the Canuck in me. >>Now I'm scared.<G> Is it true that blood and broken furniture are considered decorations at French Canadian wedding receptions? <BG><<Maybe Catskinner can teach us how to drive a grader too.>>I bet Tom is a heck of a lot better with that blade than me. I spend most of my life on track excavators and small dozers. Motor graders are amazing. It takes about 5 minutes to figure out the controls and another 20 years to get good with them.A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
>> Is it true that blood and broken furniture are considered decorations at French Canadian wedding receptions? No myth. But I'm an anglophone, we are a little more civilized, blood and smashed up cars.<g>For some reason I thought your moniker came from being a grader.
<<No myth. But I'm an anglophone, we are a little more civilized, blood and smashed up cars.<g>>><LOL> So you can attend the high-class parties and fit right in?<<For some reason I thought your moniker came from being a grader.>>It's an old midwestern term for an equipment operator, bestowed upon me by an elderly gentleman who was on the early highway projects in Minnesota. Probably back when wheels were wood and men were steel.When I'm not going around in circles or digging myself into a hole, I'm just moving through life at about 1.2 mph. Except if I hit the switch with the picture of the little rabbit on it, but I don't get to do that very often. <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
<<I put a jack under one ball joint stud and picked up the corner of that 23k lb machine! Still didn't pop when I beat on the housing.>>No better ideas here, at least not yet. Are we talking about a rod end like on a tie rod or a ball-joint like on an A-arm?A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
Are we talking about a rod end like on a tie rod or a ball-joint like on an A-arm?
Tie rod. And found out today that my recently concocted puller (pusher?) won't fit until I remove those wheels. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. My manual doesn't list toe-in specs. Any ideas? <G>
If this thing wasn't so big and heavy I'd be tempted to leave the damn things alone. Especially at $300 each replacement. Guy I bought it from was loading a very expensive trailer that way, and no brakes even. Brakes are now great. Had a close call with my shop today. Tight steering might be better. Pretty sure I could do some damage with this thing.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Does the pin run from the top down or from the bottom up?On the toe, I'd try about 1/16th to 1/8" toe-in. You don't need much, but toe-out will make it uncontollable at high speed.A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
>>>>We can even play with my mig if you want, but I've never gotten very good penetration with it.Ok, now I'm afraid to ask the name of that mountain you live on...
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer
<<Ok, now I'm afraid to ask the name of that mountain you live on...>>Now you know why welders are sometimes compared to the Oldest Profession.Always yelling for more heat, more rod, and more money.And now, thanks to you, we can add more penetration. OK, maybe we won't. How about maybe we'll just leave this one right here. <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)
Damn! Did they let you out again? And I just heard from Sphere tonight.
You'd probably really like it. Push the button and it just keeps on feeding out and out and out and out....PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I convinced them I was not a threat to society tonight.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer
If you get FHB's 25th anniversary edition. Larry Haun wrote an article about his progressive framing techniques in the 1960's. One of the things he talks about is welding ripping claws from an Estwing to a rigging hatchet.
If a weld will hold strong enough to pull nails, I'm sure it will hold on your hatchet repair.
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It's only satisfying if you eat it.
I used to love Ovaltine.I remember that bit about the rebar hammer handle from Haun's book.
When I was a teenager I worked on a big concrete job and that is exactly what the laborers hammers looked like.