Messed up

[SLONG1958]

Hey guys this is probably not where I need to post this but I need some serious help. This was my great granddads hatchet when he was a child and my brother wanted me to put a handle in it, everything was going good till I drop the head and it hit a solid piece of iron and you see what happened. I can't believe this happened as careful as I was being putting the handle in and out. Whats the best way to try and fix this taking into mind that it's just going to be displayed not used.
Thanks

 

[bczygan]

I couldn't find any problem............until I scrolled down!!!

 

[Dmoen]

Weld, grind, sand, paint. Don't drop.

 

[txvwnut]

JB Weld might help and if applied thin enough you might not even see the repair.

 

[ForceFed70]

You're not going to be able to keep the original patina which is too bad. I'd weld to repair then polish to a shine.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

For display purposes you may be able to drill and pin (put dowels in). The joint will be barely visible. If you want stronger One side could be welded or brazed. This may make the break more noticeable.
You could have it welded, grind the welds and polish the whole thing. Patina will be gone.

The strongest and best cosmetically would be to replace the head. But I'm guessing won't be acceptable.

 

[SLONG1958]

I thought about glueing because it's just going to be displayed not used, I even thought about drilling and pinning just don't know how the line up would be.Welding would definitely destroy the look. I just can't believe this happen after being so careful.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

This would be a great time to discuss Theseus's Paradox! Basically it is a philosophical debate which says if all the parts of a ship are replaced over time, is it still the same ship?

When an axe handle is replaced we say it is still the same axe. If the head is then replaced, does it cease to be the same axe?

This doesn't help your situation but I'd say the axe represents your grandfather, so no matter how you alter it, isn't it the memory that remains?

Oh yeah, if it's a display place I'd just epoxy it. If you are mounting it to a display board, tack weld the back side of the head and mount.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for JB Weld. Get it to hold together if that's all you need to display.

However, the LONG-TERM solution is . . .
. . . Weld, grind down weld, then bury in wet dirt for 5 yrs for patina !!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

, I even thought about drilling and pinning just don't know how the line up would be.

Take the handle off. Clamp it together. Drill and pin from inside the handle hole.
Thinking about it you might be able to drill or cut a slot and weld from inside the handle hole. Definitely would require some finesse

 

[Can I try?]

Well, I can definitely understand your disappointment, feeling as if you somehow destroyed a cherished symbol of your Granddad.

But, after a moment of reflecting I realized that if you can somehow repair the hatchet in a way that maintains its usefulness, then you'll only be adding to the history of a family heirloom.

I like the weld, grind, and polish idea. Or, just throwing this out there, could it be "laced" back together with some drilled holes and wire? I have a split axe handle that I repaired in this way and it has held up fine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I probably would have used the rest of the roll of paper towels to dry up the tears.


If it's for display only, why not make a felt lined display case ? If it fits snugly in the case, you might be able to get away with some Super Glue to hold it together as it won't be touched again while it's in the case.

 

[Zeke]

I thought about glueing because it's just going to be displayed not used, I even thought about drilling and pinning just don't know how the line up would be.Welding would definitely destroy the look. I just can't believe this happen after being so careful.
Thanks for the help.

If that's all you're looking for, the original Super Glue will hold it fine and you'll hardly see a crack. JB weld is quite viscous and it's hard to clamp until all the squeeze out is done and cleaned up.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

All this talk of welding? Why did it break so easily? Is it made of steel? Or Cast iron? Bothers me that a hatchet head would be so fragile.

 

[d.mcfarland]

It split clean in half? If there are no chunks missing why not try the jb weld option first and if that doesn't work move towards welding and then repainting black.

 

[fourjeepin]

Another vote for weld it. Might as well fix it right such that someone could use it one day.

 

[kaymccampbell]

First tell the brother. Tell him you will fix it.
Then weld it. Grind it down close.
Treat the weld so it looks pretty close to the original.
Drills, punches, heat and needle gun is my favorite for aging new metal.
Buff out the whole thing a bit.
Then antique it with your choice of paint, acid, etc till it kind of looks like the original.
Brother will be happy and tease you seemingly endlessly about it til one of you leaves the earth.

 

[WWShop]

JB Weld or gorilla glue. Gorilla glue does expand though.

 

[SLONG1958]

I'm going with glueing and pinning to see how that works. If it's doesn't then
I'll weld it. I've already got the pins drilled all I need now is some JB WELD.
The pic only shows 1 pin but I added another. I really appreciate your help.

 

[zkling]

If the pieces fit back to gether very well (clean break, no bending). I'd just use some good epoxy, such as devcon 2 ton.

 

[harleybuilder]

You can cover and blend the repair seam with a mixture of brown and black crayon . It will fill the crack and blend with the rest of the patina.