My hatchet restoration.

Dirty Digger Doug

Hero Member
Jul 17, 2020
500
2,797
Grand Rapids Michigan
Detector(s) used
Equinox 800
Garrett ATPro
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Found this hatchet on a farm near my house. I restored the head and made the handle from a ash log from my property. I'm going to give it to the home owner as a token of my appreciation.

IMG_20201222_120119792~2.jpg

IMG_20201222_120023861~2.jpg
 

OP
OP
D

Dirty Digger Doug

Hero Member
Jul 17, 2020
500
2,797
Grand Rapids Michigan
Detector(s) used
Equinox 800
Garrett ATPro
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Unfortunately I had it in vinegar before I thought about it. This was the least crusty and pitted that I had. This is also my first restoration of this kind. I have about 6 ax and 1 hatchet in a box of stuff my wife and I have found. Wanted to do a test run on one I wasn't going to keep. I believe this hatchet is probably 1930 to 1950.
 

DizzyDigger

Gold Member
Dec 9, 2012
5,787
11,447
Concrete, WA
Detector(s) used
Nokta FoRs Gold, a Gold Cube, 2 Keene Sluices and Lord only knows how many pans....not to mention a load of other gear my wife still doesn't know about!
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Beautiful work! :occasion14:
 

Fossils

Full Member
Oct 25, 2019
218
444
MA
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hi. I have a big mattock that I want to restore, but don’t really know where to begin. Mind sharing any tips on how to restore iron? Your axe came out in amazing shape!
 

OP
OP
D

Dirty Digger Doug

Hero Member
Jul 17, 2020
500
2,797
Grand Rapids Michigan
Detector(s) used
Equinox 800
Garrett ATPro
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I soaked it in vinegar and water for three days then ground the rust and pits off with a 4" disc grinder. Followed by an orbital sander using 60 grit - 220 grit to smooth it all down.
 

RustyGold

Gold Member
Aug 16, 2013
9,372
10,901
Southern California
Detector(s) used
XP Deus I & II
Xterra Pro
Primary Interest:
Other
That is a beautiful restoration job you did. The owner is going to appreciate that. Good luck and thanks for posting pics!
 

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,384
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Man that hatchet turned out beautiful Doug. :thumbsup:
Too bad we couldn't see what it looked like before the restoration, great work though.

Dave
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top