axe head

[jtermz]

what do you guys think I should do with this not sure if I posted it correctly

 

[chriskellyco]

Is that how you found it or has it gone through electrolysis? I can't really tell by looking.

 

[jtermz]

Is that how you found it or has it gone through electrolysis? I can't really tell by looking.

it has been sitting for about two years in a ziplock bag no electrolysis

 

[pa plateau hiker]

Holy cow. Are you afraid to touch it with bare hands? You are wearing gloves. It Aint gonna bite you. Just kidding. Electrolysis all the way. It should clean up in a couple days at the most. I've had axe heads come clean after a long day of electrolysis. Forget apple cider vinegar. I've tried it and am not impressed at all with it. it takes too long and flash rusts afterwards.

 

[jtermz]

Holy cow. Are you afraid to touch it with bare hands? You are wearing gloves. It Aint gonna bite you. Just kidding. Electrolysis all the way. It should clean up in a couple days at the most. I've had axe heads come clean after a long day of electrolysis. Forget apple cider vinegar. I've tried it and am not impressed at all with it. it takes too long and flash rusts afterwards.

I didnt want to have to go for a tetnis shot LOL

 

[Davers]

Holy cow. Are you afraid to touch it with bare hands? You are wearing gloves. It Aint gonna bite you. Just kidding. Electrolysis all the way. It should clean up in a couple days at the most. I've had axe heads come clean after a long day of electrolysis. Forget apple cider vinegar. I've tried it and am not impressed at all with it. it takes too long and flash rusts afterwards.

As he say's IMO.
Look's to have been found on or near the top of the ground or in water.

I like Ax Heads They just take up more room & weigh a-lot & W/O much space they can be hard to Display.
I got about 4 that I have cleaned & Preserved & about 3 more to go .

I get them cleaned up then attach a tag saying when & where it was found.
But
Now they are just stored in a big yellow kitty Litter Tub. (a shame really, ) I hope to someday have the space to properly display Them.
In the last year ,I have started leaving the Broken Or cracked one's I dig . On site for those who may want them same with the old Plows & Such.
Sorry TMI.
Davers

 

[Valley Ranger]

Here's the method I use after trying for several years to find the best one that works for me: Knock off as much loose stuff as you can with a wire brush/water. Soak it in apple cider vinegar for a couple of days. Wire brush again. Soak in ACV again - repeat until the majority of rust is off. From the ACV, dip in fresh water to remove any acidic ACV and immediately towel dry, then use an old toothbrush to work in some 3 in 1 oil over the whole surface. This is necessary to prevent flash/surface rust to return. You can then use a smaller wire brush to remove any remaining rust, though I prefer to use a Dremel with brush attachment. Then work in another coat of 3 in 1 oil and let it set for a day. If no rust returns (and it won't if you have the oil worked in well), spray with 2-3 coats of satin polyurethane if you're going to display it. If you're going to actually use it, then just attach a new handle and oil it after every use. I've tried multiple methods and this one really works well. I've yet to have any rust return using this method.

 

[hvacker]

If you want a shiny looking axe head just buy a new one. I like it the way you found it. All it's history.
If you want to stop the rust from falling off, spray some flat poly or lacquer on it.

 

[Valley Ranger]

If you seal it with rust still on it, it will likely continue to rust. That's been my experience anyway. Each project is different though.

 

[hvacker]

Can't rust w/o oxygen me thinks.

 

[acm3]

Agree with apple cider vinegar like "pa plateau hiker" says. I finally made my electrolysis machine just like this video from WOOD magazine and it works great. My 1800s axe head was the first in the "machine" (after a few test pieces) https://youtu.be/54ADeB6V1rQ

 

[A2coins]

Is the electrolysis machine easy to use