Axe repair - epoxy

[tsquini]

The head of my axe came off after 5 years of use. The fiberglass handle is good and the head is still in good only the epoxy holding it together separated. Has anyone successfully epoxied the head back on a axe before? I'm accepting all tips and procedure recommendation.

 

[Ashful]

I have not, but after having the same issue many years ago, I did do a little reading on the subject. It will work for some time, but will eventually fail. The repeated abuse causes any epoxy to eventually crack and fail in the eye.

Is the eye a standard shape, which will accept a wooden handle? A wood handle is far nicer on your arms and hands, and fitting one to an axe or maul is a pretty quick and simple job, once you know how. Plenty of videos (both right and wrong) can be found on YouTube, demonstrating the technique.

 

[tsquini]

I have not, but after having the same issue many years ago, I did do a little reading on the subject. It will work for some time, but will eventually fail. The repeated abuse causes any epoxy to eventually crack and fail in the eye.

Is the eye a standard shape, which will accept a wooden handle? A wood handle is far nicer on your arms and hands, and fitting one to an axe or maul is a pretty quick and simple job, once you know how. Plenty of videos (both right and wrong) can be found on YouTube, demonstrating the technique.

Yes, I can use a wood handle if I need to. The fiberglass handle is still is good shape.

 

[Fifelaker]

Yes you can reapply epoxy. I have done 2 of mine and I need to do my 8# maul.

 

[tsquini]

Yes you can reapply epoxy. I have done 2 of mine and I need to do my 8# maul.

What kind of epoxy did you use?

 

[Fifelaker]

Local hardware store had some made for this repair. I do not recall a brand name but it was by the maul and axe display. For my 3# hand sledge I had some JB weld laying around and it has held for almost a year now. I did clean everything up pretty well with sand paper before gluing it.

 

[Firewood Bandit]

About 15 years ago I re-epoxied a fiberglass handled 8# splitting maul. It was used as the primary splitting maul until 2 years ago when I started using X27's. The epoxy has cracked but the head is still tight. I think it was Devcon 5 minute epoxy.

It the grey one on the right.