Axe display / storage racks.

B

bbforstr

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Jul 10, 2013
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I've been thinking I need some kind of rack to display my axes and to get them off the floor. I've seen a lot of vintage axes with pitting on the toe of the bit die to sitting on concrete or dirt for long periods.

Does anybody have plans or even a general description for an axe rack they have built? I've looked for axe racks on everyone's favorite auction site with limited success. The ones I've seen we're pretty small and expensive because they were old hardware store models.

I'm pretty handy with galvanized pipe and can thread my own. Not too bad with wood construction either.

Any thoughts or examples would be greatly appreciated.
 
I did a simple shelf on the wall with a notch a little wider than the handle. I shimmed the shelf so it was lower on the wall side to keep the axes from ever wiggling off the shelf as I bump into the handles and such. Very primitive way to display them and keep them off the ground.

Jon
 
Here's a stand that holds 36 axes (with handles) and 36 more axe heads, and its size is only 2 feet in diameter. It rolls on castors. The bowl on top is for axe stones and wedges.

books


This and other designs can be found in
The American Hardware Store: A Manual of Approved Methods of Arranging and Displaying Hardware, Richard Williams, 1896
http://books.google.com/books?id=9jgUAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22axe%20rack%22&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=%22axe%20rack%22&f=false

Here's a thread on axe stands/shelves:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1057452-Axe-Stand-or-Shelf
 
Jonthepirate said:
I did a simple shelf on the wall with a notch a little wider than the handle. I shimmed the shelf so it was lower on the wall side to keep the axes from ever wiggling off the shelf as I bump into the handles and such. Very primitive way to display them and keep them off the ground.

Jon
Click to expand...

How many axes does it hold? So far I have 14, both single and double bits. Did you make it out of 2x4s?
 
Steve Tall said:
Here's a stand that holds 36 axes (with handles) and 36 more axe heads, and its size is only 2 feet in diameter. It rolls on castors. The bowl on top is for axe stones and wedges.

books


This and other designs can be found in
The American Hardware Store: A Manual of Approved Methods of Arranging and Displaying Hardware, Richard Williams, 1896
http://books.google.com/books?id=9jgUAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22axe%20rack%22&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=%22axe%20rack%22&f=false

Here's a thread on axe stands/shelves:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1057452-Axe-Stand-or-Shelf
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve. There are some nice axe racks shown, and some good ideas. I don't think I'm quite skilled enough to make one as shown in the illustration. I have a good number of double bits too and need to protect the family from injury. Some of themracksmin your second link might work with a hinged cover. Thanks for the advice and links.
 
not quite as fancy. I used old wooden tool boxes. You find them all over the place in New England. The bonus is they are not leaning on each other or the wall.

 
Bb. Mine has two slots that are about 5-6" deep. It holds about 6 axes/hatchets. You could make one as deep as you want or with as many slots as you want to hold more.

Jon
 
Thanks Coop. I like that solution. They are off the floor. It protects the toe of the bit and it looks like it's not too tough to build. I'm more interested in protecting the axes than displaying them. I don't have too many friends interested in my axe collection. They don't understand how important axes are in difficult times., I still would like to see a design that's good for display so I can show off what I've restored.

Check your vintage axes. Most of the time they are more pitted on the toe of the bit because they were stored head down on the ground or on concrete. I can't complain, I've stored my favorites like that for decades.
 
Here's a couple of pics. I know, I know, a particle board shelf is awful, but I was in my garage when I wanted a simple shelf.



 
Jonthepirate said:
Here's a couple of pics. I know, I know, a particle board shelf is awful, but I was in my garage when I wanted a simple shelf.



Click to expand...

Jon

That's an awesome and easy design. It looks like it would work well for single or double bits. My axe obsession is starting to scare my wife but I don't worry about that too much. What she doesn't know? Did you see Cooperhill's idea? Not as good for display, but an excellent way to protect axes from corrosion. Especially if you have a large collection.

Thanks for the photos. I knew there would be some great ideas out there.
 
You can pick these up real cheap and garage sales. I have way to many know though and need things that will take up less space.
002.JPG
 
Garry,

Who makes those racks? Can they safely hold double bits? They look like they are pretty good for display racks. I like,to show off my collection when I can get someone interested..
 
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bbforstr said:
Garry,

We makes those racks? Can they safely hold double bits? They look like they are pretty good for display racks. I like,to show off my collection when I can get someone interested..
Click to expand...

This one was made by Plano. I have a few kind of like it. They are for storing rakes and shovels ect. The problem is they take up to much space for the amount of storage. At least in my case. I need to make some like Steve posted.
 
I'm currently working on a basic rack just to keep my axes organized and easy to pick from. I was toying with the idea of a horizontal display rack, but I gave up on the idea for time constraints. I will post some photos of my rack once I get it reasonably finished.
 
I usually carry whatever axes I'm going to use in a square plastic pail. Realized recently how it is a perfect solution to storing axes - safely/ off the floor/ in a compact and easy to move manner. If you put oil absorbent pads in the inside bottom - you could even spray a little rust preventive of your choice in the bucket. Or drop in a sock full of silica kitty litter to absorb moisture.
Here is a picture of ten axes / hatchets in a pail that formerly held roofing fasteners. Some kitty litter comes in these shape buckets also.
Double bits might be too big. They can easily be hung on a rack made to hang shovels. Not fancy or vintage - but works.
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gemplers-extra-wide-HR16.jpg
 
And since you mention pipe. Here is a rotary gun rack that uses common pipe fitting. Could even customize a floor to celling double decker to save space.
rotary1.jpg

rotary2.jpg
 
I use these to display my rifles, so I'm sure they would hold a full size axe. Now to display multiple axes like some of these folks have You could make multiple of the hooks and then get two long sort of straight branches. Then drill the hooks into them and lean them against a wall. Not very efficient but I think it would look good. I got the idea from the Art of Manliness site: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/01/29/how-to-make-a-coat-hook-from-a-tree-branch/

WP_001317.jpg
 
I.N.F.K said:
I use these to display my rifles, so I'm sure they would hold a full size axe. Now to display multiple axes like some of these folks have You could make multiple of the hooks and then get two long sort of straight branches. Then drill the hooks into them and lean them against a wall. Not very efficient but I think it would look good. I got the idea from the Art of Manliness site: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/01/29/how-to-make-a-coat-hook-from-a-tree-branch/

View attachment 374397
Click to expand...

Got this bookmarked think my hawks and axes would great on the wall with these . Thanks
 
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