Removing metal wedges the easy way

[Fmont]

So this is been working out really well for me and I wanted to share. I mentioned the idea some time ago and one of the various threads with hundreds of replies, but I can't remember where. I had been drilling and tapping in metal wedges and drawing them out by turning the screws.

Well tonight I was thinking about the fact that these wedges are always soft steel. So I wanted to see if I could do it quick and dirty with drywall screws. Turns out it's not even dirty, it's just dead easy.

In short the process is this:

-Pilot 7/64" hole in metal wedge.
-Pilot 1/8" hole in hard wood scrap
-1.25" drywall screw goes through the 1/8" hardwood and drive it into the 7/64" pilot in the metal wedge
- Find your good fulcrum point and tap the right spot with a mallet

Turns out it only takes 1 drywall screw. I knocked a bit off the point of the screw so it will start grabbing right away. Here's two examples:




Hope it's clear. It's only taking me 2 minutes to pull out metal wedges.

ETA: the way the photos are posting is not exactly linear, but hopefully it's enough to get the idea across. Works a treat.

 

[Fmont]

I should add they're 1 1/4" fine thread drywallI screws that have been working so well.

 

[Dusty One]

Great idea !!

 

[Square_peg]

Looks good. Thanks.

 

[muleman77]

Looks like a good way to do it

 

[Yankee Josh]

Is the first one pictured a C Hammond phila hatchet?

 

[Fmont]

Yessir. It's cool, needs some work though.

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Love it, thanks!

 

[Fmont]

Thanks! I'm sure I'm reinventing the wheel. But seems like a good trick for the bag.

 

[Yankee Josh]

I do the exact same thing for removing the wood wedges. It hadn't occurred to me to do that to remove a step wedge though. I just tap them back n forth with a flat head screwdriver and they back out after a little effort. It's a great suggestion though and there's a couple times i can think of where i wish I'd thought of doing that.

 

[Fmont]

Yeah that bottom axe, the metal wedge was sunk 1/4"+ below the eye. This was really helpful in zipping it out vs a real pain lol

 

[Miller '72]

Not sure about easy...but this one went smoothly. Though always unpredictable, this one looked like it would be straight forward.
After all it only had FOUR metal step wedges. No nails, screws, screwdriver tips...
29" handle
3lb. Head
Very rubbed out stamping.

Now...
Connie or Dayton?

My first impression was Dayton...more I handle it, could be a worn connie.
Are they not ALL just worn connies?

 

[Curt Hal]

Looks Dayton to me.

 

[Agent_H]

Now...
Connie or Dayton?

My first impression was Dayton...more I handle it, could be a worn connie.
Are they not ALL just worn connies?

Some guys get all the luck - both the Conndáyticut and the Daytónndicut patterns are hens' teeth around here!

I like what you did with the screw. That would push those steel wedges apart to wiggle them out? Or maybe grab the screw with a hammer and leverage one almost out?

*Any ideas of markings?

 

[Miller '72]

Some guys get all the luck - both the Conndáyticut and the Daytónndicut patterns are hens' teeth around here!

I like what you did with the screw. That would push those steel wedges apart to wiggle them out? Or maybe grab the screw with a hammer and leverage one almost out?

*Any ideas of markings?

I know right...regional 1st world axe problem

The slightly oversized wood screw does a little of both...and when the wood wedge gods are watching minimal damage occurs like this one.
Boy once they start throwing screws in that have been hammered on...all bets are off trying to maintain any integrity to the top 1/4" of the tongue

No luck on stamp recognition yet, guesses and hunches only.
I have been bouncing between Kelly and Rogers but not wanting to limit with so many possibles.
I still have to get to cleaning and I hope there is a weight stamp under the pole at the shoulder just to provide another lead and add to the confusion.

I love the handle on this axe. This handle is very similar to a Legitimus that came to me hafted and in similar condition and weather.

I hope to hit it soon...get some answers or questions

 

[Miller '72]

Agent_H I am now more curious and more confused...ignorance truely is Bliss.

I was able to clean away quite a bit of the head and have now more questions and no answers.

My scale has the head at 3lbs.

I reveal a 3 1/4lb stamp center of the axe on the cheek...promising, a close weight.
I then reveal a 5 under the pole at the shoulder, hmmmm.
And of course the wholly and incredibly illegible name stamping.
I have not given up, however this one is tough

Loosely slipped back on the 29.5" handle it came to me on. Legitimus underneath for similar handle comparison, 28"

Does anyone else read, Transylvania 6-5000?

 

[Yankee Josh]

Old yank ???? Doesn't help that it's double stamped. That cleaned up really nice!

 

[Miller '72]

Old yank ???? Doesn't help that it's double stamped. That cleaned up really nice!

That's better than my guess by far.
I was wondering...dbl stamped or is it the font, almost block letter? That would be crazy though.

It cleaned up fairly well thanks, a little more detail work but it's a great looking axe and has a good feel and weight.

 

[Yankee Josh]

This is amazing... i found a another double stamped one in the forums! Thr weight stamp is on the cheek too!
Can't figure out how to link so copy and paste this to the search bar. That's a really great score man! I bet the 5 was the year 195?.
Info on this NE Old Yank

 

[Miller '72]

This is amazing... i found a another double stamped one in the forums! Thr weight stamp is on the cheek too! View attachment 1093587
Can't figure out how to link to copy and paste this to the search bar. That's a really great score man! I bet the 5 was the year 195?.
Info on this NE Old Yank

Wow YankeeJosh! Finding that is almost your namesake
Thank you!!
Great work man!!