The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Best way to paint an Axe?
We just recently sharpened all of our axes. The heads are somewhat rusty and all the old paint is coming off. What's the best way to paint them? I was thinking tape off around the blade and use a can of safety red Rust-Oleum spray paint.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Reigec on
-
last time we sharpened ours we used rust-oleum, it worked pretty good, but i guess it depends on the type of metal
-
Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
-
is the look what your after, or the rust issue? If it's a rust issue, sand down the rust until you catch the newer metal look and oil them. Painting them for show is a whole differant animal and your on your own there
-
Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
-
Finally a topic i feel pretty qualified to speak on!
The first step is to prep the metal. As 913 said, sanding the rust out is important. You can't just wire-brush it because according to an old bo'sun mate I knew in the Navy, that just "polishes" the rust. So sand the rusted areas down to bare metal. Paint salesmen will tell you that you need to prime it first, but for a working tool, I'd skip the primer.
Then tape off the section you want painted, lay it on a piece of cardboard in the driveway and open up the rattle-cans!
Good luck and send pics!
Reg
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
Here's a question: do you paint the entire ax head or do you leave an area from the edge back unpainted, and if so, why?
also, I feel that axes should be RED.
-
Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
-
Why paint the working end of the ax?
-
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
-
My point exactly! If you want it to be for show by all means. But if its a working tool then better to sand it down to bare metal, sharpen and oil it. Otherwise, use Rust inhibiting paint.
-
Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
-
How did you sharpen them? A grinding wheel will screw up the tempering of the head and actually make the brittle. Make sure that they were sharpened correctly. We generally tape off the cutting end and only paint up to about one inch from there. We use Rust Oleum, works great.
-
Permalink Reply by Oldman on
-
An easy question to answer. Look in the IFSTA Essentials under Forcible Entry.
CUTTING EDGES
• Inspect the cutting edge for nicks, tears, or
metal spurs.
• Replace cutting edges when required.
• File the cutting edges by hand; grinding
weakens the tool (Figure 8.21).
UNPROTECTED METAL SURFACES
• Keep free of rust.
• Oil the metal surface lightly. Light machine oil works best. Avoid using any metal protectant that contains 1-1-1-
trichloroethane. This chemical may cause the material of the handle to decompose.
• Avoid painting. Paint hides defects.
• Inspect the metal for spurs, burrs, or sharp edges, and file them off when found.
NOTE: DO NOT PAINT AXE HEADS! Painting hides faults in the metal. Paint also may cause
the cutting surface to stick and bind.
-
-
Hey Jack,
We leave about a 4" section from the blade back, unpainted. The paint will cause the blade to bind(proper term is to "gaul"), in a cut.
Reg
-
Permalink Reply by Joseph L. De Laura, jr. on
-
Remove all paint, sand down to shiny metal, add a coating of oil to prevent rusting. Periodic maintenance will keep the axe shiny and easy to inspect. Perform maintenance after every use. If the handle is wood, sand and varnish. The officer of the piece should keep tabs on the condition of all tools and appliances.
-
Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on
-
Well thank goodness we have a discussion like this to bring us back down to reality....next week....how to sand a pike pole!
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
