I Turn $12 Harbor Freight Axe Into Viking Style Axe With Dragon Etch
Disclaimer...
I am NOT a professional. I am learning as I create these videos. If you see anything that I am doing wrong or plain stupid please feel free to let me know in the comment section of the video. I would be happy to learn as much as possible. Thanks you.
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This Is the my 1st attempt in altering an Axe. I bought a cheap Harbor Freight Axe to practice. This is also my first attempt at Etching using Electricity. I used a 12V battery charger. For the Resist I used automotive pin striping. I got it from the auto part store (Auto Zone). Also used Electrical tape. The Dragon was printed out on a Cricut Joy Machine. I used a 2 liter bottle of soda for the container. The liquid is salt water. I only let etch for about 10 minutes. Next time I will let it go for at least 30 minutes. I had the charger set to 12v 2amps.
I cut out the axe head with 6in cutting wheel for the angle grinder. Then I finished it with the belt grinders. The larger angles with the 4 by 30 and the smaller angles with the 1 by 30.
The handle is stained with dark walnut stain. I did four total coats before spraying it with a Polycrylic matte finish protective coating. All I did to give the handle the curves is exaggerate the curves already there.
I sanded the Axe head after the etching was complete with 150 grit sand paper and went all the way up to 3000 grit wet sand. Its definitely not perfect but I like the finish. I really would like to use Jax steel blackener on the next project. I am new to this kind of thing so if you have any advice please feel free to comment on the video or send me a message. Thanks for watching. If you like this video please Like and Subscribe. THANK YOU
Absolutely amazing 🤩👍🏽
You ‘ve raised the bar on this harbor freight build
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Absolutely gorgeous ! ! !
Thank you!
That's beautiful! Nice polish job
Thank you!
Awesome hand axe! Great video. Thank you!
Thank you too! I appreciate it.
Good Job. 👍🏻
Unreal! Love the video.
Thank you.
Stunning
Thank you! 😊
Incredible talent!
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Wow!!! Nice!
Lovely job 👍🇬🇧
Thank you.
That’s sharp, nice job.
Thank you.
I like your video transitions where the camera moves with the piece being worked. Very interesting, especially for this fast-forwarded montage style. Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much! I really do appreciate it.
Gorgeous. Darlington, South Carolina
Thank you.
Outstanding!
Thank you.
Great work and video!!!
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.
Super nice axe, loved the video editing.
Thank you.
This looks great!
Thank you
Very cool man!!
Thanks.
I just saw your VIDEO, you did an outstanding job.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
Fantastic
Thanks
😯 damn drew I want one of those that's cool af.
Thank you
Man that’s sick af Dude
Thank you
Subscribed for the dragon
Awesome! I love dragons.
@@drewdoesart9277 same!
Awesome!
Thanks!
Awesome
Thank you
Damn dude nice job! I’m slowly learning these things on my own too. Each new project is a learning opportunity and an excuse to buy a new tool 😉 don’t know anything about etching though. Thanks for sharing.
No problem. Thanks for watching.
Great work. I would love to see you make an athame. I could use one for my altar.
That would be cool!
Woah!!!!! Drew!! You put the show "How's it Made" to absolute shame! Hell Yeah Bro
Wow. Thank you. I love how it's made too.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with the internet.
No problem. Thanks for watching and the comment. It really helps a lot.
BEAUTIFUL WORK! Really smart techniques! I have a couple questions, and couple comments. Question 1. It looked like you used electrolysis to do the etching, is that correct? Question 2. It looked like you used some kind of red tape, can you tell me what it is exactly? Comment 1. Polycrylic was used to seal the handle, which is fine for show pieces, but does make for a slippery grip. If it will be actually used, a better option after sanding/staining is to coat with boiled linseed oil, which will protect the handle and make for a much better grip. Comment 2. This is more for folks watching who may try this themselves. The axe head is made of high carbon steel, and with the finish removed it can rust a lot! So, just remember to wipe a few drops of mineral oil on the metal every few months to keep it from rusting (baby oil works as well, it is just mineral oil with fragrance).
Thank you for the awesome comment. I really appreciate it a lot. A 1. Yes. I used a battery charger set at 12v 2amps. The liquid is saltwater. A 2.The red tape is Automotive pin striping. I used it because it sticks really well and it was already the width I wanted. I got it from Auto Zone. The brand name is "Prostripe". I will defiantly use the boiled linseed oil for the handles from now on. I will make sure to oil the steel as well. Thanks again for the advice. I really do appreciate it very much.
Excellent work! Nothing to add other than it's surprising you have so few subs.... Add one more.
Thanks, Im working on it. LOL
Great video and work. It is a pity that I did not sharpen the ax.
Thank you. You are right. I wish I did sharpen it in the video. Next time for sure. Thanks again.
Great work! I've been playing around with this and I was wondering how long you keep it electro etching. I don't seem to get as deep edges. Once again awesome work!
I like to keep it in for about 30 minutes. I usually do 20 to 25 minutes, then take it out and dab and rinse with cold water. Then put it back in for another 10 minutes. If you're not getting a deep enough etch then add more salt to the water. If it's still not deep enough, then turn up the amps. I have refined how I do it since that video. I set my amps pretty high. the meter reads about 5 to 7 amps. If you can't get the amps that high, then leave it in longer. maybe an hour. Or change out the saltwater with a new clean mix, and start over. How many amps does your charger allow? What is your salt to water ratio?
Hey mate awesome work! I wanted to ask what was the material you used to trace the dragon thinking of doing some etching on my throwing axes.
The dragon was cut out using a "Cricut Joy" machine. I just used clip art from google images.
its very pretty! reliability durability integrity have all been removed. But hey its real pretty
Thanks, that's what I was going for. I appreciate it
Very cool, I’ll try it, but I’m not sure I can safely chemical etch. Maybe jus polish it super shiny. Thanks!
Its not dangerous. You can use 2 9v battery if you want.
Outstanding craftsmanship, Question, I saw you said you used a machine to make the dragon, what is the film/material you used for the dragon and where can I get that at?
I used a "Cricut Joy". It cuts out the shape for you on vinyl. Thank you!
12 buck ax, now a 100 dollar ax, nice work
Thank you so much. I really appreciate That.
Questions... What mix/ratio salt to water and what polarity did you run it? (positive or negative to axe). I've been making knives from scrap and would love to try this! You did an incredible job!!!
About 1/2 Cup Salt per 1/2 Gallon of water. Positive hooks up to the metal that your etching. The Negative hooks up the the rod submerged into the saltwater. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it.
Yo how much to buy that same hatchet from you?
I approve. Good work. 👍 Greetings from Scandinavia. Heill auk Sæll!
Thank you.
How much to make me one? lets pick a design and cost!
If you make the seat even narrower, then the ax will be even much stronger. The head will never break the handle. Info 100%
Thank you. I am going to do another axe soon. That will help.
Man if there is any possible way I could get this thing off of you I would love to do so. The Dragon you used is the same dragon that I’ve built my Sleeve tattoo and it would look amazing if I could hold that thing.
Sorry I already gave it away. Lol That's awesome tho. Ill bet that's a badass tattoo.
Holy cow you know I'm doing this
Thats awesome. Thank you.
Looks good would have liked to see a different edge profile but it’s obvious this is a wall hanger
Yeah your right. Thank you.
That’s some sick editing and camera movement. Killer
Thank you.
👍
Wow
Thanks
All that work went into a beautiful blunt axe. Looks great, wont cut through anything at all...
Yeah I wish I sharpened it. lol I defiantly will next time. Thank you for the comment. I really do appreciate it.
Drew awesome work! Question for you... are the decals you use premade or do you make them yourself? I would like to try this myself but I am not artistic. Thank you for sharing. I have subscribed so I can learn more.
you could definitely get pre made decals online. print them off and cut them out with an exacto knife, or use a cricut printer.
Cricket cutter has all kinds of images.
You can find anything in google images. I used a Cricut Joy machine to cut the dragon out. The Exacto knife is way too hard to get right. But is possible.
Thank you for the information. I know someone with a cricut. I will look into that.
Hey what process did you use in the etching.
I used salt water and a 12v Battery Charger. I set the Charger to 12v 2amp
How much did the head weight after you cut it?
Honestly I didn't think to check. I already gave it away. Sorry about that. I will defiantly check next time I do one. Thanks for the comment.
Quick question on getting that handle off... Was the wedge originally that circle wedge and how did you get it out without damaging the top end of the handle?
I screwed some screws into the wooden wedge. I also made sure the screw was touching the circle metal wedge. Then I clamped on the screw with vice grips and hammered on the vice grips to rip the crew out. After that I was able to grip onto the metal wedge and hammer that out. Once I had the metal wedged out, I screwed the screws back into the wooden wedge making sure not to screw into the handle. Clamp the vice grips on the screw and hammer it out. I hope that helps. Thank you
5 centuries from now some archaeologists will be very confused.
Cuz the Dragon?
Wranglerstar brought me here.
Thats awesome! Thank you
It looks nice but you put your metal wedges in your handle wrong. They should go in diagonally to the wood wedge
Im glad you said that. I am working on finishing up another Axe now. I'll make sure to do that this time. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
@@drewdoesart9277 should be two wedges either perpendicular of just slightly diagonal to the wood wedge spaced about a half inch apart
this has 8k views? I was expecting a million+
Thank you. Hopefully one day. lol
Hey can you do kratos axe from god of war please !!!
I don't think I am talented enough for that. But I will try as soon as I get some more practice in. Thank you for the idea tho. I will look into it for sure.
👍👍🪓💪
Cool alteration until you put a tribal dragon etching in the steel
whats wrong with that? it was cool. Thumbs down since KZhead hides it.
What would you rather see? Instead of a dragon?
Im open to new other ideas.
Cheap hatchet made into a useless one.
Yes, you are right. It is useless, as a hatchet. It was made to be a display piece. A wall hanger. LOL Thank you for the comment.
The red tape you use...what is it?
its auto motive pin striping. You can get it at Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, or any Auto Parts Store.