Cheap Amazon Axe Modification w/ real SCORPION🦂 in Epoxy Resin

this week I'm trying something a bit different I've been wanting to make some sort of weapon I've been wanting to cast an insect in resin and the scorpion hatchet was the results check it out I wanted to see if I could take a cheap unremarkable hatchet I got on Amazon for like 20 bucks and completely transform it the first thing I had to do was get the head off the handle I wanted to use the handle as a template for the new handle so I made sure not to completely destroy it the head was held on with this ferrule so I drilled around it until I could pop it out after that I was able to hammer on the head until it popped off and for as cheap as this hatchet was the head was very well secured I got this walnut slab off cut for my friends over at vintage reclaimed lumber here in Oklahoma City and again this is another piece of wood that could have been doomed for the fire pit but was perfect for my purposes I marked out this middle section for the handle and cut the slab apart on the bandsaw and here you can see just how brittle and punky the slab was I'm using this torch to burn the ends to provide some contrast and detail for when I cast the resin later to stabilize this piece and the punky section at the bottom I'm using total boats two to one penetrating epoxy this is my first time to use this epoxy and I was really surprised how easy it was to brush on and how quick it soaks in I'll leave a link for it and the other products I use down below to get started on the ax head I threw it in my vise and used an angle grinder with a flat base to clean off all the paint [Music] to add the spike I'm using a steel stake I got at Home Depot in the concrete section I believe these are used to stake in concrete forms and you can pick them up for super cheap after cutting off the end I added a chamfer to the bottom to get a better weld when I connect it to the axe in addition to attaching the spike I use the weld beads to build up material that I can blend into the axe head I also filled in the nail puller on the side of the axe head to shape the axe I went back and forth between adding weld beads and then blending those weld beads into the head until I created the shape that I thought looked good [Music] [Music] while I'm building the form let's take a minute to talk about this video sponsor audible audible has the largest selection of audiobooks in the planet and now with audible originals the selection has got even more custom with content made for members every month audible members get one credit good for any audiobook you choose to automatically original's our exclusive audio titles created by celebrated storytellers from worlds as diverse as theater journalism literature and more listening makes us smarter more connected people it makes us better partners and parents and leaders and there's no better place to start listening than audible your books are yours to keep and with audible you can go back and relist in any time even if you cancel your membership didn't like your audiobook just exchange it no questions asked just visit audible.com slash Johnny builds or text Johnny builds to 500 500 I love listening to audiobooks while working in the shop and right now I'm listening to creativity ink this book is about the rise and success of Pixar but what I love is how it talks about our barriers to creativity and learning to be uncomfortable and how to foster a culture of creativity to try a label for yourself visit audible.com slash Johnny build or text Johnny builds 2 500 500 to cast the Scorpion into the handle I'm using total boats two to one high-performance epoxy with the slow hardener and I made sure to mix up this batch thoroughly and for the first time I'm using a vacuum pot to D gas the epoxy and this is gonna help prevent bubbles that show up in my pores this resin casting took six pores overall and I tried to keep them at a quarter inch deep or a little less to prevent a runaway exothermic reaction I waited an hour and came back with the second pour now it was time to add the Scorpion and yes this is a real preserved scorpion that I got on Amazon I took it out of the alcohol and tried to pose it and dry it out the best I could I added the Scorpion to the form and poured the third layer of epoxy over it now as you can see I did get some bubbles from the Scorpion but I'm pretty sure this was due to any air that was trapped inside the bug itself after the final resin casting I could pull it from the mold and start shaping the handle again I'm using the original handle as a guide for placement but I decided to put a curve in the handle reminiscent of a fireman's axe next I took the blank over to the bandsaw to cut it out after the first two cuts I needed to reattach the side so I could cut the width of the handle and I did this with some hot glue [Music] next I cut down the handle where it attaches to the head before using a belt sander a rasp and a file to shape it further [Music] once that was done I could shape the rest of the handle [Music] [Music] I used a slow-speed grinder to sharpen the accent after that I used this buffing wheel to buff the entire ax head I also use some plastic polish to buff the resin and get it as clear as I possibly could for finish I went with this maker brand simple finish I attached the ax head to the handle and drove in this wedge before trimming off the excess once it dried while my sharpening skills are lacking I was able to get it sharp enough to shave hair I had a lot of fun making this piece and trying something completely different I know walnut isn't a typical choice for an axe handle but this thing feels sturdy and has handled all the abuse I've thrown at it so far I'd like to take a second to thank my patreon supporters Jenny and Davis bike city Woodworks 41:30 designs built by Steven Ethan Carter designs made by Laurent riche 17 designs and a special thanks to my top patron matt baer Iggy's and if you want to find out more about supporting this channel there's a link down below alright this project was a blast and a nice departure from what I normally do and I really hope you all enjoyed it thanks and I'll see you back here next time

Channel: Jonny Builds

Views: 11,979,430

Rating: 4.775085 out of 5

Keywords: axe modification, axe restoration, axe head modification, axe restoration and modification, epoxy, epoxyresin, resin casting, insect in resin, scorpion, resin art, pressure pot, epoxy resin, epoxy table, jonny builds, reclaimed wood, how to, total boat, vacuum chamber, axe handle, amazon, cheapest axe, hatchet, hatchet modification, hatchet restoration, cheap axe, battle axe, epoxy resin art, diy epoxy, resin, do it yourself, diy activities, amazon axe modification

Id: rZItwsKJ404

Length: 9min 32sec (572 seconds)

Published: Wed Apr 10 2019