Transforming an Old Circular Saw into an Ax

Quick Overview

The creator successfully transforms an old, large circular saw blade into a custom, heavy-duty axe head by carefully cutting away material using an angle grinder, shaping the blade, grinding the edge, and finally fitting it onto a custom-made wooden handle secured with two bolts.

Key Points: The project begins by using an angle grinder to cut the circular saw blade into a rough, axe-like shape, leaving the original teeth on the unused portion of the blade (0:00-0:15). The excess material is removed by grinding along a drawn outline on the blade, shaping the head with a distinct, curved cutting edge and a prominent spike/hook feature on the back (0:15-0:45). The craftsman finishes shaping the axe head by grinding down the remaining teeth on the unused section of the blade to create a smoother, more traditional axe profile (0:45-1:30). A wooden handle is shaped to fit the eye (center hole) of the newly formed axe head, involving careful carving and fitting to ensure a snug connection (7:00-7:18). Two holes are drilled through the wooden handle where it meets the metal head, and bolts are inserted and tightened to secure the axe head firmly to the handle (7:18-7:32). The finished product is shown resting on a wooden block against a brick wall, displaying the unique, repurposed axe made from the saw blade (7:45-8:01).

Context: This video documents a DIY metalworking project where a craftsman repurposes a large, discarded circular saw blade into a functional, custom-designed axe head. The process involves aggressive cutting and grinding of the metal blade to achieve the desired shape, followed by the careful construction and attachment of a wooden handle to create a finished tool.

Detailed Analysis

The video details the process of upcycling a large circular saw blade into a custom axe head. The process starts with securing the large metal disc, which is marked with blue chalk to outline the desired shape. The creator uses an angle grinder equipped with a cutting disc to meticulously cut along these lines, removing the bulk of the unwanted metal, including the original saw teeth from the intended axe portion (0:00-0:45). After the initial rough cut, the craftsman continues to grind the edges, refining the curve of the cutting edge and shaping the back spike/hook feature (0:45-1:30). The remaining serrated edge is then ground down to create a more conventional axe profile while maintaining the unique shape. Once the axe head is fully shaped and smoothed, the focus shifts to the handle. A piece of wood is carved to match the eye of the axe head, ensuring a tight fit for secure mounting (7:00-7:18). After test-fitting, the craftsman drills two holes through the wooden handle where it interfaces with the metal head. Bolts are then inserted through these holes and fastened, effectively wedging and securing the axe head to the handle (7:18-7:32). The video concludes by showcasing the finished, unique axe, which features a distinctive, curved cutting edge and a spiked poll, resting on a wooden stump against a brick background (7:45-8:01).