Riggin Axe

K2

Anyone frame with a Rig Axe anymore? I never saw them in the east but in the western states every framer had one on the 70's and into the 80's. I don't see them around much anymore.

MALCO.New.York

See the "American hammers in UK" Thread.

http://www.contractortalk.com/showth...erican+Hammers

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KentWhitten

I can still get mine at HD. Go figure. One of the first "hammers" I used and never tried anything else. Just real comfortable to me. 29 oz. feels like 22. When I lived in Seattle, not many were still using it. New England, no one yet I've seen.

Everyone says the same thing. "I'd hate to hit myself with that blade" Well, I'd hate to hit myself with ANY hammer.

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If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

K2

I'll have to see if they have any at the depot here, I don't recall seeing them... Always the wooden handles... Craftsman was a popular one here because of the warantees but the hardcore framers used the Vaughn. ... I still can find them at garage sales and am waiting for them to become collector items.

MALCO.New.York

That is where Framer gets His Vaughns.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

K2

Doesn't mean every Home Depot carries them. I'm sure I could find a Lally column at HD in NJ but I won't find one out here. Or a flitch plate.

MALCO.New.York

I do know.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

K2

So, no other rigging axes out there? I guess nail guns eliminated the need to drive a 16 with one smack.

KentWhitten

Well, the two that I've used are the Vaughan and the Plumb. Never liked the Plumb that much. Haven't seen any others. You thinking of getting one are you?

You always have to have a hammer. I don't use the hammer much anymore either way. It's more for beating things in line, tightening things up a bit, etc.

That's my justification for not getting a titanium. It doesn't make sense to me to spend that kind of money on something that doesn't have the mass to it.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

K2

I think the Craftsman was made by Plumb .I don't know what Sears would give you if you brought in a broken Rig ax now. But, no I'm not thinking of buying one. I have a collection of them that I have no intention of using either. I was just thinking of tools we didn't have and tools we did have back then. I had to cut compound miters with a Rig Ax.

KentWhitten

LOL, wow, we used chainsaws! c'mon man! that's rough!

I know, I've got a few dozen around here also with no mill face anymore. Saving them for who knows why.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Andy B

Hi All, first post for me.

I have been using an Estwing E3-R for a while now here in Massachusetts. Great for stake out and a few other "adjustment" tasks but never for general framing.

I had to buy it on line as you can't find it in the tool stores. I am a dedicated Estwing carpenter for 25 years.

K2

Riggers axe. that's a new one to me. .... Welcome to the site.

Teetorbilt

I have one!! It was my Dads and I had no idea what it was for. Makes for a good camp axe. I may have another somewhere.

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Timuhler

I've thought about buying one and painting it gold. Then whoever is the biggest hack on the job gets the "Golden Framing Axe Award" until someone else makes a bigger mistake.

Thought about that years ago but haven't done it yet.

VitoFromNJ

I think it pre-dated the sawzall, as in clipping the horns off ceiling joists, and other stuff

K2

I remember clipping the horns off ceiling joist with a hatchet in North jersey. But that's not what a Rigging axe was used for. A Rig axe was used for driving a 16d with one wack all day long. However it always toodk me 2 wacks. ... I see it is on some required tool lists in California these days.

bigdog1980

Rigging Axes were first used by carpenters building oil dericks out of wood. After WW2, lots of guys went to California to frame houses. Most of them had a Rigging Ax. The main attraction was great balance. The Ax weighed 28oz or so but felt much lighter. I can sink 16d GVS nails all day long in three smooth swings. Then came OSHA, who prohibited the rigging ax use after some "accidents". Many Carpenters had a machine shop cut off the ax and weld on some straight claws from another hammer. Later companies like Hart, Dalluge, Stiletto and Vaughn start making California Framers we have today. I still have a 22 oz Plumb Victory Ax which is a joy to swing. Of course, a Hitachi nail gun beats the hell out of a rigging ax.