Almost that time of the decade to pull the aerial mast down and fix aerials, but the tree it's strapped ta has branches that need cleaning off.
My trusty old machete that I us to do that with has been out of action for three years or so after the plastic handle and part of the rear tang snapped off.
![[Image: machete_maker_01.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_01.jpg)
Poor old thing - it's been out in the weather long enough.
![[Image: machete_maker_02.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_02.jpg)
Wire wheel the rust off.
Top edge used to take beatings with a hammer to help split logs
for the radio shed fire pit. Fire wood chopper Noddy knows
this old machete well.
I was thinking of making a proper handle using corby bolts
and hard wood, but we don't have any hard wood around here.
So, next best thing - cord wrap - trouble is I've never wrapped before
so I went and did a google for "full tang cord wrap"..
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-Wrap/
![[Image: machete_maker_05.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_05.jpg)
I forgot to take some extra shots before I finished the wrap.
Basically all that was done before the wrap was...
1. rust removal with a wire wheel
2. ground out the worst dings and changed the overall profile a bit.
3. drilled a hole in the rear for the cord
![[Image: machete_maker_03.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_03.jpg)
The wrap technique was easy as pie. Having a hole at the end is a big plus
as it helps stop the wrap sliding down while in use.
The original handle hole that broke, is now a bottle opener.
![[Image: machete_maker_04.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_04.jpg)
Easy to remove the wrap. Just undo two knots.
![[Image: machete_maker_06.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/machete_maker/machete_maker_06.jpg)
That used patina look with bacon fat rubbed in.
Sure, there's nothing new about cord wrapping or machetes.
This project was about making something useless, useful again.
Poor old tree is going to cop it tomorrow.
:russell:
My trusty old machete that I us to do that with has been out of action for three years or so after the plastic handle and part of the rear tang snapped off.
Poor old thing - it's been out in the weather long enough.
Wire wheel the rust off.
Top edge used to take beatings with a hammer to help split logs
for the radio shed fire pit. Fire wood chopper Noddy knows
this old machete well.
I was thinking of making a proper handle using corby bolts
and hard wood, but we don't have any hard wood around here.
So, next best thing - cord wrap - trouble is I've never wrapped before
so I went and did a google for "full tang cord wrap"..
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-Wrap/
I forgot to take some extra shots before I finished the wrap.
Basically all that was done before the wrap was...
1. rust removal with a wire wheel
2. ground out the worst dings and changed the overall profile a bit.
3. drilled a hole in the rear for the cord
The wrap technique was easy as pie. Having a hole at the end is a big plus
as it helps stop the wrap sliding down while in use.
The original handle hole that broke, is now a bottle opener.
Easy to remove the wrap. Just undo two knots.
That used patina look with bacon fat rubbed in.
Sure, there's nothing new about cord wrapping or machetes.
This project was about making something useless, useful again.
Poor old tree is going to cop it tomorrow.
:russell:
even:
