Just got some old tools in rough shape. Including knives, saws, wrenches, chisels, combo squares, rules,etc. Most have moderate to heavy rust, grit and grime. Sharpening I’ve been developing for years, let’s call that covered; an endless discussion by itself.
What I’m asking for are strong cleaning methods – with or without soap and or chemicals.
Thanks.
Be up in a bit hon; just down here scrubbing. You should see this one…!
Replies
Too general
Rust on handsaws?
Oxalic acid.
You really shouldn't let them get that way in the first place. After they get pitted it's a whole lotta work with marginal returns.
Good luck.
And I realize you didn't get them in the bad shape. I've got several boxes of old bought at sales years ago stuff. One day I'll get to cleaning............
I've resorted to power wire brush and belt sander to get some of them back close-best of luck I've had are with old planes. The surface rust isn't pitted like a hand saw easily gets. I've been pleased to have resurected some pretty bad looking junk. Naval jelly, every solvent in the shop, sandpaper, steel wool, stripper, scraper, grinder................
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Edited 12/3/2008 2:23 pm ET by calvin
http://www.saltmine.org.uk/pdfs/rrue.pdf
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm#intro
I just got done cleaning some handsaws. The Electrolysis does work but takes time. I did one sawblade for about 16 hours and it still wasn't done yet. This saw wasn't all that bad either. If you have some space outdoors where you feel safe leaving it setup and running for awhile, than by all means try it. I had to take mine apart at night and clean the blade. It was too much to do and i could only do it on the weekends. I used naval jelly on the rest of my blades and it worked great and was faster. I really glopped it on the blade, thick. I let it sit 15 minutes and used a scoth brite to scrub it offf, i the sanded them with 80,150 220 and finally scotch brite. I finshed them by polishing with Butchers bowling alley wax. Another thing to have in your cleaning arsenal is Super Clean,comes in a purple bottle at walmart, this stuff is great. It takes off alot of stuff,including finishes on wood surfaces so be careful. This is a great degreaser also. I sprayed the saw handles with it to strip off the finish, then all i had to do was sand and finish. Wire brushes on a Dremel are great too, for the nooks and crannies.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/