----- Original Message -----
From: "John T. Jarrett"
Subject: [IBC] Removing Tool Rust?


I just found a tub of tools I thought I had put in the garage before
winter
came.
Any good soaks for getting the rust outta them creases and seams where
grinders and sandpaper don't reach?
I used a half vinegar - half water tub to clean up a cast iron pot that
had
spent ten years in a garage, but that still took hours of wire brushing
and
these tools are just too small for that.
John T. Jarrett


John,
OK, I've read enough coca-cola, beer and vinegar suggestions that I figured
I'd respond.
Rust is VERY HARD to REMOVE COMPLETELY and will return if not done. Before
I dove into a lot of work I'd ask myself...are these $3 Chinese tools or
good $25-40 Japanese hand-fitted quality steel? If they are $3
chinese...well, what is your time worth?
My suggestion is to use a naval jelly on them to truly remove the rust.
Multiple applications probably needed. If that works you'll want to
re-color them again. You can use a cold gun blue to do this fairly nicely
That's not how the Japanese do it, but it looks pretty nice) You can get
cold gun blue at any big gun store/sports store. roughly about $6 for a 4oz
bottle. All you'd need. One helpful hint, it works better if steel is
"warm" and not cold. Years of experience tell me that if I warmed it in the
oven when it is a temp that I can "just handle" it is right. Use cotton
balls to swab it on, two or three "coats". Resharpen blades when done. BTW,
this touches up worn black finishes nice on good tools.
Re; Dave B's recommendation. I've certainly never tried shaking tools a few
moments on a bunch of Haydite fines, but, it has some merit , although "
a few minutes" doesn't sound right. I'd think you need something more
mechanized for a fair period of time. If very valuable tools you might seek
out someone who reloads bullets. They tumble brass casings in walnut shell
fines , etc to a polish. This would work on tools if someone would do it for
you. Again, you could ask about it at a gun dealer. They may know someone
who will accomodate you..
If this is the route you go you will find that they will be seriously
dulled and need sharpening correctly. And, it's fairly easy to re-tighten
the hinges yourself.
You will now get "Rock polisher" posts, :) forget that.

All in all, my suggestion, Use naval jelly w/ steel wool & brass brush ( not
power tool brushing)and then after wahing/degreasing use "Cold gun blue" on
them. BTW, "Cold" meaning it's not done in a hot tank/salts mixture as in
manufacturing. This is certainly not as durable as the several ways to
"blue" ( or blacken) steel tools/cutters/guns but it is easy, kinda fun, and
looks nice.
I use this one jin knives and it looks good. A friend who makes his own
jin tools ala blacksmithing uses oil in one of the final processes to color
nicely but don't heat up your hand tools enough to try that.In short...
Thats more complicated than it sounds.
Just some thought.
Regards,
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware

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