Tool Restorations

Angler · #1 10-06-2018, 02:04 PM

How's it going, everyone?

Are there any other guys and girls who enjoy watching tool restorations on YouTube? I certainly do, I like it much, so I decided to give it a try, why not?
I went ahead and bought this old file on the flea market, rusty and ugly, and turned it into a nice looking tool, which now could be used without any shame.

If you are curious to see this transformation, please check this link out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04I9KuCJwSI

Have you guys done any restorations yourself?

What do you think about this one?

I hope you gonna enjoy watching this as much as I enjoyed restoring it!

Cheers!

There are before and after shots to get you intrigued!

Thank you for looking!

Ken07AOVette · #2 10-06-2018, 02:38 PM

That is very cool!

I have a bunch of very old tools I got to do the same thing, planes, pipe wrenches, vises, etc but never did. Any interest in seeing them, for future projects?

Angler · #3 10-06-2018, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

That is very cool!

I have a bunch of very old tools I got to do the same thing, planes, pipe wrenches, vises, etc but never did. Any interest in seeing them, for future projects?

Thanks!

Yeah, sure! I'd take a look!
I PM you

owlhoot · #4 10-06-2018, 03:18 PM

I reconditioned a lot of old carpenter hand tools, Most were handed down from my Grandfathers,
Some sit on a shelf but I use a lot of them and I feel good doing it.

Angler · #5 10-06-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owlhoot

I reconditioned a lot of old carpenter hand tools, Most were handed down from my Grandfathers,
Some sit on a shelf but I use a lot of them and I feel good doing it.

Feels good, right? It's like bringing something back to life, giving it a second chance. I think I'm hooked now! LOL

CaberTosser · #6 10-06-2018, 03:23 PM

Looks like your end-grain butcher block is white oak and spalted maple?

Here's an old double-bit axe I restored, unfortunately I didn't snap a before picture that I recall. The handle had a major warp to it and it took a while to locate a handle for a double-bit axe, the one I got had to be trimmed back quite a bit to fit.

I softened some of the edges where the harder steel had been chipped on my 1" x 30" belt sander, they seemed like an injury waiting to happen.

In the first pic you can see the color change in the metal after the rust removal soak in Evapo-Rust, this is either where different steel was forge-welded for the cutting edge or perhaps is just from the quenching during heat-treatment. Its easily visible where the steel hardness changes because of the blemishes on it from a previous handle replacement job, when hammering the axe head off the handle the previous guy was hitting both the hardened steel and the softer steel; the harder steel chipped and the softer steel yielded & deformed. I posted this years ago and an eagle-eyed observer noted the more subtle stamping on the head between the factory "Berghaus Sweden" stamping in the centre and half-way to the point of color change that shows "AFS" which they guessed at being Alberta Forest Service. I think they're probably correct.

Angler · #7 10-06-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

Looks like your end-grain butcher block is white oak and spalted maple?
...........................................
...............
....

Good eye sir! Yes, that cutting board made from white oak and spalted maple, love that thing, built it last year in DIY shop.

Nice looking axe!
What are your thoughts on Evaporust? How long do you need to keep it in there? Seems like vinegar takes too much of time...

CaberTosser · #8 10-06-2018, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angler

Good eye sir! Yes, that cutting board made from white oak and spalted maple, love that thing, built it last year in DIY shop.

Nice looking axe!
What are your thoughts on Evaporust? How long do you need to keep it in there? Seems like vinegar takes too much of time...

Evapo-Rust works quite well and you can pour it back into the jug to use again until its chemically depleted. I suppose one could do that with vinegar as well but at $3.50 a jug the motivation isn't quite as strong. Of course I'll knock off loose rust with a wire brush or pressure washer as the case may be, best spot to get it seems to be the big jugs available at Princess Auto. Most items seem to be de-rusted overnight or 24 hours, perhaps only stubborn pits take any more. I do use vinegar too, lately I've been using Lemi-Shine dishwasher booster (powdered citric acid from lemon & lime sources, had a nice citrus smell).

6.5swedeforelk · #9 10-06-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angler

...What are your thoughts on Evaporust? How long do you need to keep it in there? Seems like vinegar takes too much of time...

Angler if you're into rusted metal restoration,
I would suggest that you throw together
an electrolytic cleaner.

Plastic pail, battery chger (10a min).
RR tie plate or 2ft rebar for anode.
Washing soda , or baking soda roasted at 275f
to remove the (bi)carbonate.
Add water, hook Pos to rod and Neg to item.

Ensure that the metals do not contact.

tirebob · #10 10-07-2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

That is very cool!

I have a bunch of very old tools I got to do the same thing, planes, pipe wrenches, vises, etc but never did. Any interest in seeing them, for future projects?

I don't as much restore as tune and use antique woodworking tools. I love handtool only woodworking, joinery etc...

If you have anything you are looking to sell, message me. I am always interested. I don't flip. Just a user and collector.

Angler · #11 10-08-2018, 01:12 AM

Good Job on that vise! Looks cool!

amosfella · #12 10-08-2018, 09:49 AM

I've cleaned up a few over the years. For those of you with rust problems, and little patience, a norton rapid strip disk on an angle grinder works quite well to take the rust off without damaging the steel underneath...

Angler · #13 10-23-2018, 10:21 PM

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen!

I just got done my second tool restoration. This time I did pipe wrench Stillson No14, which I bought of Ebay.
To remove the rust I used electrolysis this time and let me tell you this method is quick as a lightning, also it so interesting to watch the process.
I got it rust free in one hour!

You can check the whole video of this restoration if you follow this link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Xv2cYpt-Y

Also before and after pics for you!

Thanks for watching!

Slowhand · #14 11-04-2018, 10:18 PM

Angler; you have done a fine job & thanks for the link to the pipe wrench video. It gives easy to follow instructions for electrolysis

Angler · #15 11-06-2018, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowhand

Angler; you have done a fine job & thanks for the link to the pipe wrench video. It gives easy to follow instructions for electrolysis

You are welcome! Turns out it is pretty safe and easy method, I love it! This going to be my only go to remove the rust on all of my future projects!

Angler · #16 11-15-2018, 01:36 PM

Howdy Fellas!

Here is my next restoration, this time I tried myself at restoring an electric drill, old Black&Decker. This was quite challenging with a lot of processes involved.

Take a look yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmsJDjumBPI

And some before and after pics

Thanks for looking!

Have a great day!

KinAlberta · #17 11-19-2018, 09:48 PM

Bit of a coincidence, maybe.

Just last week I sent this great video (great in terms of the transformation) around to a bunch of my friends, and then tonight scrolled down the forum to find this thread.

Deadlocked vice

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U2jNeObHnZY

Angler · #18 12-11-2018, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KinAlberta

Bit of a coincidence, maybe.

Just last week I sent this great video (great in terms of the transformation) around to a bunch of my friends, and then tonight scrolled down the forum to find this thread.

Deadlocked vice

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U2jNeObHnZY

Yeah, that is one awesome restoration! The end result is just incredible!

Stormc1oak · #19 11-05-2018, 07:14 PM

cool

PJparker · #20 04-27-2020, 04:36 AM

I like your result!

graybeard · #21 11-20-2018, 07:46 AM

This is a cool thread....

I recently took an old and very rusted set of the wife's, Henry Boker, pruning shears and I submerged them in a tray of vinegar.

It took 5+ days before I removed them.

With a hand wire bush and my brass wheel brush, it came up very nice.

I won't hesitate to try it again; if I was in a hurry, I may try a different fluid (Evapo-Rust) this time?

Vinegar is $3 per jug versus $19 for the industrial strength one.

KinAlberta · #22 11-20-2018, 09:01 AM

I read up on vinegar as a weed killer. The regular household stuff is only about 5% acetic acid. The weed killer concentration is more like 15%.

However I believe any concentration around 10% and beyond starts to require protective goggles etc. as it is acetic ACID. So the 95% diluted household stuff were used to spilling about, is NOT the same as the industrial stuff.

Angler · #23 12-09-2018, 09:09 PM

Good evening everybody!

I have been working for a while on this restoration of an old Axe, since there were no power tools involved in this project.

I cleaned the rust with Electrolysis again, as I think there is no quicker and better way to fight the rust for the price of 2 spoons o baking soda!

Here is the link to the video, please enjoy!

https://youtu.be/D2G41dYEijE

After sanding I etched the axe head in the hot vinegar to give a nice dark grey patina, almost looks like Tungsten!

Here is some picks for you as well!

Before

After Electrolysis and Wire Brush

Grinded with Files

Sanded with 400 Grit

Etched with Hot Vinegar

Thanks or watching!

Have a great day!