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.

CaberTosser · #5 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 · #6 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

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.

bloopbloob · #10 10-06-2018, 10:11 PM

I am a QC, I work with metals all day long, NACE certified. There are a few simple (but multi-step) chemical processes we use to clean and treat steel before powder coating, and also how to clean stainless steels for a final passivation. Willing to share some tips if anyone wants. Products used are patent protected, but could possibly lead you in the right direction.... I can say a light iron phosphate coating (uM) will do wonders to mild steel for paint longevity, as well as rinsing with reverse osmosis water. If anyone is serious about restoring old metal properly, feel free to PM me, or in this post.

Angler · #11 10-07-2018, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

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).

To Princess Auto I go than!
Vinegar seems to be working pretty good and it's cheap, but takes time, I've been holding that file for the 5 days in it. So on my next project I might try Evaporust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6.5swedeforelk

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.

Yeah, I've seen this technique before, it got my attention, so I gonna have to give it a try as well. I also heard that it would work with low current too, like 1 amp only. I gonna try it with a modem power supply on something small.

CaberTosser · #12 10-07-2018, 12:35 AM

On the vinegar end, you may or may not know about pickling vinegar, its got a higher percentage of acetic acid than standard vinegar, typically 7% versus 5%. That sounds like its only 2% stronger, but its really 40% stronger when you do the math.

Angler · #13 10-07-2018, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

On the vinegar end, you may or may not know about pickling vinegar, its got a higher percentage of acetic acid than standard vinegar, typically 7% versus 5%. That sounds like its only 2% stronger, but its really 40% stronger when you do the math.

I was using a 10% vinegar, the strongest I could find.

So that would 200% stronger

buckbrush · #14 10-07-2018, 07:33 PM

Cool post.

I've never really restored any tools but I have some old ones. I sometimes look at old tools or my big anvil (1906 I believe). It really makes me wonder who bought it new or in the case of some really old hand forged tools I have, who made it and what was their story.

Thanks for sharing.

Beeman · #15 10-07-2018, 08:01 PM

If you can find some oxalic acid try it. I tried it on some old license plates and oil cans and it takes the rust and leaves the paint alone. I even tossed in an old crescent wrench that had been lost then found a couple years later and it freed it up like new again.

pavilion · #16 10-07-2018, 08:45 PM

I recently restored a big old 8 inch vise over the last week or so, not sure if the pics will work it's been a long time since I have attempted to upload any

https://imgur.com/TM6D2DJ
https://imgur.com/EiJ8u1J
https://imgur.com/Cwc4Far
https://imgur.com/Bwnhpp1
https://imgur.com/LvXPaOM

pavilion · #17 10-07-2018, 08:57 PM

Guess I should have read the destructions first.....now that's better

tirebob · #18 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 · #19 10-08-2018, 01:12 AM

Good Job on that vise! Looks cool!

amosfella · #20 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 · #21 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!

grouse_hunter · #22 10-24-2018, 05:32 AM

Great video! Quite the difference between the starting point and the finished product.

slopeshunter · #23 10-24-2018, 08:46 AM

^Agreed. Looks great

Angler · #24 10-24-2018, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys! I am glad you like it!

Angler · #25 11-02-2018, 07:38 PM

Good evening people!

Sharing my latest restoration with you! This time German Scissors

Please check out the video here
https://youtu.be/KqHN9SUbqkw

And before and after pic of course!

Tell me what you think!
Thanks for watching!