Electrolysis Rocks!

[durango dude]

No no --- not hair removal ---- rust removal!

I picked up some old Millers Falls hand planes last week ------ old and rusty ---- but I thought I'd give it a try.

I secured a 5 gallon bucket, an old piece of rebar, a battery charger, a wire brush, and some washing soda. (get specific instructions elsewhere - you can screw things up if you do it the wrong way). I followed a method I found on a reliable web site.

Holy smokes - the old rusty hand planes came out looking fantastic (photos next week). I can now read the original Millers Falls stamps on the blades! (was covered with rust when I started). Kind of wish I'd taken some "before" photos.

Once I got them cleaned up, I oiled the appropriate parts, sharpened the blades, put them back together - and started planing ----- OMG, they're BEAUTIFUL!

I'm afraid that I'm headed really quick for the dark side of hand tools!

BTW --- don't waste money on the Ryobi buffer system sold at HD....... It shreds almost immediately. The rouge worked fine with a different buffer wheel.

[Skaning]

Yep, it is definitely a fairly gentle, if slow, way to remove accumulated rust and crud from iron and steel. Pits will stay, but you will get to bare metal. I did some 80 year old tractor parts recently. After an overnight treatment, next morning a good scrub under running water with a scotchbrite and I was amazes, Like you I found the stamped part numbers still readable even on wear surfaces.

[cabinetman]

Electrolysis does work if you like playing Mr. Wizzard. I've had some good luck with Ospho. Easy to use.

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[phrog]

I followed a method I found on a reliable web site.

Hey Dude, would you mind putting up the link. I had a good link for this but somehow, lost it. I may be doing this soon and would like to refresh my memory. Looking forward to your pics.

[durango dude]

Here's my links:

http://www.wwgoa.com/articles/one-gr...-electrolysis/


http://video.wwgoa.com/videos/000311...-electrolysis/

I had amazing results with just 2 hours of soaking!

[Pappy]

I had a tutorial set up on webshots until they went away as we knew them.

[cwsmith]

I had some old wood auger bits that I had neglected. I was really upset when I discovered that I had missed coating them with oil. After almost two decades stored in a damp basement, they were in some serious need of de-rusting.

I was only slightly familiar with the process, but with a 5-gal bucket and my battery charger they came out remarkably nice after a couple of days. Followed by some WD-40 and steel wool there was no pitting. I now keep them well oiled and in a carefully monitored shop.

CWS

[phrog]

Thanks for the links, Dude. Sorry I missed yours, Pappy.

[thestinker]

I've got some old axe heads I need to try this with. I'll try to post some pics when I get done.

[herb fellows]

I was looking at that Ospho link. It sounds like the stuff they sell at Harbor Freight, Evaporust.

I've used it, it does seem to get rid of the rust, but you are left with a black tool which I didn't care for.

Maybe it's time to play 'Mr Wizard'.

[Pappy]

I have used Ospho on bolts for auto use. Drop them in a plastic jar of the stuff for a few minutues and then pour the Ospho through a strainer. Leave the bolts derusted with a nice black color after they dry.

[Skaning]

Actually, Ospho after electrolysis is a pretty good approach. You wind up with a pretty chemically active surface after electrolysis and it won't take long for a thin oxide patina to form. Not something you want to primecoat over. The Ospho puts a layer of Iron phosphate over every thing (it; essentially phosphoric acid). Stops Iron Oxide formation and allows you to store parts until you are ready to start applying a prime coat . In my case, I'm working om a tractor. Lot's if small parts to clean and prep before reassembly.