Cleaning Cast iron

[Cynric Williams]

My wife and I went to an antiques shop today and I came away with a few nice old hand tools, a couple of Record planes and some nice chisels. I'll need to do some sharpening and general cleaning but otherwise they are good condition no chips in the blades.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how best to clean the cast iron?

 

[Dave Rudy]

I have found these to be amazing for light rust. 
http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=104799

For heavier rust, first work through the grits with WD40 or mineral spirits.

HTH

Dave

 

[Cynric Williams]

I have found these to be amazing for light rust. 
http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=104799

Thanks Dave I'll try and see if I can get them in the UK (tried a quick search and got wonder bras  ) otherwise I guess it's working through grades of abrasive paper

 

[Stu in Tokyo]

Hi Cynric!

Nice find, those look like they will be good working planes for sure.

You could use electrolysis, I did this recently on an old drill press I bought in rather banged up shape, brought it back to life. The electrolysis is easy to do, and it REALLY removes the old rust, and it will loosen any old paint and grim too.

Basically you need a plastic tub, water, baking, or washing soda, a sacrificial piece of steel and a DC power supply. A good car battery charger works for this, or I used an old computer power supply.

You mix the soda into the water (heat up a cup or so of water to make the soda dissolve easier). I think it is 4 tablespoons to one gallon of water (Google "electrolysis old tools rust" and you will find a lot of info).

If you want I can go into more detail, but all I can say is BOY does it work!

The pic is of a part out of the tank, with just a bit of soft nylon brush work done, spiffy clean!

Cheers!

 

[Cynric Williams]

Thanks Stu
I may give that a go it sounds promising. I'm assuming we are talking 12V DC and nothing more!!!
I found a crack in the smaller plane, but it will still do for rough work, from my research they are 40 or 50 years old

 

[Stu in Tokyo]

Yes a 12DCV charger, like one for a car battery works great.

It is amazing how clean the parts come out, and if you use "Washing Soda" it will remove most anything, in 24 or so hours

Cheers!

 

[MarkF]

Here's a photo of my buddy evaporating rust.  He uses a few old lawnmower blades as electrodes and the mixing bowl helmet transmits the proper vibrations ;D

 

[mysterium]

Now that's funny!!!!

Great picture!!!

 

[Les]

Mark,

Thanks for the laugh!! ;D