Grandpa's Old tools

[Carverr]

Hello again fog members! I haven't been on much because of my business and the endless honey-do list with all this snow we still have. Good thing about that was I convinced the wife I needed 2 new Festool sanders for Her projects lol.
  I was at my Aunts fixing her Stairs and building a few cabinets and underneath found grandpa's secret tool stash. 12 old Stanley planes, 3 old Mohawk Shelbourbe Hand drills and various hand tool. All stamped Made In USA! [thumbs up].
  So my question is for the tool collectors what would be used to clean them up? I don't want to remove their age just the dirt and surface rust.
Some of these tools are from the 20's and 30's and a few of the hand planes I want to use on project. Below is a picture of a few things.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

WD-40 and steel wool works for me.

 

[Carverr]

Thank you for the response.  I thought about that for the metal but I'm not sure about the different wooden handles. These tools he used everyday and the finish has worn off on most. I don't want to restore as that takes away from the tools character I'm just looking for ideas on treating the wood so they can continue to be used for many more years.
  I haven't finished much wood I just build cabinets and built-ins but I'm starting to study and play more to improve on my craft.  Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[jacko9]

I agree with the WD40 and after you get them clean a little 3 in 1 oil.  Those pliers on the bottom right are great for removing Dominos stuck in place during your dry fit.

Jack

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

You asked about the metal, so I gave a response...for sentimental reasons, I didn't think that you wanted to do anything to the handles. I, personally, would sand them down and refinish them. You could also just clean them with mineral spirits and a rag, let dry, and then apply Brimwax. Hope this helps.

 

[Carverr]

Thanks again for the response. I know that the tools aren't the best but it's really neat to be able to use  something almost 100 years old doing the same thing he did with them. The more expensive antique tools I made shadow boxes for and display in my shop. Ill try what you suggested on the handles.

 

[Kev]

I'd be hitting you tube and watching videos like this ...

We've got a lot of different specialist cleaning and rust removal agents here in Oz ... you've probably got 10x to choose from in the US, lot's of ways you could go.

I'm not a big fan of WD-40. I use a lot of Lanox.

 

[unityroad]

why not use electrolysis a 5 gollon bucket, just check it out on youtube. [big grin]