Resurrecting rusty old tools

[Tim Brennan]

I've got a collection of rusty old tools that came with the house. See photos.

at present they serve as my own personal museum  but are these tools salvageable? and if so would they be worth it given how tools have come on in recent years?

 

[Roseland]

To be brutally honest, I think you'd be wasting your time.  Once saws have any rust on the sides they'll never cut as nicely.  And new ones are probably less expensive that it would cost you to get the materials to remove the rust fully.

I don't know about the lawnmower, but I suspect the same is true.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Andrew

 

[rljatl]

Evapo-Rust is amazing but it can't remove pitting or other damage.  Google it.

 

[Kev]

I'd probably treat and seal the mower and keep it as a talking piece .. and throw the rest away.

 

[samhandwich]

I would strongly suggest that you experiment with using vinegar to remove rust. Soak a rust-covered item in vinegar for several days (3 to 5). The vinegar will chemically liberate the iron oxide from the steel. You will be surprised at how it cleans up old rusty tools.

 

[Bohdan]

Dipping in dilute molasses is used by old car restorers to remove rust and old paint. It doesn't affect the steel which will come out bright and clean and then immediately start to rust if left unpainted.

It will even remove galvanizing - takes a few days but works very well.