Multitool.org Forum
+-

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.


Steel and 'Finishes'

gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Steel and 'Finishes'
on: December 28, 2012, 08:37:04 PM

I thought I would do a little comparison of rusted steel and 'finishes'

From left to right lets call the heads ABC and D, finished with...
A; Wire brush
B; Vinegar
C; Original
D; Flap wheel





A; I think this is the easiest and most durable finish to do, done by using a wire brush then oiled, rust seems to be porous and holds the oil, this finish requires very little maintenance




B; Leaving the steel to soak in vinegar anything from a few hours to a couple of days leaves the steel looking 'Grey' this does the least damage to the steel and seems to 'hold' the oil but not as well as 'A'

This will rust unless protected with oil, below right after wire brushing (oil applied to half)

   

You don't need any power tools to achieve this finish also its quite a 'clean' process creates no dust but you will need somewhere to wash off the gunk (you can use leftover gunk/vinegar to stain wood (and anything else) )


C; This is how they look originally
D; Was done with a 'flap wheel' needs to be protected, rusts very quickly


More examples of rust  treated to some vinegar






You can protect your tools using linseed oil on the handles and works well on steel if you are going to store your tools long term,
brush it on and after a few weeks it will harden to  protect from rust

Coated with linseed



I hope this has been of some use and feel free to add your own tips (  :pok: but only tips you have tried and found effective yourself)

  :viking:     :cheers:
Everything’s adjustable


hr Offline enki_ck

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 20,903
  • I may get older but I refuse to grow up.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #1 on: December 28, 2012, 09:27:59 PM
Very nice :tu: Looking forward to updates to this thread and some new tips. :salute:


us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #2 on: December 29, 2012, 04:13:14 AM
Very interesting post Tony, thanks for putting it together for us :tu: I've done a fair amount of wire-wheeling and have not always been content with the results. The rust comes off well enough, but on fancy old "collector" tools like I often work on, I don't care for the shiny finish that the wire wheel leaves. So I think I'll give that vinegar method a try. :)

In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #3 on: December 30, 2012, 05:03:46 PM
Very nice mate.  I've not done any vinegar cleaning either, just wire wheel and emery wheels for me.  The emery wheel is the one I'd avoid on anything precious myself, very easy to go to far in my experience.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


us Offline Pacu

  • *
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 5,514
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #4 on: December 30, 2012, 05:06:58 PM
i like the effect using vinegar has. Removes rust but still leaves the used kinda look to it.


also nice post!   :tu:
:like:    :MTO:


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,517
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #5 on: December 31, 2012, 03:54:53 AM
Nice one Tony  :tu: I got an axe of sorts (one of the combo roofing tools with axe/hammer/prybar head) a couple of months back from the big international car boot known as ebay  :D It has wooden scales on it's full tang handle so I don't think vinegar will be an option for me. I'll try to remember to get pics up soon


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,517
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #6 on: December 31, 2012, 02:07:57 PM
Here we go - pictured with a Yeoman and Spirit for size perspective







Would the vinegar trick work on this or be detrimental to the wooden scales? I'd like to clean it up a bit with minimum metal removal, and without having to rehandle it.

Cheers  :cheers:


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #7 on: December 31, 2012, 03:57:47 PM
Vinegar will stain wood (might not matter in this case) and possibly ‘raise the grain’ of the wood

I would try the wire wheel/wire brush and some oil in your case to see how it turns out, you can always try the vinegar if you don’t like result  :tu:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,517
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #8 on: December 31, 2012, 04:06:09 PM
Vinegar will stain wood (might not matter in this case) and possibly ‘raise the grain’ of the wood

I would try the wire wheel/wire brush and some oil in your case to see how it turns out, you can always try the vinegar if you don’t like result  :tu:


Now you've got me thinking it might be a good idea after all  :think:


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #9 on: December 31, 2012, 09:51:05 PM
I like that crating tool you've got there Al. Over here those same tools were made by Bridgeport Hardware. Hmmm, matter of fact yours appears almost identical to a Bridgeport....

Guess I'd better send a PM off to our resident expert from Australia who can hopefully come give us a ruling. :D
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


au Offline MultiMat

  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 8,694
  • The MTO handshake.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #10 on: January 01, 2013, 02:29:04 AM
Bob, Al's Snail tool , those poor English snails  :ahhh :P :D. Looks very similar to the US made Bridgeport combination tools but does differ slightly in that it has a more defined hammer , it almost looks like it has been shaped to resemble a conventional hammer   :think: :think:. The Snail does share the hatchet, hammer, nail puller & chisel/lever/nail remover,that a lot of Bridgeports had as features. I have seen similar tools made in Germany,England,Japan & the US. Europeans tend to call them 'roofers' tools & the US 'Box' tools(for use in warehouses,dockyards etc,used on wooden crates/boxes).
 


Great post Tony  :salute: :salute:

Al keen to see how your Snail comes up mate  :think: :think:

"Downunder Mod (that sounds dirty, doesn't it?)"
Yeh Baby :P >:D >:D


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #11 on: January 01, 2013, 08:51:39 PM
 Ax tip for today  :salute:

If you need to do a little refurbishment to your edge I find some 150ish grit emery cloth/sandpaper glued to a flat batten very useful, I hold and use this the same way you use a file,
and you don't have to worry about overheating the steel  ;)
 

When it gets clogged with filings you can clean it using a belt-sander 'rubber' if you don't have one of these find an old hardened tube of silicon sealant , split open the tube and use the contents (also works on belt sanders   ;) )



 :cheers:
Everything’s adjustable


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #12 on: January 02, 2013, 04:35:11 PM
Good tip with the silicone Tony, I'll need to give that a go sometime. :tu:
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #13 on: January 02, 2013, 05:50:44 PM
Yep its a good one  :tu:  how many of these have I thrown away over the years?  ::)
Everything’s adjustable


hr Offline enki_ck

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 20,903
  • I may get older but I refuse to grow up.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #14 on: January 02, 2013, 08:17:47 PM
Great tip there :salute:


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #15 on: January 11, 2013, 12:12:46 AM
Last tip that I can think of at the moment  :think:

When you get your rusty tools home pop them in the freezer for a couple of days if there’s a possibility of woodworm in the handle

Cheaper and nicer to handle than chemicals  ;)

Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline nuphoria

  • Ambidangerous Mistress of Mod
  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • *
    • Posts: 15,038
  • I'm not all bad, I'm just drawn that way.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #16 on: January 11, 2013, 02:34:43 PM
I can see you hosting a DIY tool maintenance TV programme Tony - I'd watch it :tu: :D
A dyslexic man walks in to a bra...

All my music for free: http://soundcloud.com/chrissyvandyke


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #17 on: January 11, 2013, 06:42:50 PM
I think its been done before Chrissy  :think:

Reg Prescot Makes a Cabinet

 :oops:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline nuphoria

  • Ambidangerous Mistress of Mod
  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • *
    • Posts: 15,038
  • I'm not all bad, I'm just drawn that way.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #18 on: January 11, 2013, 08:07:48 PM
:rofl:

Oh, thanks for that!
A dyslexic man walks in to a bra...

All my music for free: http://soundcloud.com/chrissyvandyke


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #19 on: March 28, 2013, 07:58:26 PM
After a post from Stew

Removing rust with  Electrolysis  >:D

Most people use a 12v car battery charger, I have two but they are both out on loan  ::)
So after a little look around the mess that is my garage I came up with a 2amp 24v power supply,

this method produces hydrogen so only try it somewhere with good ventilation





I hung 4 x 4” nails (anodes +) inside a plastic tub and connected the – to the Axe head
The liquid is a tablespoon full of washing soda crystals dissolved in warm water



After about 8hours we have soup  :)



After a scrub in the sink  ;)



After a drop of linseed oil  :D
Just needs a sharpen and a bit of stick now




I hope that all makes sense  :salute:
Remember
-to Axe
+ to sacrificial steel
Everything’s adjustable


au Offline MultiMat

  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 8,694
  • The MTO handshake.
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #20 on: March 31, 2013, 10:09:15 AM
Nice work Tony  :salute: :salute:.

I think just as well you are a sparky mate  :think: I am not sure I would be game to set up that de-ruster :ahhh :ahhh. I am fairly sure our house insurance policy would get cancelled should things go pear shaped :ahhh :ahhh  :D

"Downunder Mod (that sounds dirty, doesn't it?)"
Yeh Baby :P >:D >:D


gb Offline Farmman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 911
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #21 on: March 31, 2013, 11:16:34 AM
This is a great thread tony, with great ideas that I can see working.  However not too sure what swmbo would think of a rusty hand tool in the freezer.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #22 on: March 31, 2013, 11:46:23 AM
This is a great thread tony, with great ideas that I can see working.  However not too sure what swmbo would think of a rusty hand tool in the freezer.

Better rust in the freezer than worm in your Chippendales  :D

@Mat,
You probably have all you need somewhere in the garage  :tu:
Mine seems to be under powered I think it will work better with a battery charger  :think:
It was mentioned on the net that newer car chargers are too intelligent, they think there’s a problem and not work with this set up

And there’s a lot of concern about this process producing hydrogen but I don’t know how much of a problem it is on this scale?
Probably best done with lots of ventilation  ;)

Good luck Guys  :cheers:
Everything’s adjustable


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #23 on: March 31, 2013, 12:40:32 PM
Looks good Tony, worth the effort do you think?
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #24 on: March 31, 2013, 12:58:46 PM





Not sure really, I have another one cooking at the moment so we will see how that looks when its done  :think:

But it seems to remove the rust, it is not as harsh as using vinegar, leaves more of a patina and there’s none of the dust that wire brushing gives you

So we are at the ‘still playing with our new toys stage’   :tu:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #25 on: April 06, 2013, 12:34:20 PM


After a couple of days in the electrical stew my ‘test’ axe looks like this





Just need to pop it back in the other way up now  :D
Everything’s adjustable


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #26 on: April 08, 2013, 11:00:34 AM
Looking good mate.  Happy with the finish/effort?
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #27 on: April 08, 2013, 11:11:15 AM

Not sure yet, I think I need more rust to test and would like to try a car charger  :think:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline Philby

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 851
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #28 on: April 11, 2013, 11:04:34 AM
Great thread cheers!


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 12,996
Re: Steel and 'Finishes'
Reply #29 on: April 11, 2013, 03:07:17 PM
Thanks Philby  :salute:
Everything’s adjustable


 

Donations

Operational Funds

Help us keep the Unworkable working!
Donate with PayPal!
March Goal: $300.00
Due Date: Mar 31
Total Receipts: $379.86
PayPal Fees: $19.62
Net Balance: $360.24
Above Goal: $60.24
Site Currency: USD
120% 
March Donations

Community Links


Powered by EzPortal