rusty tools

[keh]

I buy used tools at various places and am constantly amazed at the number of rusty hand tools in the mix. Appearantly a lot of people think nothing of leaving tools out in the weather. Looks like they dump tools in a 5 gallon bucket and let it sit on the back of the truck open to the rain. It's not just cheap tools that get that treatment. Recently got a 1 1/8 SK socket that showed almost no use inside, but outside had some large rusty spots on it. Lots of tools show more abuse than use.

KEH

 

[old]

Doesn't take a lot to make a tool rust. I have picked up a good many tractors that had tools in the tool boxes and those tools are always rusted up real good. Most of the boxes never seem to have any water in them but the tools sure are bad off. When I get tools like that guess what I soak them in yep good old ATF and a few weeks later they work well but ya may not look real good

 

[Ken-Pa]

Soak them in the dark colored household vinegar . Its amazing what that stuff does . HTH ! God bless

 

[MO Jason]

I hate that my tools rust. I have an attached garage that is not climate controlled and most of my tools rust- not much I can do that I know of. No way to really insulate the garage more than it is.

 

[Dalex]

I buy alot of swap meet tools, and when I come across a nice but rusty tool , I soak it in Muriatic (Swimming pool ) acid, available from Lowes and H.D. You need to check them every half hour or so , and as the acid weakens it may take over nite to work good , but the results are great . Note : Not for Aluminum !! If the tool is plated , then I use a Scotch Brite disc on a angle head die grinder, that works on most of them....You can wipe them down with ATF to keep them from rusting again , right , Old ?
And wear face and hand protection , keep a bucket of water handy !!

 

[Dusty MI]

Get an aerosol can of oil and mist your tools with oil.

Dusty

 

[big fred]

If you aren't at all concerned about hydrogen embrittlement, soaking high strength steel in acid is probably fine, but if sure doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

 

[keh]

Perfect example of what I mentioned in the OP. Went to town(had to get milk and bread, it started snowing here in W SC since the OP, LOL)and looked in a pawn shop where I have had good luck before. Got a 6 inch Craftsman 1/2 inch drive extension because it was something of a collector's item since it was made in Taiwan. Can't see where it has ever been used but is dirty and rusty.

KEH

 

[old]

Yep ATF will help keep them looking good and not rusting My self I like to soak them in ATF before cleaning since I prefer a too to work before it looks good.

 

[RobMD]

I saw a few tools in a john deere 720 tractor, in its battery box which I had just bought. the pliers were pitted and horrible, and the 9/16 wrench in there was like a toothpick.

Don't leave tools near batteries lol.

 

[87nassaublue]

the vinegar method works great. I soak them for a day or so, then, brush them down with the wire wheel on my grinder. That will even save a rusty file. The metal looks like fresh cast. It's amazing how that will strip the rust away. It will take the shine off chrome however. It sometimes even strips the chrome off, but if it's already a mess, who cares. If they don't come completely clean the first time, I dunk them again for another day or so and repeat the process till I get them like I want.

 

[Old Timer in Ohio]

Hey there KEH;
I've seen articles on here?, about
electrolysis rust removal, It sounds
simple enough, it uses a car battery
charger, and some sort of soda.
You can goggle it up for the correct
details.
Bob
God Bless

 

[1936]

Ketchup cheapest brand found place in a glass cake type dish-cover the tools and check every day till you get what you are looking for. Just don't leave tools for a couple of weeks and then check.

 

[Tim in OR]

I learned when I was in the truck shop to wipe my tools with an oily rag.
Tim in OR