Rusty old axe cleaning method?
casedaddy2010:
I found an ald axe head from the early 1900's on my familys farm, and its rusty and crusty, just wondering how i would come about cleaning it up...thanks all...
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BitburgAggie_7377:
You're two basic choices are electrolosysis and using a commercial rust remover like naval jelly. For an axe head from the early 1900's I'd probably go the naval jelly route.
You might want to read the following threads before you decide:
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BA
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chipthefinder:
Hey BA
I read the attachment you placed on electrolysis...very helpful...i am trying to rid the rust of relics I found...I am going to try that tonight
Chip
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oli:
Hi,
You can try oxalic acid, it's used in woodcraft to make it become more white. Always rinse after use, of course ! [wise]
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catfishrman:
Fine steel wool and light oil. Takes a while but does a good job and doesn't hurt the base metal.
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gambol1:
My first choice for heavily rusted parts is heat. Heat it up to cherry red for about 10 min and let it cool slowly. The heavy rust will be converted to black oxide and a wire brush and a little machine oil is all that is needed to finish it. If you plan on using it for a cutting tool you need to re-harden it again . This poker handle was the handle of a blacksmith's vice circa 17-1800s, It was rusted so bad it broke in half when I tried to turn it. Heat treating revealed the underlying metal which has been sculptured by time in a way no craftsman can duplicate.
A second method I use for delicate items which you would not want to heat. for example cast iron or tool steel. Imerse the part in a hot (160 degrees F.) phosphoric acid bath overnight. Where do you get phosphoric acid? Naval jelly!. The active ingregient is phoshoric acid. I use a crock pot with a built in heater, lid on. Very little gas is evolved in this process. Just the acid smell. After 24 hours the rust is converted to a black phosphate which can be removed with a wire brush. The final wash is with baking soda to nutralize the acid. Some tools I leave the phosphate on the part, dry the part at 200 degrees F and then dip in urethane. Tools treated this way are attractive and are very reistant to rusting. (3 fl oz naval jelly per gallon water). No don't try this with your wife's crock pot!
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seldom:
All good ideals but the safes and easy way is as BA said naval jelly and clean water
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chipthefinder:
Great Info!
thanks
Chip
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casedaddy2010:
thanks everyone for your help, its coming along...
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gambol1:
BA, I read the link on electrolysis and I'm trying it with a really corroded clad quarter to see what happens. Its been in the bath for 2 days now at 1/2 amp and it is beginning to show base metal. This was a quarter on which I could not read the date or any of the writing on the back before cleaning. Now I can read everything and the Eagle is showing. I will post the before and after when I am finished. Gambol
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