Rust removal from carving chisels

[homeinthecity]

I’ve picked up some second hand carving chisels/gouges. They’re good quality Sorby and Pfeil, but they have a fair amount of rust.

It’s in small patches like freckles, across both the main shafts and into the various cutting shapes.

Any recommendations for getting it off? Thanks!

 

[Chisteve]

I use scotch brite mops on my bench grinder wire wheel as good also

If by hand wire brush and elbo

 

[Harry Hare]

You can use a rust rubber, Terry come in various grits. Plus some fine wired wood,

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Fine wired wood is a new one to me.

 

[--Tom--]

Scotchbrite scrubbie and some wd40

 

[eribaMotters]

My preferred method is 400 grit aluminium oxide abrasive and white spirit, but as you've seen from replies above any gentle abrasive material and an oil based lubricant is going to do the job.

Colin

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

Fine wired wood is a new one to me.

Is that something to do with Cliff Richard? He was wired for sound a few years ago. Now, being 83 he's wired for wool to keep the poor little sod warm!

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

Back on track though. Is this a good application for electrolysis?

 

[homeinthecity]

Thanks everyone, great suggestions.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Done a few at Men In sheds.

If it is light with light pitting.

Wire wool dipped into a good bee's wax.
Grey or Yellow Scotchbrite and Bee's wax.

If the rust is heavy a wire brush in a bench grinder of a drill will do no harm.

Wrap some masking tape round the handle, it will give some protection if you slip.

If it is bad, remove the handles and I tend to use Citric acid. Either cold for a few days. Or boil it it up.
Then clean with 0000 grade wire wool and bee's wax.

A selection of tools in Citric acid.

I have found if the blade is badly rusted the Tang in a wooden handle will be bad.
I clean them up to bright metal.
Gently warm to a red shade. Dip in cold clean engine oil.
Then polish to a bright metal, warm until a dark straw shade is visible, dip into clean oil.
Then remove surplus oil and refit.
I use Sulphur to glue the handles on.

Fun way to heat metal.

 

[cowtown_eric]

look at cratex wheels- tad on the pricey side. they can be profiled for gouges/ almost to vieners, but also available for dremel rotary tools

 

[thetyreman]

brass wheel on a 6" grinder is what I use to clean old rusty tools up.

 

[okeydokey]

Garryflex is brilliant
This link gives an idea of cost
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=garryf...81_2213262&tag=mh0a9-21&ref=pd_sl_q4hek7u3b_e

 

[Vulcan]

Back on track though. Is this a good application for electrolysis?

Yes, that’s what I’d do first. I’ve done this many times. Unlike acid it doesn’t etch the surface of the metal.
After that I’d use abrasive pads, the green supermarket ones work just fine.