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Get ready to be jealous

3K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  Dark_Lightning 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
New to the site, have been woodworking for about 5-6 years, and have a bunch of basic hand tools and power tools but I hit the mother-load this morning.

I search the free section of my local Craigslist daily (usually 5-6 times a day). Here's why. I found a lady selling her fathers house, he had been sick for several years. This stuff sat in an old outbuilding for 6-7 years until the roof collapsed last week allowing the elements in and causing some of these tools to rust a bit. So all I had to do was come pick everything up and it was mine.

The tools include are:
Black and Decker/Dewalt RAS R1450-B
Magna 630 11" band saw
Magna 640 6" sander (not pictured)
Cummins drill press (not great but was free)
Craftsman 10" electric table saw 113.290650

There was also a cabinet that the RAS was sitting on full of tons of extras all pictured in the imgur album.



Now the help part, what should I do about the rust, Id rather use some very mild chemicals (vinegar, etc…), but if anyone has attempted this before I'd love some insight. Thanks ladies and gents for your time.
 
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#4 ·
Older stuff but that isn't a bad thing, especially at the price. Magna was the original mother company of ShopSmith. The band saw and sander are ShopSmith SPT's (special purpose tools) that will run off the headstock of the base SS or can be separately mounted like yours. I have the bandsaw and it is a really nice tool, better than any other small bandsaw I've ever seen.
 
#5 ·
As you suggested, apple cider vinegar will work fine, though it takes some time. Vinegar works best for me on smaller parts (bolts, etc.) when I can just drop them in a cup filled with vinegar. Larger pieces would be harder and require more vinegar. You might try soaking a cloth in it, laying it on the flat surface, then laying Saran Wrap or something similar over the cloth to keep the vinegar from evaporating.

As Gene suggested, Evaporust will also do you good. The best price I've found is $8.99/qt at Harbor Freight, but you might find a lower price elsewhere.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Wow. Good find. I've been seeing some free stuff on CL in my area latelytoo. I recently scored a 6" jointer.

I was able to remove rust using some WD-40 and metal sandpaper (which may not be the best approach). Just be sure to clean off the WD-40 with mineral spirits, as the WD-40 can trap moisture and cause more rust. I used boeshield T-9 to lubricate moving parts, and protect the metal surfaces. Not sure how well boeshield will work long-term to prevent rust as this is the first time I'm using it.

Some deals I've seen in CL in the last few days:
- 7.5 HP/80 Gallon (looked like a speedaire) air compressor for free (In Seattle, I think it's still listed), sounds like the person just needs it gone, and it was leftover from a car dealer. . claimed to hold air and was working until they unplugged it. These usually go for over 1k used.

- This morning I saw 2 table saws, an older craftsman (looked to be a 70's model), and a newer craftsman, both need some work.

I look at CL on a daily basis just for this reason. Good find, you suck, and enjoy your new tools.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
You should read through the beginning of the Show the restoration before and after forum. Mostly hand tools, but a number of larger vintage power tools were restored and all sorts of methods discussed. I'd say the two most popular are evapo-rust (the best of the commercial products) and electrolysis (which is cheap but slower). I use evapo-rust, because it works quick and is environmentally safe. You can put your hands in it with out worry. It seems expensive until you find it can be reused over an over again. (hard to know when you can throw it out) Do remove with wire brush as much as you can first to prolong the use of any product. I often use a cup shaped wire brush on my hand held drill, that I got from the hardware store. Also check out: The Rust Store .
 
#10 ·
Another vote for Evaporust. Won t harm paint, isn t obnoxious, gets rid of rust in 12 hour, and is reusable!

- Picklehead
I'd say more like 3 hours. But you can leave it to work overnight and not worry.
One trick is that it works faster if warm. I leave it working in the sun, but you can heat it.
 
#11 ·
I took another look at your pictures and the rust does not look that severe to me. They have only been exposed to the elements as you say 6-7 years. You may be able to just use WD-40, vinegar, sandpaper and elbow grease. Small parts I'd still soak in evapo-rust.
 
#12 ·
They have only been exposed about a week. I took the rust off the bandsaw table with some wd-40 and 1000 grit emory in about 10 minutes. My main concern was with the tablesaw, the rust layer looks a bit thicker. Still nothing crazy about restoring these items. Also, I know nothing about the electric table saw. The more I read the more I realize ill probably just bypass the computer and go manually. Anyone used one of these before?
 
#17 ·
Use steel wool with WD-40 instead of sand paper to remove the rust. It won't remove the true metal below as much. Nice score, BTW. You can use Evapo-Rust, just keep it wet with paper towels on the surfaces. I seem to recall reading here that molasses properly dissolved worked as well as Evapo-Rust, but don't recall where.
 
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