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Reconditioning hand planes

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8K views 27 replies 14 participants last post by  Malekin 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have some hand planes that I got out of a friends basement and a few from a yard sale and they are coated in a thin layer of rust and bird poop. what I would like to know is if anyone out there has reconditioned or knows how to recondition and tune up these puppies . Some are simple block planes but 2 are much larger and complex. I'm still scratching my head as to the best method of derustifying and tuning them.
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have heard with iron planes, that you can use a sacrifical piece of metal and a set of electrodes (battery charger, not sure though on that) and a bucket with I believe a salt solution and de rust it that way… I have read about in a book, but never tried it my self. unfortunately I have that book packed away, or I could look it up for you. I know it works that though, very well for things like that. Maybe someone else here could say for sure how you do this.
 
#4 ·
Done this, been there, searched online, asked on LJ's and there are a few threads here relating to this. Lots of methods work but save yourself some time and effort and go online or to Autozone (a car store parts chain) and get some Evaporust. No discussion necessary, place your plane parts in it and in a few hrs they will be as rust free as you will ever get them. Rinse them off under the faucet after. Always works. Non toxic and reusable up to a point. Amazing, amazing stuff.
 
#5 ·
One note I would add to Nicholas' comment is that while salt would work it will give off chlorine gas which is highly toxic and corrosive. Use baking soda instead of table salt. The only problem I have with the electrolysis method is that, while it removes the rust, it leaves a black deposit on the surface of the iron.

Another method that works pretty well is Evaporust. It can be bought at any automotive store or in gallon quantities from Evaporust.com for $21.00 per gallon plus shipping. It works pretty well at rust removal and there have been reviews posted here.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
The best method I have found for rust removal is by using electrolysis. You will need a plastic container large enough for the piece being cleaned to be suspended and submerged, a 12V battery charger, and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda(calcium carbonate). The soda is a little difficult to find sometimes. You will also need a metal rod or 2 to be a sacrificial anode.

Suspend the part in the bucket, use wire, bare copper I have found works well. Mix the washing soda to about 1 tablespoon/gallon of water. Place the sacrificial anode in the solution as well but NOT touching the part to be cleaned and clamp it to the sides of the bucket. It is better to have multiple anodes as the process only works by "line of sight". Attach the battery charger. Very important here, if you get this wrong it wont work and you will add rust to the part being cleaned. The POS cable gets connected to the anode and NEG to the part being cleaned. Plug in the charger and go have a beer, wait a few hours, its a slow process. It will usually take 12-24 hrs to complete depending on how much rust there is to remove. Once you start the process within a few minutes you will see small bubbles appear in the solution. The chemical reaction has begun.

When all of the rust has been removed the reaction will stop by its self. Its kinda cool. There may be a black film on the parts which is normal. A good stiff wire brush works well at removing it. Just a side note, DO NOT use stainless steel as the anode material, it will create a toxic solution in the chemical reaction. Rebar works well, is cheap and readily available.

Evaporust, which has been mentioned here, works well but is expensive. I have used it and the parts come out clean but are etched. The parts are even sticky and just dont look right. The elevtrolysis leaves the "patina" and will even remove paint if left in long enough.

Good luck and if ya need any more info send me a PM.

The video is not mine and I am not endorsing it in anyway. I found it as a reference to help guide.

 
#10 ·
It was said above, but this should be highlighted. Washing soda is different from baaking soda (although both are often made by arm and hammer). The electrolysis works well, especially for larger items. A gallon of eaporust will cost you $20. a box of washing soda (enough to derust a car) will cost you $2. with evaporust, you need to completely submerge the items. Finding an appropriately sized container to fit a #8 without too much wasted space (which would require more evaporust) isn't always easy. Just some ideas to help you make your descision. I've been really happy with the results from both, but they really have different pros and cons. let us know what you decide and how it works.
 
#11 ·
Purp…...Did you find that the evaporust made the metal "sticky"? I dodnt like what it did to the color of the metal either. I will continue to use it for smaller parts, nuts, bolts, washers etc
 
#12 ·
Hokie - a custom fit container for a #8 can be made from Aluminum foil which will minimize the amount of evaporust needed - true, it still costs more than washing soda. but not everyone have a battery charger, cables, and clips which can up the costs.

Ken - I did not find the parts to be sticky at all. I did wash them with soap and water after the evaporust, and sprayed them with WD40 to prevent flash-rust (which you'd do either way even with electrolysis). but after that, they feel just like any other brand new (clean) plane/metal. the results are quite amazing to say the least.

I just checked the link to Davids' (from the folding ruler show) restoration of the plane (linked above) where he used electrolysis, and the results are far from what I've seen in my process using evaporust which seems (at least to me) to be much better.

I would use electrolysis for really big parts for which evaporust just wouldn't make sense to use - such as Ken's Table top. but for smaller stuff, it's just not worth the trouble (to me).
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Somewhere on here I made a post about using molasses in a 3 to 1 ratio with water(3 parts water to one part molasses) its cheap, it works well and it doesnt destroy the japanning if there is any on the items. But it takes a bit longer than the evaporust. When your done though get rid of the solution cause it gets a nasty funk kind of moldy after a few weeks…
 
#14 ·
I am kinda lucky. I dont have to worry too much about flash rust. Our humidity is in the low teens most of the time. Its hot and thank god not humid, I dont see how you east coast guys do it.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ken - Forget the East Coast. Try woodworking with a cast iron table top in an open garage in Houston Texas. Today it is 97 degrees with a 93% relative humidity, bringing the heat index to a slightly cool 104 degrees. Also keep in mind, today is the coolest day we have had in the last week.

I have to sand, and re-wax my table saw table top every month. I'm a pro at it now, but it still takes 2 hours to do right…
 
#18 ·
Derrek…..I guess I should have included the midwest as well. I know what its like to be hot, we are 105 here today. But, I dont have the humidity to deal with, thank god!! If it hits 30% here we are dying. I cant imagine 90%+, I dont see how you do it.
 
#19 ·
Wow !! What a response. THank you, you've given me much to consider. I have one plane that's probably too large to go the evaporust route without getting prohibitively expensive. the smaller ones however seem like they are candidates for a chenical bath :) .... now to get to payday so I can get a can of evaporust . till then I think I'll get to work on the bigger one and see what I can do with that one . got a battery charger . Does washing soda works best for the Electrolysis or could I substitute baking soda. Am I looking for a Chlorate based substance for the electrolytic reaction ?
 
#20 ·
If you are going to try the electrolysis method, washing soda is the best. It is calcium carbonate. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and there seems to be an issue with the bicarbonate in the solution. I am not a chemist and I dont remember the issue. Baking soda will work somewhat but the washing soda will give you all the bang. FYI…..the newer battery chargers are considered "smart". They have an internal brain that senses current, if nothing is sensed the charger "may not" work. If that is the case add an old battery in line to fool the charger. Washing soda is found in the laundry aisle. I found it at Albertsons, you may have to "shop" around. GL….Ken
 
#21 ·
Aha , found an Article that says that Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) can be Cooked at 300 Deg … it loses water and a CO2 molecule and becomes Sodium carbonate (washing soda) . think I 'll cook up some washing soda … outside in a well ventilated area :) Will let you know how it works out and thank you all for your input .
 
#23 ·
Now I Looked em up. My HS chem is a lil rusty buuut … Calcium Carbonate is basicly eroded limestone or seashells
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_carbonate
Whereas Sodium carbonate I remember was used in glassmaking . didn't know it was called washing soda till I looked it up though
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate
then I found I guy's website that restores cars and he makes his own from baking soda. Found another site that explained the reation process so I think I'm gonna try that on the larger plane till I can buy a can of evaporust . I seem to be collecting rusty stuff and from reading all the posts both methods seem to have their uses. Oh …. The guy that wrote the article on car restoration said that the more alkali the solution the better the reaction but the more alkali substances like Sodium hydroxide and such have undesireable side effects such as nasty odors and dangerous and or flamable vapors. btw got a 4 pack of Baking soda this afternoon and gonna cook some soda on the grill :)
 
#26 ·
Evapo rust!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then search the net for parts descriptions and adjustment hints.

Anybody that has the skill to make that nice bench you made can do this in his sleep.

If I can do this any high functioning idiot can. (i do not infer that you are a high functioning idiot.)

The first time you use these puppies after you get them tuned you will love the music they make as thin shavings come off the wood.

Can you post some pictures?
 
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