C-Clamps...need info plz

[Scout3918]

I got these 2 small C-Clamps free yesterday. They seem to be well built. One is Cincinnati Tool company which I have heard of. the other looks like it is "Malleable".

What should I do to clean them up or should I just oil them up? I will use them. I not wanting them back like new condition as they will be working pieces.

thanks
Raymond

 

[gdocktor3]

Whichever you prefer. I might hit them with a wire wheel on bench grinder and paint the C a nice blue....

 

[astroracer]

I've refurbished a few old clamps like that. I sand blast them and spray with Rustoleum Hammered gray. They look good and the hammered is tuff paint after it cures.
Mark

 

[freddybaker]

I would just use a wire brush mate, and some methylated spirits or similar. Depends how nice you want them to look I guess..

 

[Scout3918]

thanks for the replies. I will def wire wheel brush them. Maybe if have time, paint them for a winter project.

 

[fatfillup]

Before you hit them with the wheel, spray a little PB Blaster or whatever brand you like on them. It will do 2 things. Make the job go a bit quicker with little less wear and tear on your wheel and will impart some oil into the steel. End result will look a little better.

Those clamps if not twisted are worth saving. Not as good as forged ones but will certainly work for all but the most demanding jobs.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hi Raymond:
You can't own too many quality C-clamps. You can give them a good electrolysis bath, which will save a lot of wire wheel time. After that, use a fine wire wheel to finish.

I recently restored a couple of 10" Cincinnati clamps like this:
1st Picture; The clamps. Looks like they've been outside for a long time.
2nd Picture; Boiling away in the e-bath for 3 hours per clamp.
3rd Picture; After e-bath, before wire brush.
4th Picture; All clean
5th Picture; Just hanging around, waiting to dry.
6th Picture; Finished product.

Cheers

 

[Michael_in_DE]

That is some really nice work Mark. I like your username too.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

That is some really nice work Mark. I like your username too.

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[PeterT]

Hi Raymond:
You can't own too many quality C-clamps. You can give them a good electrolysis bath, which will save a lot of wire wheel time. After that, use a fine wire wheel to finish.

I recently restored a couple of 10" Cincinnati clamps like this:
1st Picture; The clamps. Looks like they've been outside for a long time.
2nd Picture; Boiling away in the e-bath for 3 hours per clamp.
3rd Picture; After e-bath, before wire brush.
4th Picture; All clean
5th Picture; Just hanging around, waiting to dry.
6th Picture; Finished product.

Cheers

Looks great, I would of probably kept them unpainted they look so good. Just oil them up to keep the rust off.

 

[gregaz]

GREAT work, Mark!

To the OP - I recently did the same thing - bought some rusty, but quality C clamps on Fleabay with the intent of restoring them. All of mine happened to be Cincinnati Tool. They came pretty rusty, so I soaked them in Oxalic Acid, and then finished them up with a wire wheel. I decided to NOT paint, but I will apply some kind of finish to them - probably boiled linseed oil, or even used diesel oil. Here are some pictures.

 

[rsanter]

I have done the wire wheel and the electrolysis.
Electrolysis is easier but slower and good and getting into all the creveses.

Bob

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have done the wire wheel and the electrolysis.
Electrolysis is easier but slower and good and getting into all the creveses.

Bob

All:
I believe that the finish is a personal choice. With electrolysis, the clean up is much easier.

 

[woody 73]

More information should you need it:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301065

 

[Scout3918]

Hi Raymond:
You can't own too many quality C-clamps. You can give them a good electrolysis bath, which will save a lot of wire wheel time. After that, use a fine wire wheel to finish.

I recently restored a couple of 10" Cincinnati clamps like this:
1st Picture; The clamps. Looks like they've been outside for a long time.
2nd Picture; Boiling away in the e-bath for 3 hours per clamp.
3rd Picture; After e-bath, before wire brush.
4th Picture; All clean
5th Picture; Just hanging around, waiting to dry.
6th Picture; Finished product.

Cheers

Hi Mark, hope you doing well.

Great job on c clamps and i agree can't have to many quality tools. You done awsome job on them but thats no suprise after first hand seeing your work on vises.

 

[Scout3918]

Thanks again for everyone's advice and the link.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hi Mark, hope you doing well.

Great job on c clamps and i agree can't have to many quality tools. You done awsome job on them but thats no suprise after first hand seeing your work on vises.

Thanks for the kind words. I hope you're also well.
I don't know why, but these days, used, good quality brand c-clamps are quite undervalued. So I'm going to keep buying them. Maybe they will become as sought after as vises & anvils.

 

[Scout3918]

Thanks for the kind words. I hope you're also well.
I don't know why, but these days, used, good quality brand c-clamps are quite undervalued. So I'm going to keep buying them. Maybe they will become as sought after as vises & anvils.

Mark: I am fine thanks but busy. working at factory 7 days a week 11-12 hour shifts. but least I got a good job, so not complaining.to much lol.

well don't buy them all up, I need a few more before the price skyrockets.