cleaning hammer that re already handled?

[reptilezs]

any tips for cleaning hammers that have handles already on? they are wood handles so i don't want to soak them. got a pair of older vaughn ball peens i picked up a year ago

 

[michael murder]

Are they rusty? I've never had a reason to clean a hammer, so just curious.

 

[Davefr]

any tips for cleaning hammers that have handles already on? they are wood handles so i don't want to soak them. got a pair of older vaughn ball peens i picked up a year ago

Wire wheel and don't contact the wood

 

[woody 73]

Depending on the size, and any patina which I leave alone; if it is full of rust I use a brass wire wheel and to finish it up around the wood part I use my hand held dremel tool.

Funny thing but last week just by chance a women was selling a few very rusty tools and I spied an old 48oz. Engineer hammer full of heavy rust and the handle was also somewhat beat up. The face of the hammer had met its match with something; but she only wanted two dollars so I bought it and took it home.

Turns out that hammer needed a lot of love because when I took the rust off it was a blue-point made in the USA.

 

[reptilezs]

Are they rusty? I've never had a reason to clean a hammer, so just curious.

just some surface rust and discoloration. just looking to fix them up, not a big deal if i don't. they are fine to use as is. mostly looking to kill time

 

[jakemac]

If the rust is only light and you want to kill some time, use some of your favorite penetrating oil and a scotch-bright pad.

 

[Outlawmws]

on the wire wheel. For hammers either brass or a fine steel wheel does well. don't use the braided type, or you will likely leave marks.

 

[Honda 1]

+1 for the wire wheel cleaning method, on the head only.

 

[BHH]

Hang hammer upside down. Tape off handle where head meets handle just incase. Soak rags in Evapo-Rust. Cover head carefully with rags, wait. Then wash up and enjoy.

 

[ZRX61]

Another vote for the wire wheel, done quite a few like that.

 

[CWP1616L]

The maroon colored scotch-brite hand pad is what I use.

 

[Harley94]

If you do use the wire brush method, put 2-3 wraps of masking tape around the wood by the head. That way if you do overshoot with the wire brush, the masking tape will help to protect the wood.