Cleaning old machine shop tools?

[blunosr]

Hi, I bought a bunch of really nice old tools from the estate of an old Machinist. They have years of machine shop grime on them. I tried brake cleaner, but it didn't seem to do much. That's the best cleaner I can think of. Can you guys suggest anything else?

I have dial indicators, calipers, micrometers, etc. Most are hard to read, and the dial indicators are nearly useless. I thought about trying to find replacement faces (the glass/plastic bezel), but I'd like to clean them if possible.

Thanks,

Troy

 

[cvairwerks]

Depends on what the grime is. Best thing to try first is 90% isopropyl alcohol and lint free rags. Dial indicators can have the faces replaced as well as the lenses, but the cost would probably exceed the cost of replacing the unit.

 

[Jazz1]

I'd soak in diesel fuel. Vinegar I use for most things but it will remove plating and will ruin anything cast

 

[retDAC]

Try Pine-Sol.

 

[Davefr]

I disagree. I would not soak dial indicators/calipers in anything!! I would only soak std. micrometers that have been completely disassembled.

If you get vinegar or diesel inside the movement of a dial indicator you'll likely ruin it. They are supposed to be clean and dry inside. Sames goes for dial calipers.

I'd use a brass or nylon gunsmith style tootbrush and mineral spirits but only on external metal parts and make sure nothing can get inside the dial movements.

Once these parts are clean, certain parts like scales can be polished with Simichrome.

Try toothpaste or plastic polish for lens faces. I doubt you can remove the yellowing but you should be able to make the dials readable.

For misc. metal rulers/squares/etc you can be a little more aggressive and use a fine scotchbrite pad and WD-40.

 

[Air21]

You might try warm soapy water first if you think it may be coolant or soluble oil since that was what that was originally in solution with.

Resist the urge to use wd-40 on moving parts that you're going to close up and not see again, it gets gummy and isn't good for instruments.

For metal parts I've had great luck using ethylene glycol (green antifreeze) in a Crock-Pot.

I cleaned some micrometers once in I think kerosene, it took the black out of the engraving. I was able to use Kiwi Edge Dressing to fill them back in and wiped the surface clean with a little more kerosene on a cotton ball. They still look brand new years later.

And don't rule out sending things to a precision instrument repair place, sometimes it's the best thing to do and the prices aren't as crazy as you might expect.

Also... PICS!

 

[Ign]

Yeah....measuring instruments can be kinda sketchy.

For general machine tool cleaning Formula 409 is surprisingly effective, but do use in a well ventilated area.

Anyway when you're finished w your project have some Starrett Instrument lube on hand, comes in a yellow/red plastic bottle

 

[larry_g]

For old grimy stuff I use Hoppes #9 gun cleaner. For sliding surfaces like vernier calipers I use Starrett machine oil. I agree that dial indicators take special care.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Packard V8]

Most are hard to read, and the dial indicators are nearly useless. I thought about trying to find replacement faces (the glass/plastic bezel),

The bad news is a replacement face will cost more than the antique dial indicator is worth. The other bad news is even if one can find a replacement, many require watchmaker tools to disassemble and replace the face. BTDTNA.

FWIW, I bought a NOS Brown and Sharpe BesTest Precision indicator set for cheap

because it had sat on a shelf for years in a hot storage warehouse. The heat had buckled the plastic face like an old potato chip. Having a new face was more than the new set would bring.

jack vines