Did I destroy it?(part A)

[BFBOB]

I have a Blue-Point DOE 5/8x3/4 that was in terrible shape. See the pix. It was so ugly I decided to restore it. Started with an acid dip to get the rust off, the buffed out the faces of the working ends. Hit the raised tradmark very lightly with the buffer. Here are the before and afters:
So, did I enhance its value? Destroy its value? Just waste my time? With all those grind marks I doubt it's worth much anyway. All opinions welcome!

 

[SweetD]

I'm not sure what you ended up with overall value, but in my opinion, electrolysis bath is the most gentle and proven method for removing rust and crud.



Dave

 

[rhastings80]

hopefully that wasn't Cadmium plated...

 

[DodgeMech]

Isn't it a general rule that if you think you can restore value by taking off rusty yourself, you prolly shouldn't?

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't think you hurt it, assuming it wasn't plated. I don't generally buy into the whole "Rust on a tool is patina" theory. Generally a rusty tool is a neglected/abused tool; you should be able to USE it.

Yes there are a few exceptions, but not near as many as "roadshow" aficionados would have you believe.

 

[woody 73]

I remember reading a story a long time ago about cleaning old coins (or anything else of value); it would seem that back in the day 1890's everyone would clean the old coins to make them more appealing before they would sell them. Well it seems that so much would get destroyed that the value would go down by x-amount of dollars.

So today in 2012 true collectors (of all old things) would argue that you should never touch any old item of value.

I don't think you killed it if you are happy with the results and you want to either use it or display it, but then again that is only one opinion...

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I've been looking to try oxalic acid as a rust cleaner. Apparently it doesn't attack chrome or paint. Check out the link above. The chrome is nothing short of great.

 

[BFBOB]

Thanks for the replies. I know about electrolysis; I tried suplhuric acid first because I could do it immediately for a project I was anxious to get done. I liked the results so I have stuck with it. Not perfect, but quick and easy.
I'll eventually set up for electrolysis and give it a try.
"Cleaning" antiques is very touchy. The horror stories are often about using methods that remove material - like the buffing I gave my wrench. Overdone on a tool that's heavily rusted or lightly stamped, it could remove the markings - not good.
I've given this treatment to three wrenches so far, and I think it improves the looks. In the case of a Craftsman which has no collector value, only utility, there's no question in my mind it improves resale value. It LOOKS more usable.
The Blue-Point is a wrench I'm not going to keep - never liked DOE's anyway. I'll use it for sale or trade if anyone's interested in its present condition.
I lean toward Outlaw's attitude, but DodgeMech has a point too. Let the final owner deal as he sees fit.
But, I keep hearing of the masses at flea markets, garage sales and the like digging through the dirty Proto's etc. to grab the nice shiny HF's.
Decisions, decisions.

 

[BFBOB]

I've been looking to try oxalic acid as a rust cleaner. Apparently it doesn't attack chrome or paint. Check out the link above. The chrome is nothing short of great.

I've tried Evaporust. Does not at all live up to its promises. Only removes the very lightest surface rust. Deeper rust survived DAYS of soaking. I got dramatically better results with sulphuric (aka muriatic) acid.

 

[Caleb T]

I don't know if it was /is worth anything, but it looks like a nice piece to hang on a peg board, or put into your "use" pile! Looks good! No complaints here!

 

[larry_g]

It seems to me that you have taken a $.50 - $1 wrench and cleaned it and it is now worth $.50 - $1. Use it and be happy.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[hickmlg09]

I don't know if it was /is worth anything, but it looks like a nice piece to hang on a peg board, or put into your "use" pile! Looks good! No complaints here!

 

[Gmonkee]

Resale value will not really be affected. In antique used tools only full sets in pristine condition demand a high price. Everything else falls into the bucket of $1 wrenches. Most are just too common as singles in used condition.

Only the truly rare will demand a good price in any condition. IF the right buyer comes along and both the buyer and seller know what it is. For a concours car kit the tool has to be nearly perfect or he won't even look twice.

In the end its just an old tool, hope it will sell high but bet it won't.

I recently owned a century old IHC wrench for the horse drawn plow. At auction one netted $40.00, A decade ago.
I traded it to a collector of IH tools for some stuff I collect. A decade ago they were 'rare', on two forums it seems at least 5 of us have or had one recently and we all bought them cheap. Who knows....