found grandpas tools

[bobsbigdodge]

I feel dumb asking this but how can I clean and restore these 1920 and 30's sockets and wrenches. I had never thought about it with my work tool. They get wiped off or wire brushed. I just don't want to ruin an old finish if there is still one on the old tools.

 

[ZRX61]

We need pics

 

[csargents1546]

 

[mikebramel]

Brake cleaner/ solvent thank then electrolysis or evaporust

 

[Harwinton]

Got any of those really old pressed steel sockets in this set of tools?

 

[dandan111]

Are they chrome or black?

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

wd40 and steel wool,on chrome

 

[bobsbigdodge]

I have started by soaking the sockets in ATF and brass brush, but this is painstakingly slow.

no stamped steel sockets, mostly plomb, p&c, snapon, SK, blackhawk.

the wrenches are a mix of armstrong, plomb and SK

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Pitting can't really be cleaned up. If you just have surface rust, I like using a fiber wheel to clean things up. Finish with a metal polish.

 

[dandan111]

Steel wool will get any rust off like diesel said..

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've had luck with carburetor dip on old tools. Just have to let them soak for quite a while.

 

[bobsbigdodge]

pics

 

[mrbreezeet1]

soak in vinegar, maybe overnight then red skuff pad. Don't forget them in the vinegar though.

 

[rusty65]

Vinegar ruins the finish on tools in my experience i would just take some fine steel wool and some 3 in 1 those tools look to be pretty clean for their age and its super cool they were your grandpas.

 

[Outlawmws]

Steel wool will get any rust off like diesel said..

For any plated tools I'll qualify this with "Fine Steel wool" and oil WD40 is fair, but 20 or 30 wt. oil is better...

Generally stay away from aggressive abrasives; wire wheels are generally OK on plain steel tools but stick with a fine wheel or better bronze not the heavy braided wheels.

On unplated tools with heavy rust, Electrolysis is great, then finish with the fine wire wheel as above.

 

[Outlawmws]

soak in vinegar, maybe overnight then red skuff pad. Don't forget them in the vinegar though.

Vinegar is pretty aggressive, so if you go in to that, DON'T go overnight. no more than an hour less if possible.

Any of the GOOD cleaning methods will take some time. They were your grandfathers tools; aren't they worth a bit of time?

 

[thundermug]

I agree with rusty65. Fine steel (or brass) wool and some oil. Don't bring them to high buffed shine. If you want shiny, buy new tools.

 

[Don 18]

Here is a great resource for you:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/index.html

For cleaning I use Evaporust (available at Harbor Freight). Clean the tool, drop it into the evaporust overnight, and then hand clean it with a brass brush. Rinse and dry, then use WD40 and a fine steel hand brush to finish them off. Last step is a light coating of motor oil to combat future rust. YMMV.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I agree with rusty65. Fine steel (or brass) wool and some oil. Don't bring them to high buffed shine. If you want shiny, buy new tools.

Well put! Even a quick wipe down with WD-40 or similar will leave them with a good enough shine.

To the OP: How were they "found"?!?! There must be more than 200 pieces there. I'd bet your grandpa would be honored to have you take care of them.

 

[woody 73]

I would leave as much patina on those old wrenches as possible, unless they are full of rust.

 

[pop pop]

Old chrome plater once gave me his "secret" on chrome plate. Never steel wool, always brass wool or brush.

 

[Harwinton]

pics

Wow. That's a nice set of tools even by today's standards! You gonna bring 'em back into service?

 

[bobsbigdodge]

I'm not going to use them I have a complete box and my fathers life long collection, these are the first tools that I have thought about displaying.

found..these were in the green box on the roof of the bath room in the shop. I have been doing a major cleaning of my parents house

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I think most of that stuff is a lot newer than " '20's and '30's" tools. Have you looked at the date codes on any Snap-On items in there?

I'll bet the stuff is more like late '40's and '50's, with a scattering of '30's stuff.

If its not rusted, find someone with an Ultrasonic cleaner. Evaporust is a good way to remove rust. I would avoid abrasive items like steel wool, scotchbrite pads, buffing wheels and such. Stuff is a lot less sentimental after you have buffed the daylights out of something.

Charles

 

[andywander]

Yeah, they look clean enough already, to me!

 

[Man of Many Vices]

I would leave as much patina on those old wrenches as possible, unless they are full of rust.

I agree with Woody. Those tools look fine as-is, with a few exceptions that might require a light touch of oil and rag or fine steel wool.

I spent countless hours cleaning old tools until I learned from the folks here at GJ that I was stripping away decades of patina. Now a good wipe, and into the box they go.

 

[onewaydave]

You've already got $$$$ worth of advice and all of it pretty good. But, my 2 cents...


If you are just preserving them and don't want to do any damage, I'd recommend diesel soak and a non abrasive pad to get the grit/oil/dirt off them. Diesel will not do any damage to the metal or finish and the rust (which you didn't put there but is a part of the tool) will pretty much stop in its tracks and not progress, if you take care in the future. Most of the phosphoric acid "converters" (and ascetic acid will attack the metal) will leave a discoloration to the base metal.

Now, if they are users. Do as you want or follow any of the above.

Dave.

 

[bobsbigdodge]

Thank you all for the advice. Two cans of brake cleaner and the real rusty ones in evapo-rust I have cleaned most of them to the point of enjoyment.

I have found SO stamped snapons. Indian head blackhawks. None betters, plomb, vlchek, lakeside, eclipse, barcalo, artisan, ford and buick.

 

[KF5LCH]

Those sockets will clean up nice with some 3&1 oil and fine brass/steel wool. Might take a little while, but it will be worth it.

Might try the plain steel wrenches in a electrolysis tank or evaporust, then a wipe down with 3&1 oil.

They look to be in pretty good shape. Congrats on getting your granpas tools. I have every tool my grandpa had when he passed. Some were his dads tools. Lots of history in those old tools.