Friends don't let friends wirebrush nice tools.

[Bolster]

I take more heat for my opinion on this topic than any other, here on GJ. (Even from my dear friends!)

I'm an outspoken critic of wire brushing tools. I think it can easily ruin the tool's collectibility. It certainly ruins patina. I'd far rather buy the tool rusty than brushed. With the coarse brushes most people use, it adds overall scratch-marks that are visible. To me, most wire-brushed tools look "sick." In the traditional meaning of the word.

I will admit I have seen some well-done wire brushing that passes even my critical eye, using a very fine wire brush and low speeds, Dremel-style. Most bench-grinder wire brushing, however, jumps out at you and says, "I was rusty, and my owner wanted the rust off FAST."

Before you start firing at me, let me just say, I have no problems wire brushing non-collectible tools, or tools that you are going to use until they die, and then throw them away. But if you want to pass your tools on to posterity, please think twice before putting them under the spinning wire brush.

I submit for you an ebay item, which I think speaks for itself. A formerly nice tool, its patina ruined by careless wire brushing, in the owner's attempt to make it shiny so it would sell for more.

Notice how it oddly reflects light in a non-uniform manner, has a shiny mottled appearance, and how the areas that weren't reached by the brush are still very dark, where as high points are super bright and now have accelerated wear. Wire'd tools often have edges that are too shiny where the wheel started to heat/remove steel.

Today there are so many other options for refurbishing a tool.

Flame Suit ON, fire away...

 

[Chris Adams]

I don't see why anyone would disagree with you.
Wire wheel a cheap or junk tool, or one that is common as dirt, not in good shape, or has no resale.
Don't wire wheel anything rare, nice, collectable or you wish to pass on for generations.
Sounds very reasonable.

By the way, I've wire wheeled some older pliers, they looked like your post. Better than they were, no way the best way to treat them.

 

[krusty the clown]

i agree..........

 

[48548]

I wired brushed a plomb pebble patina finish once not knowing any better, I used a fine brass brush and it looks nice and maybe I ruined the finish, but live and learn. I have only done it a few times, but more often than not, it has cleaned up some grungie looking tools, most of my plombs, I have cleaned with a brass wire wheel on my drill going slow, it seems to work fine. But Bolster has tought me to be more careful after thinking about the damage I have done, to a few tools. Also I sleep at night knowing I have my tools for me, and not to sell down the road and that helps, but then the next night I have a nightmare because I ruined the finish....

 

[T56 Impala]

IF you spend much time looking or researching tools on sites like Alloy Artifacts, as I'm sure you do, you will see that about 1/2 of the tools they photograph have been "wheeled". Now, whether you like the look of them or not, I don't really see how it devalues a tool unless it does significant damage to the finish. By this is mean, removes either chrome, Cadmium, paint or other manufacturing applied coating.

Plain steel finished tools can be wheeled for cleaning. Any possible damage done will be undone or covered up by time. If you use the tools, as I do some of my collectibles, the much sought after patina returns very quickly. Just work on something greasy and oily, they will be fixed in a day!

Now, I do my best not to wheel my old tools. I have done a few that I know will not be true collectibles. Again, these are done low speed with a fine brass brush or are done by hand with a fine brass brush. One "trick" I am trying is doing the re dip and air dry with EOR then adding a nice coating of motor oil. So far, this seems to make the wheeled tools look great and the non-wheeled tools look about the same.

I wonder, surely someone at the Smithsonian or other museum has knowledge about such things. Maybe I can try calling and ask. What harm would there be?

 

[48548]

What if I had some tools rechromed? Like some plomb pebble? How would they look? Or redone in Cadmium? I have been thinking about this for a whole set, 1"-1/4" ratchets.. But haven't done anything yet because I want them to look great, but also look original or close, not sure I care about the value, but I don't want to ruin a tool also, some I have spares so no loss, but some I don't....

 

[T56 Impala]

Re-chrome would look terrible IMHO. It tends to fill those smaller space like size and part numbers. Cadmium on the other hand if all of the original is removed, and the new is not too thickly applied, would seem like a good thing to me. You would lose that old patina though.

 

[Bolster]

Somebody rechromed a complete set of Pebble combos...see if I can find it...

Here they are.

I think brass brushes are probably OK. I use brass brushes by hand and see no marks left behind.

Most of the brass-looking wheels that fit grinders out there are merely brass-covered steel. If you could find a TRUE brass wheel brush, that might work...I have never found one for sale. Maybe someone has a source.

 

[back2class]

I submit most tool buyers are tool users. They do not care how the light reflects off them. What you consider messed up 95% of tool buyers would consider clean and ready to go. I am not faulting you for what you like to collect. People collect beanie babies too. But sellers have to target the market and most used tool buyers do not care how light reflects off the tool. If your hobby grows into a real market force then I suspect you will see less cleaned up tools. But making the jump from enjoying quality tools in nice shape, to studying how light reflects off them puts you on the fringe for now. Who knows what the future will bring?

 

[Uncle Buck]

I looked at the picture of the pliers, I think it looks great. I have no problems wire wheeling my old and used tools, but then I have said this before so everyone already knows that.

I just have a different take than the popular one. If the pliers in the pic were somehow damaged by wire wheeling them I failed to notice the damage.

Actually, if that pic is supposed to represent what a tool damaged from wheeling is supposed to look at, then many would pass out looking closely at many of my tools, many look just like that. Those just look good to go to me.

No wishes to offend my good friends here, but I will keep on wheeling!

 

[Frank Elson]

what an ********.
Some folks like to have their tools non-rusty so they can use them to undo nuts and bolts, or screws.
Others like to have them looking all pretty and polished so they can be admired.
So far so good, two opposing points of view where both can understand and see the merit in the other opinion.

Then we have "I take lots of flack for my opinion," no, not for your opinion, which is as valid as mine (which is get the effing rust off any way I can and put the tool to work) but for your attitude in how you put that opinion over.
Grow up and lighten up. There are other opinions, just as valid.

 

[Bolster]

...studying how light reflects off them puts you on the fringe for now.

Well put. I confess I may be the lunatic fringe on this issue. Where is that 'tard icon?

And no offense taken by those who disagree about wheel brushing...it's not a discussion if everyone agrees.

I want to correct a false dichotomy I see a lot on GJ...one can be both a tool user and tool collector...
I use my collectables regularly. They are all used already, so why not use them some more. But I admit to taking
a great deal of pleasure from what the tools look like, and from tools in good condition.

Another fallacy you see is that wire brushing is the only (or best) way to get rid of rust. We have better options.
As "Dude Lebowski" would say, "New sh*t has come to light."

My Philosophy of Excellent Tools (which is what I use to justify the expense of expensive tools to my wife...
with mixed results) is that I will enjoy the work more, and do a better job, if I am using tools I love.

Do a job with tools you don't care about, and tools you do, and you'll notice a big difference in the quality of the job.
At least I do.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Wheeled or not, at the end of the day both of us collect and use Plomb tools, so it's all good here!

 

[Major Ramifications]

I don't want to have dented cars, dirty floors or rusty tools if I can help it. The reality is that I have two out of three of those things most of the time. I don't see how a light brushing with a fine wire wheel could hurt. My dad has a very fine wire wheel on his grinder that is so "fluffed out" from years of use that it is very gentle.

But I don't have a problem with someone treating old Plomb tools like people treat antiques, to each his own. I have never understood the whole antiques thing (except cars). Antiques Roadshow cracks me up. So some guy rubbed the Patina off of his grandmother's Tiffany lamp that would have been worth $900, so now it's only worth $90? It's a freakin' lamp. It either makes light or it doesn't. Don't penalize the guy for polishing something that was tarnished. I have trouble seeing value in anything other than what it can DO.

 

[48548]

You are right Bolster, that all of the wire wheels I have are only brass coated, I think because all of the old wood handled brass brushes my father had were pretty weak compared to the wire counter parts, they didn't take a lot of abuse before getting worn out. I use them for a little while and throw them the wire wheels or save them for something else that I can use them for.

 

[dxdexter]

I highly advocate either of the two below pictured methods of rust removal:

Seriously: For you chemical guys, has anyone tried muratic acid. It removes rust like crazy. You have to apply oil ASAP because they will almost instantly rust.

EDIT: I hope you know I'm just yanking your chain, Bolster, to each his own.

 

[krusty the clown]

Seriously: For you chemical guys, has anyone tried muratic acid. It removes rust like crazy. You have to apply oil ASAP because they will almost instantly rust.

use a baking soda wash.......then oil

 

[48548]

I have used lemon juice and it worked well on rust.

 

[krusty the clown]

I have used lemon juice and it worked well on rust.

citric acid, i think any acid will work.......some are more harsh than others.

 

[Bolster]

Geez I missed this response! Now this is more like it!

what an ********. Some folks like to have their tools non-rusty so they can use them to undo nuts and bolts, or screws. Others like to have them looking all pretty and polished so they can be admired.

False Di-chot-o-my. You can have both style and function.

Then we have "I take lots of flack for my opinion," no, not for your opinion, which is as valid as mine (which is get the effing rust off any way I can and put the tool to work) but for your attitude in how you put that opinion over. Grow up and lighten up. There are other opinions, just as valid.

Well, at least I have your response as a shining model of the correct way
of expressing opinions and attitudes in the future.

 

[T56 Impala]

Muriatic will pit most metals. That would not only damage the look of the tool, but it would become rather unfordable if the pitting was in the wrong location. I too have calluses on my hands, but things still do irritate me.

Anyway, to each his own right? I never realized that the large grinder brushes were only coated with brass. What good is that?

One interesting thing about wheeling old tools.... you can definitly tell which brands use shiny alloys!

 

[nissan_crawler]

I looked at the picture of the pliers, I think it looks great. I have no problems wire wheeling my old and used tools, but then I have said this before so everyone already knows that.

I just have a different take than the popular one. If the pliers in the pic were somehow damaged by wire wheeling them I failed to notice the damage.

Actually, if that pic is supposed to represent what a tool damaged from wheeling is supposed to look at, then many would pass out looking closely at many of my tools, many look just like that. Those just look good to go to me.

No wishes to offend my good friends here, but I will keep on wheeling!

Well said. Pliers look great to me. If they had rust on them, I wouldn't bid on them.

Well put. I confess I may be the lunatic fringe on this issue. Where is that 'tard icon?

And no offense taken by those who disagree about wheel brushing...it's not a discussion if everyone agrees.

I want to correct a false dichotomy I see a lot on GJ...one can be both a tool user and tool collector...
I use my collectables regularly. They are all used already, so why not use them some more. But I admit to taking
a great deal of pleasure from what the tools look like, and from tools in good condition.

Another fallacy you see is that wire brushing is the only (or best) way to get rid of rust. We have better options.
As "Dude Lebowski" would say, "New sh*t has come to light."

My Philosophy of Excellent Tools (which is what I use to justify the expense of expensive tools to my wife...
with mixed results) is that I will enjoy the work more, and do a better job, if I am using tools I love.

Do a job with tools you don't care about, and tools you do, and you'll notice a big difference in the quality of the job.
At least I do.

Honestly, who cares what they use to get rust off? They aren't your damn tools. Don't buy them, or deal with it.

Sure, there are other options to get it out, but again, that's the owner's choice. Hell, I've drug things behind a vehicle to get them shiny again.

No, there's no difference in the job I do, whether it's with a popular mechanics wrench, or a Snap-On flank drive. I do quality work regardless, as everybody else should.

 

[1320stang]

Problem is, the OP is likely in the minority and guys like hholmburg, nissan crawler, dxdexter and me are in the majority.

While I take care of my tools, they are after all, tools. I buy 'em to use them. I do, on occasion, use some brake cleaner to wipe down the exterior (or would that be patina'd) yellow housings on my Dewalt tools (that many on here claim to be expensive B&D ****).

If I get a piece of chrome flaking off a socket, BFD, now if I get a crack in the side of a perfectly chromed socket, we have a problem.

Yeah, I own mainly Craftsman tools, I've handled some Snap-On and Mac polished wrenches and the thin profile hurt my meaty hands. (The Gearwrenches do the same thing, but I haven't paid too much for the few I have and am not sure of the quality of the raised panel Craftsmans and am shy to purchase such an expensive tool that the name may go under within a year and my warrenty be voided.)

 

[krusty the clown]

take into consideration bolster is talking about 80 years old plomb tools............not 30 year old mccaig-hatch and greatneck tools. the tools he's talking about aren't take to the farm and fix the tractor wrenches.

 

[Frank Elson]

Geez I missed this response! Now this is more like it!



False Di-chot-o-my. You can have both style and function.



Well, at least I have your response as a shining model of the correct way
of expressing opinions and attitudes in the future.

as opposed to the lunatic fringe method you used of deliberately starting a thread where you infer, quite strongly, that anyone who does not bend to your opinion is, naturally inferior.
You know, the superiority sneer on your face shows through your typing.

You can walk down the street secure in the wonderful knowledge that, although, unfortunately, everyone does not bow to your amazing powers of ego-enhancement, you have, at least put us in our place and shown to the rest of the forum that we are a lower form of life that may be acknowledged in passing, but that is, still unfortunately inferior.

You're still an ******** tho

 

[krusty the clown]

as opposed to the lunatic fringe method you used of deliberately starting a thread where you infer, quite strongly, that anyone who does not bend to your opinion is, naturally inferior.
You know, the superiority sneer on your face shows through your typing.

You can walk down the street secure in the wonderful knowledge that, although, unfortunately, everyone does not bow to your amazing powers of ego-enhancement, you have, at least put us in our place and shown to the rest of the forum that we are a lower form of life that may be acknowledged in passing, but that is, still unfortunately inferior.

You're still an ******** tho

wow..........EVERY BODY TAKE THEIR MEDS, JOIN HANDS A SING KUM-BY-YA......

 

[dxdexter]

Is it just me or is it getting a little chilly around this place.

 

[garfunkle24]

It has been pretty feisty around here lately. I was admittedly grouchy in one thread, but I definitely wasn't in the minority on this board in the last few days.

 

[old salvage]

take into consideration bolster is talking about 80 years old plomb tools............not 30 year old mccaig-hatch and greatneck tools. the tools he's talking about aren't take to the farm and fix the tractor wrenches.

Yup. Thats important, as is level of rust. Also, where the tool is to be stored since rusty tools continue to rust and do so faster than tools that where rusty but have had rust removed.

 

[Bolster]

It's all good, guys. Try as I might, I just can't take any offense to being cussed and called an ******* for not liking wire-brushed tools.

I still love Frank Elson and Nissan and Dex (although Dex was causing deliberate pain with those photos...ow! my eyes!) and all the rest of you adorable but misguided wire wheelers who shred your tools.

I knew it was a controversial opinion when I posted, and expected no less.

Please continue, flame suit is still on. Care for another go at it, Frank? I feel as if you are holding back, which is ultimately not good for your health. And by the way, the speaker 'implies' but the listener 'infers'. You Brits are supposed to have a command of the language. You don't have to make it so easy for me to be superior...I like a little competition at least.

 

[nissan_crawler]

take into consideration bolster is talking about 80 years old plomb tools............not 30 year old mccaig-hatch and greatneck tools. the tools he's talking about aren't take to the farm and fix the tractor wrenches.

To some yes, to other's no. I have Ford wrenches at work that get used often, as do other mechanics at work.

If I found a set of plomb wrenches like that, they would be going directly into my toolbox for regular use.

For me, they WOULD be take to the farm and fix the tractor wrenches. I bought dad several antique hand planes - they get used. I have an antique saw and hand drill - they get used. I have antique wood carving tools - they get used.

I don't use them as often as modern tools, but I have no antique tools that I *wouldn't* use.

 

[krusty the clown]

To some yes, to other's no. I have Ford wrenches at work that get used often, as do other mechanics at work.

If I found a set of plomb wrenches like that, they would be going directly into my toolbox for regular use.

For me, they WOULD be take to the farm and fix the tractor wrenches. I bought dad several antique hand planes - they get used. I have an antique saw and hand drill - they get used. I have antique wood carving tools - they get used.

I don't use them as often as modern tools, but I have no antique tools that I *wouldn't* use.

good for you........then i guess you won't deny him his opinion then

 

[nissan_crawler]

Ford wrench and much older wood handled monkey wrench in the back right corner of my toolbox:

 

[nissan_crawler]

good for you........then i guess you won't deny him his opinion then

He can have his opinion all he wants, and state he doesn't like the look, but to assume people don't use them, and that other people shouldn't wire brush them because he may want to buy them later, I don't agree with.

Now, if he was mad because somebody wire brushed one of his tools, I would fully understand that.

 

[krusty the clown]

some of you really need to relax...........maybe hang out with micheal phelps for a while

 

[T56 Impala]

N_C, so you have Ford tools. Any chance you could take a look at a wrench for me? It says Ford, made in Canada. I would really like to know if it was a store bought item, a tool kit item or maybe a factory/assembly line item. Some one even suggested it was from a WWII jeep tool kit. (It doesn't look that old to me, but I guess it could be.) Oh, and before some one asks, I have NOT hit it with a brush yet!

 

[Bolster]

He can have his opinion all he wants, and state he doesn't like the look, but to assume people don't use them, and that other people shouldn't wire brush them because he may want to buy them later, I don't agree with. Now, if he was mad because somebody wire brushed one of his tools, I would fully understand that.

Hey I'm right here in the room, guys, don't talk about me like I'm dead!

First, I assume that most people here DO use their antique tools. I certainly do. In fact most SAE wrenches I own & use are "antiques." If it's SAE, I'm not likely to get the job done unless I call on the 'tiques.

Second, Nissan is right, I am resentful about someone wire brushing several of my tools. Very insightful. That person was ME (years ago). I wish I hadn't. Irritates me every time I pick them up and use them.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Hey I'm right here in the room, guys, don't talk about me like I'm dead!

First, I assume that most people here DO use their antique tools. I certainly do. In fact most SAE wrenches I own & use are "antiques." If it's SAE, I'm not likely to get the job done unless I call on the 'tiques.

Second, Nissan is right, I am resentful about someone wire brushing several of my tools. Very insightful. That person was ME (years ago). I wish I hadn't. Irritates me every time I pick them up and use them.

Ah, that makes sense, seeing your view on them. I've done that type of thing to myself, before.

I'm not saying that I would automatically take an otherwise nice wrench, etc. with a finish, and jamb it in a rough wire wheel either.

 

[rhandwor]

I buy a lot of U S impact sockets that are very rusty cheap. I use a fine wire brush and penetrating oil and they are resalable when done.

 

[v8garage]

what an ********.
Some folks like to have their tools non-rusty so they can use them to undo nuts and bolts, or screws.
Others like to have them looking all pretty and polished so they can be admired.
So far so good, two opposing points of view where both can understand and see the merit in the other opinion.

Then we have "I take lots of flack for my opinion," no, not for your opinion, which is as valid as mine (which is get the effing rust off any way I can and put the tool to work) but for your attitude in how you put that opinion over.
Grow up and lighten up. There are other opinions, just as valid.

as opposed to the lunatic fringe method you used of deliberately starting a thread where you infer, quite strongly, that anyone who does not bend to your opinion is, naturally inferior.
You know, the superiority sneer on your face shows through your typing.

You can walk down the street secure in the wonderful knowledge that, although, unfortunately, everyone does not bow to your amazing powers of ego-enhancement, you have, at least put us in our place and shown to the rest of the forum that we are a lower form of life that may be acknowledged in passing, but that is, still unfortunately inferior.

You're still an ******** tho

Anyone reading this rant can see who the real "********" is here. Reminds me of Franz..