How'd I do and Removing surface rust from taps & dies

[vw_tdi]

Greetings

Picked these up off eBay. Magna 39pc SAE and 40pc Metric Tap & Die sets. Made in USA

View media item 22525
Seller said they were in perfect condition, etc. They definitely haven't been used much, but have some surface rust, particularly on the SAE set

Other items look near perfect

I paid $67 each, shipped. With the rust/corrosion, perhaps I overpaid a bit?

AnywayI've read a bunch of threads on removing surface rust, but none particular to taps and dies. Most common suggestions, overall:

Evapo-rust
Wd-40 and #oooo steel wool (don't see how that works on the taps)
Wd-40 and brass brush

Other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Watchwatch]

Live with it. They are consumables after all.

 

[vw_tdi]

Live with it. They are consumables after all.

must....resist...****-retentative OCD tendencies...must....put down...rust remover...

 

[Outlawmws]

Vinegar. then a light brushing with a brass brush (Hand)

 

[vw_tdi]

like soak in vinegar for a while or just dip the brush in vinegar? Shouldn't make a difference, I suspect...

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Would vinegar effect the size stampings?

 

[Outlawmws]

like soak in vinegar for a while or just dip the brush in vinegar? Shouldn't make a difference, I suspect...

Would vinegar effect the size stampings?

I'd put them in for an hour and then brush. it's not instantaneous with only 5% strength.


Good point on the stampings. I would be surprised if laser stampings were affected. if those are some sort of oxide, they probably would go away.

So the best answer is try it on a part of one stamping you don't care much about and see... (I'm pretty sure I've done drills with that stamping without issue)

 

[jjjrmx5]

Use them!

Or wipe them down with tapping fluid or WD-40.

I've got minty fresh tools with more pitting than that. Slight pitting does not bother me one bit.

I can only imagine teh OCD you'll have once they get metal chips and shaving trapped in teh threads along with tapping fluid.

Geesh. OMG. LOLOLOL.

Great buy for the price.

Wipe 'em down and keep the humidity low.

 

[A_Pmech]

Leave them be!

 

[BHH]

Evaporust

 

[hammertime1]

I second evapo rust. I just found out the Kano aka Kroil makes a rust remover too. I confirmed today it is made at their facility and not a rebranded product like others do with evapo rust. prices aren't bad about same as Evapo rust. It's on my just of things to try out. I'd say electroylis since its easy bit that stuff is so little the evapo make quick work of it. Steel wool works good too.
I hate rust. I have a major undertaking of rusty rolls and frozen instruments I'm dealing with now. And as always taking it over the top.

 

[purplezr2]

I second evapo rust. I just found out the Kano aka Kroil makes a rust remover too. I confirmed today it is made at their facility and not a rebranded product like others do with evapo rust. prices aren't bad about same as Evapo rust. It's on my just of things to try out. I'd say elcere

Nice Victory Hammer

 

[5mall5nail5]

Using a tap in an unthreaded hole will surely clear the rust.

 

[woody 73]

I hear you on the ocd; ok first things first that Magna set has the laser tattoo and if you touch it with any wire brush or chemicals they will wear away (I blame those cheap cost cutting corners from the tool companies...don't get me started).

Trust me been there done that! So the next best thing is to pick up a dremel tool with a brass wire wheel and lightly hit the rust but avoid all that laser work cause once you lose it you will be UP A CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE so to speak and try not to touch the tap threads.

Woody tip: After cleaning up the ones you have just used take just a dab of grease and apply it to all your taps & dies it will protect them from future rust. If you are like me I buy many small loose taps & dies ,the best thing to buy is one of those plastic bin boxes (the kind you see that look like a small cabinet from your local hardware store) and store them in those plastic bins for future use.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[otis66]

You can rub aluminum foil on the taps a dies. The aluminum foil will remove the rust but pitting will remain were the rust was. Also you can pour white vinagar in a jar or container. place rusted tools in container. White vinagar will remove the rust.