Kevin’s weekly restoration thread

[Magnum440d100]

I have been going through my tools and have found quite a bit of “forgotten” gems.

So I thought I’d do something different.

I’m going to (hopefully at least) pick one crusty rusty a week and see if I can bring it back to usable condition.

If I gather enough crusty rusty’s, I may just post an overall pic and let you guys choose the next one.

I’m going to start slow and work my way up.

I’m starting on an antique pipe wrench. Instead of soaking in evapo-rust or vinegar first, I’m going to spray penatrating oil on it, to see if I can’t loosen it up first. Sprayed tonight, I’ll let it sit overnight.

Of course any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated and encouraged!

Stay tuned!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Magnum440d100 subscribed..

 

[Carpenter_Tom]

make sure you protect your hands! thanks for sharing

 

[jonshonda]

I find PB plaster and a torch are a killer combo. Once you get it freed up try electrolysis, or just try electrolysis right away to see if that works to free it up.

 

[Coloradical]

Awesome [emoji869]

 

[Stuart in MN]

Of course any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated and encouraged!

My advice is just to be patient. I have a little 4" Diamond Calk adjustable wrench that was rusted solid, and it took a lot of soaking with penetrating oil (I use Kroil) before it broke loose. I'd give it a spritz and let it sit for a day or two, then work on it for a while, then give it another spritz and let it sit for another day or two. It ended up taking more than a week before it finally started to move.

 

[Magnum440d100]

make sure you protect your hands! thanks for sharing

Yes!

Always wear some form of PPE when working with any and all chemicals. Good call!

 

[Magnum440d100]

Small victory, but a victory none the less!

There had been debris between the sliding jaw and main body. Soaking it with penetrating oil softened the debris enough that I was able to clear the way for oil to soak through and through. Part of me thinks that with the crud stuffed in there, not as much penetrant can penetrate. Now that it’s it clear, she got soaked with a bit more penetrant and will sit overnight again.

Tomorrow looks like I may have some free time after junkyard scrounging, that I may get to be able to mess with this wrench earlier than tonight. Unfortunately, most updates will be at midnight or later PST due to my regular daytime gig.

If all goes well, tomorrow I will be stepping up chemicals from cheap dollar store penetrant to acetone and transmission fluid

Same bat time.
Same bat channel.

See you guys tomorrow!

 

[Magnum440d100]

Ok, I really dropped the ball on this one!

Had to leave town for work, and wasn’t able to finish this little project.

So now I have it soaking in vinegar. Wish I had done so while I left for work out of state. Would have been freed up by now hahaha

Oh well cest la vie.

Update coming soon!

 

[Magnum440d100]

Well, work picked up and I wasn’t able to get to the pipe wrench. It is still soaking in penetrant. I’ll pull it out in a few days and check it out.

As far as this weeks project? A craftsman V selector/Flying V 1/4” drive ratchet.

I bought this and another 3/8” drive as a pair. The 3/8 drive works flawless. The 1/4”? Not so much. After a soak, an ultra sonic cleaning, wire brush/scrape, clean with a pick, and a custom retaining clip, etc, it is now working.....

 

[leg17]

It's not a pipe wrench.

 

[Magnum440d100]

It's not a pipe wrench.

Haha no, no it’s not lol

The one in the original post is still seized. Every soak, and cleaning dislodges more rust and gunk from the “insides” of the pipe wrench. Eventually the penetrant will seep in farther and eventually dissolve the rust holding it tight. I thought I could do it in a week, but boy was I wrong! Having to go out of state didn’t help either hahaha

 

[bonneyman]

Oh yeah, I'll be watching.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Did a quick and dirty to these proto pliers...

Good enough to put them into my main box and back into daily use