Light rust on taps and dies

[theoldwizard1]

I bought a "vintage" Craftsman tap and die set at a garage sale for a reasonable price. It looks like it has not been used very much, but there is some light rust.

What is the easiest way to remove the rust ?

 

[Dave455]

For taps, just use a fine brass wire brush, and a suitable oil.

For dies I’d start the same way, but you can’t get inside. So, after getting any loose external rust shifted, I’d give em a soak in spirit to remove any oil or grease, then a soak in the rust remover of your choice.

 

[Maui]

Use them. The rust will come off during the first use if it only light surface rust.

 

[RoninB4]

Use them but be wary of the material you're using them on if making new threads. It doesn't take much use to dull the actual cutting edges of a tap or die, especially if those are just plain carbon steel and not HSS. If HSS isn't stamped on them then they're plain carbon steel. Taps/dies don't last forever and it's quite possible, for a couple of reasons, to trash a new tap/die in one or two uses. Using a dulled tap for new threads can lead to it breaking off down in the hole. A dulled die will smear/gall the threads and look terrible. A dulled tap/die works ok for cleanout of an existing thread but using them for new threads is asking for trouble. Apply oil when using these should displace/rub some of the rust off.

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

WD-40 does a good job of breaking light rust, that and a wire brush. But as a previous poster stated, taps/dies are consumables, when dull they cause more problems than they are worth.

 

[rlitman]

Rust is an abrasive. The rust that rubs off during the first use must not be allowed to grind on what's left of the sharp cutting edge. I'd use a greasy lubricant (Fluid Film is my favorite choice) that traps the rust, and replace it over-zealously until the tap is clean.

 

[zendriver]

Naval jelly?

 

[whateg01]

Somebody advocated using vinegar to remove rust and sharpen files the other day. Maybe try that! /s