Old tools I found today.

[BlksnshN]

These are some of my Grandfathers tools that I dug out of my Mothers garage.
I haven't tried to clean them up at all. Not sure what the best method would be.


Armstrong Chicago 3/8" Ratchet.
You can see "Norge Service" on the face of it. That is where my Grandfather worked for decades.

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/1625498_777283108950112_698655007_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/r180/969300_777283142283442_2040855040_n.jpg


Williams 1/4" Ratchet.
This one is missing the drive adapter, may be in the box somewhere.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10154149_777283372283419_200795445_n.jpg

Some miscellaneous wrenches.
The two 5/8" wrenches have Williams USA stamped on them.

Some old Vice Grips

 

[thesilverone]

fantastic!

 

[CTyankee]

Love the ratchet...and the inscription...

 

[BK13]

Cool stuff. I'd be torn as to if I would want to clean them up too much... I might just give them a good scrubbing with an oily rag.

 

[3baygarage]

Good stuff. That's a Williams refrigeration ratchet. Probably did not come with a male 1/4 drive plug but one could have had one added.

The vise grip screw looks fine so they would probably clean up nice. There's a lot of good advice on here about cleaning tools.

 

[BlksnshN]

Yeah, I'm apprehensive about trying to clean them too much, don't want to do any damage.

The Vice Grips I've actually used quite a bit over the years and they still work great.

I knew there was some old stuff in those little tool boxes (should clean them up and post pics) but never really thought about it much until I started reading and posting here. This place has certainly fueled my love for tools.

 

[Richard Cranium]

3 bar garage beat me to telling you that it is a refer ratchet. Neat find. I wouldn't remove the rust....

 

[Mavawreck]

Nice!

I'm going to be the dissenter here, I'd remove the rust. You aren't going to hurt anything, the original owner would have kept them rust free and you are more likely to use them if they are clean.

Here is a ratchet I cleaned up. It wasn't a show piece, just ready for another 50 years.

Before:


After:

 

[nmantas]

What was the cleaning product/method you used?

 

[Mavawreck]

Gave it a wipe down with denatured alcohol, then

+

(For me)

+

 

[BlksnshN]

That looks great Mavawreck!

Either way I probably won't use them, just put them in my box or a display.

Anyone have any idea's on the age of any of these?

 

[3baygarage]

That came out nice Mavawreck. Although your definition of rust in the before pic is more like my definition of dirty, lol.

 

[Mavawreck]

That came out nice Mavawreck. Although your definition of rust in the before pic is more like my definition of dirty, lol.

I hear ya. I try Noxon first because it tends to cut surface rust and grease pretty well. If Noxon isn't working, start with a soft wire brush and then work your way up from 320 or so. If Noxon wont cut the rust, then the chrome is most likely already damaged and I haven't found sanding and polishing to make anything look worse. Polished steel in itself doesn't look bad, a coat of wax will help keep it looking good.

It is not just the look but the feel. Clean tools just feel better.