removing rust

[dsimatt]

Well i have a big problem with my matco tap and die set, i hadn't used it for a few weeks and when i pulled it out the other day alot of the pieces were rusted really bad, not simple surface rust. I took scotch brite to one tap and got most of the rust off but took all the lettering off, most of the dies look like they've been sitting outside for years, i don't know how they got all rusted up except it was very humid for a week.

So does anyone have any ideas on getting the rust off without taking the lettering to, otherwise its useless and i won't get anything trying to trade it on a new set.

 

[Plombob]

I had a few extremely rusty taps. Wasn't sure they were worth saving, but I soaked them in Evapo-Rust and they are nice and clean. There are two with no markings, so I don't know if the ER took them off or if the rust got it. You can try soaking just the cutting area.

 

[JJThrasher]

I'd warranty them.

 

[DekeT]

Soak them in molasses.

 

[dsimatt]

I'd warranty them.

I doubt a dealer would do that, plus I haven't had a Matco dealer in months so that route is shot. I'll have to try the different ideas and see if they work because right now they are basically useless.

On a side note I went to Matcos website and they sure cheapened the set up, so if I replace it I'll be going with snap on.

 

[JJThrasher]

Matco should warranty drill bits, taps, and dies. If they won't warranty them for rust, I'd snap them in a vise with a hammer and turn them in.

 

[dsimatt]

The old dealer warranteed a few different taps that were snapped, but the problem is identifying what size is each and also i don't have a dealer. The big thing for me is why did they all rust because they haven't been exposed to water and most have never been used so not brake cleaned off or anything like that.

 

[rusty65]

Just put them in evapo rust and sharpie on the sizes if they come off or you just engrave then back on. It's pretty easy to tell a tap size if you have a tap drill chart and thread gauge.

 

[dsimatt]

I'm gonna try the evapo rust and see how that works and probably just do a few at a time to keep in order and engrave them.

 

[devilsnight]

Do you need to oil them after using evaporust? My Snapon set is the same way, can't read any of the markings anymore. I can usually eyeball the right size but its nice to be able to read them too.

 

[dsimatt]

After I dip them and if the rust comes off I'm gonna coat them in oil to keep the rust away... I have had this kit for years and no issue and now they rusted in a few weeks, and most I've never even used.

 

[moto.aero]

Evaoporust ultimately destroys the metal. I had a couple rusted Craftsman pliers that my kids left out on the lawn. I left them soaking in the Evaporust for a long time, weeks, and when I took them out the metal was eaten away and what was left was brittle and unusable.

I have had good results doing quick soaks, but don't leave them in there like I did! Especially something with cutting surfaces. You might also try electric rust removal, using a battery charger and some baking soda. I haven't tried it yet, but have some large machining tools that I'd like to try out with this method. Look it up on Google.

 

[dsimatt]

Yeah the longest I'd leave them is overnight because I could see the the metal getting eaten away, and being cutting tools that would ****.

 

[jakemac]

You could try CLR. It works slower than ER and doesn't eat chrome. It may leave the etching on the T&D's but IDK, I haven't tried it for that purpose. Test it on one before you dump the whole batch in. I had a seised ratchet, due to interior rust, that I opened up and soaked in CLR overnight (one week in PB Blaster didn't work). It did the trick without eating the shiny.

 

[kenfain]

Anyone ever try naval jelly? I just picked up an old tool box, and the drawer slides were rusted a bit. Then I was at Wally world yesterday I looked at the n.j. It says it shouldn't be used for chrome so I passed on it. Found some other stuff, works great, as long as you use a lot of elbow grease, and a wire brush. Good thing I used it huh? Oh well ,at least it doesn't eat chrome.