Rust on inside of craftsman socket

[pipsters]

Hi guys, I've got Craftsman sockets that are going on 4-5 years old (stamped G1 and G2 and GK), just noticed a few of them are full of rust on the inside where you place the ratchet into it. I cleaned with a brush, dunked in phosphoric acid, then baked to prevent hydrogen embrittlement but am wondering about long term of those sockets. This got most of the rust off that I could tell, but most of the sockets I have have zero sign of rust at all, even the non-used SAE ones, so it's weird that these few got rust.

There was even some rust on the outside lip on the chromed part, albeit not nearly as much.

I don't really want to cover my sockets in an oil substance, was looking at Zerust drawer liners. Fairly inexpensive and for $25 including shipping they will last and prevent rust for 5 years (use them for my 12 gauge case), but I'm wondering if getting rust inside the socket is "normal" or if there was something wrong with the manufacturing of the handful of sockets I have that have started to get surface rust. I realize it's an unprotected part of the socket, no chrome and the paint inside wears off, exposing the metal.

Of course I can/could swap those sockets out at Sears, but now that it's mostly cleaned up I don't really think I have a case, and to be honest I like my 4-5 year old sockets more than the new ones. Just don't want them to deteriorate, and the rust to come back. If there was rust on this socket, there might be more rust coming down the road no matter what I do.

 

[SARG]

There are a multitude of sites that show how to create a very cheap Electrolysis tank. I put one below. They can usually be created from stuff you already have laying around and they do dissolve rust from about anything.

http://www.antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

 

[thrifty bill]

I am a big fan of oxalic acid (dilute). I use it to restore vintage steel bikes all of the time. Much more effective than Phos acid IMHO. Google it and you will see references to using OA (oxalic acid) on many different forums.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I'm wondering if getting rust inside the socket is "normal" or if there was something wrong with the manufacturing of the handful of sockets I have that have started to get surface rust. I realize it's an unprotected part of the socket, no chrome and the paint inside wears off, exposing the metal.

a manufacturing flaw could be the case. i've never had one just rust sitting in the drawer, they usually only rust after getting a bath by a hose or rain.

 

[pipsters]

Interesting maybe I'll do my whole batch then, all at once, and get the Zerust liners. So beyond that, is it normal to get rust in there or no, ie something was wrong with the socket when it was made?

 

[bchee]

Walmart sells the single Rust Shield made by 3-in-1.
I think it's less than $3.
It may or may not work but you could try it for not much money.
I don't know how the cost compares to Zerust liners.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5DLY2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[pipsters]

a manufacturing flaw could be the case. i've never had one just rust sitting in the drawer, they usually only rust after getting a bath by a hose or rain.

OK thanks that's what I was wondering. Maybe I can invoke the "satisfaction warranty" if they still sell my style of socket.

 

[pipsters]

Walmart sells the single Rust Shield made by 3-in-1.
I think it's less than $3.
It may or may not work but you could try it for not much money.
I don't know how the cost compares to Zerust liners.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5DLY2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's only a 90 day item though, and doesn't/won't cover the entire tool box. The Zerust drawer liners are a 5 year product and will pretty much line my tool box.

 

[Elroy]

Shoot a little silver paint in there then it will be just just like it came from Sears.

Yep, Brand new Craftsman sockets are painted on the inside.

Elroy said: Believe it

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Yep, Brand new Craftsman sockets are painted on the inside.

Elroy said: Believe it

i don't like the sound of that but Elroy is probably right.

 

[pipsters]

Is the electronic removal of rust OK on the chrome? Does it harm it at all?

I used the phosphoric acid on my wife's calipers, they came out fantastic and still 2 years later zero sign of rust, but would like to avoid baking my sockets if I can.

 

[Steevo]

I'd call it OCD

 

[Aberdale]

Even bare metal will not rust unless it is exposed to moisture and oxygen. A coating such as wax, paint, grease, or oil will limit the exposure and minimize or eliminate the rusting.

Question; are your tools stored in an unheated space that heats and cools down frequently? Cooling below the dew point, then warming back above will allow moisture in the air to condense on the warm side (outside) of your tools. If possible, store them inside in a heated area to keep condensation away. If that's not possible, then a protective coating such as wax, paint, grease, or oil are your friends.

Dale

 

[Gregg33]

Not sure where you live, but if you are from a northern climate where they use road salt and your tools are kept in a garage (where "salty" vehicles are kept). It could contribute to the problem, but most likely as others stated it's a problem with the finish. Probably the plating is too thin on those sockets.

 

[trout]

if it's just those few sockets it doesn't sound like an environmental factor or other exposure to water, most likely just flawed production. I'd return them, that's what the warranty is for.

 

[Skin]

Is the electronic removal of rust OK on the chrome? Does it harm it at all?

I used the phosphoric acid on my wife's calipers, they came out fantastic and still 2 years later zero sign of rust, but would like to avoid baking my sockets if I can.

Craftsman sockets dont appear to be chrome plated any longer. Somewhere in the last 10 years they simply started to nickel plate without the final chrome layer.

As far as rust goes, normal in my opinion especially with Cman sockets since its not uncommon to find the interior portions unevenly treated [if at all]. Most of my used sockets look like **** anyway from all the rusted fastners they've been on so seeing a little in the drive end wouldnt phase me one bit.

You get what you pay for. $1-$2 a socket is cheap money.

 

[pipsters]

Craftsman sockets dont appear to be chrome plated any longer. Somewhere in the last 10 years they simply started to nickle plate without the final chrome layer.

As far as rust goes, normal in my opinion especially with Cman sockets since its not uncommon to find the interior portions unevenly treated [if at all]. Most of my used sockets look like **** anyway from all the rusted fastners they've been on so seeing a little in the drive end wouldnt phase me one bit.

You pay for what you get. $1-$2 a socket is cheap money.

My screwdrivers and wrenches are nickle plated, but not shiny, the sockets look more like what I'd expect chrome to look like.

 

[Skin]

nickel plating is shiny just like chrome. Chances are you have pots and pans in your kitchen that are nickel plated. Its not too hard to tell the difference and indeed you may have sockets old enough that they were still using chrome but the newer ones are nickel only.

Take something you know is chrome like a high quality ratchet and take a socket and put them under a bright light source. The sheen of the ratchet will have a blue glow and anything nickel plated will have a warmer glow, almost yellowish.

By the way nickel plating isnt exactly a bad thing and can be extremely tough, when done correctly. Unfortunetly Cman sockets are still cheeply plated. But again, $1-$2 a socket, hard to complain.

 

[nate 11]

it's just a little rust and a tool, amn just use it......i agree with steevCD

 

[pipsters]

it's just a little rust and a tool, amn just use it......i agree with steevCD

A little rust doesn't hurt, my concern is controlling it and stopping additional rust from forming, especially because the rust was starting on the chrome part. I want these to be around a long time, and I'm really trying hard to keep them looking good. At one point I abused them, now I am trying to take care of my tools, not really baby them, but I'm trying to protect them as much as possible. I agree OCD, just making up for lost time.

 

[eyeboltman]

I have Cman in the celler .one 5-15 years the newones 3-5 years have small rust pits on some !1
newer sockets i have a few SO sockets and old and after 15 years still look new wrenches not chrome or paint have light rust ? I had a 300 piece set Cman in a shed in plymouth
ma in a summer camp in side a c man box i now have at work they look good I only spray them it the fall with wd-40 some other wrenches had small small rust spots Snap on tools were the best but pricey . I love tools

 

[Sparkfarmer]

If you can store them in a small enclosed box and put some desiccant packets to absorb any moisture I would think it would stop the rust completely without the mess of an oil based product.

 

[mrholeshot]

Just keep shoving a ratchet in it.

 

[rjohnson]

I've got brand new sockets that arrived rusted from Sears. They pliers (the non-pro ones) rust easily too. The pro pliers seem better. I'd just clean with an inhibitor and a small brush.

 

[pipsters]

If you can store them in a small enclosed box and put some desiccant packets to absorb any moisture I would think it would stop the rust completely without the mess of an oil based product.

That doesn't actually stop rust though. If you leave it too long it will actually become a source of moisture. The best solution is to either use moth balls or a product from Zerust that emits vapor, called VCI, that will cover the metal with rust inhibitors. It works well, and is non-toxic. I use it in my shotgun case to prevent rust from forming on the gun.

This particular product lasts 5 years:
http://www.zerustproducts.com/toolbox-tackle-box/drawer-liners

Moth balls emit the same chemical in the air.

 

[mkdive]

There are a multitude of sites that show how to create a very cheap Electrolysis tank. They can usually be created from stuff you already have laying around and they do dissolve rust from about anything.

Here is a thread I started about DIY electrolysis:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87841

 

[Sparkfarmer]

That doesn't actually stop rust though. If you leave it too long it will actually become a source of moisture. The best solution is to either use moth balls or a product from Zerust that emits vapor, called VCI, that will cover the metal with rust inhibitors. It works well, and is non-toxic. I use it in my shotgun case to prevent rust from forming on the gun.

This particular product lasts 5 years:
http://www.zerustproducts.com/toolbox-tackle-box/drawer-liners

Moth balls emit the same chemical in the air.

Cool!!
Its cheap too, I'm going to order some for my toolbox

Thanks

 

[pipsters]

Cool!!
Its cheap too, I'm going to order some for my toolbox

Thanks

Yeah it's not bad, for $5-$10/year to keep rust off of the tools, vs. spraying them down all the time, it's a no brainer.