Rusty Tool Box Hinge Help!

[Jimthediyguy]

Hello. First post in this forum.

I have four tool boxes, three of which have piano hinges, two of which are rusty and are frozen.

What is the best way to get them moving? I've used penetrating oil and Evapo-Rust but this seems not to work.

The hinges are spot welded to the lids so I don't want to force them for fear of breaking the welds through the metal.

I've read of twisting the hinge wire out with a drill but those that have done so seem to think its too hard to get the wire back in.

I want to restore these boxes as they have sentimental value. Can anyone help?

 

[tonyciambrone]

Heat Gun or Blow Dryer would be my first thought besides oil. Have you tried a wire brush to remove some rust on the outside of the hinges?

 

[Charlie51]

Try Kroil. All penetrating oils are not created equally.

 

[Randy in Maine]

I use Gibbs Lubricant on mine to both free them up and to keep them free.

 

[Jimthediyguy]

Tonyciambrone, I have not tried heat. Have to check into that. Charlie51 and Randy in Maine, I have heard of Kroil but not Gibbs. Is there a local source for these. We have the typical walleye world and and depot stores along with several auto parts houses.
Checked online and can order. Looking for a local outlet. Like to keep my money local if I can.

As I said, these have sentimental value. That's the reason I want to restore them.

 

[jayoldschool]

Pour a couple 3l jugs of vinegar into a flat container. Place the toolbox hinge in the vinegar. Take it out the next day. The rust will be gone.

 

[CN Spots]

+2 on Kroll. If that fails, I've soaked rusted solid tools in vinegar for a few days and the rust just fell off and they freed up with little effort. Don't know if that's possible on your hinges though?

Jay beat me to it. lol

 

[Jimthediyguy]

I've read that vinegar is a good rust remover. Trying to find a pan big enough will be my problem. Top box is 30 inches. The lid is hinged on the back and front. The front hinge is attached to the front cover that covers the drawers. Can soak one side then the other I guess.

 

[FJ 432]

This has worked for me in the past.

Lubricate
Get a punch to drive pin out a bit and grip with vise grips to turn.
Once/if loosened use electric/cordless drill to try and spin the pin.

Sometimes you just need to continue to drive the pin out with a punch.

 

[apollo11]

try a mix acetone and ****** fluid

 

[VR6ix]

Tap the parts lightly when you're soaking them. It will help break the rust and allow the penetrating oil to attack new rust. Be patient and keep tapping them, apply new penetrate, wait for it to soak, tap again... apply heat to make the metal expand and hopefully break more rust bonds... etc.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Pour a couple 3l jugs of vinegar into a flat container. Place the toolbox hinge in the vinegar. Take it out the next day. The rust will be gone.

this. vinegar has worked wonders for me derusting parts

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I've read that vinegar is a good rust remover. Trying to find a pan big enough will be my problem. Top box is 30 inches. The lid is hinged on the back and front. The front hinge is attached to the front cover that covers the drawers. Can soak one side then the other I guess.

yes. you could knock together a 2x4 frame and line it with a plastic tarp or bag and make a temporary soaking tray. do one side at a time.

Or, if you could fit the whole box in trash can you can immerse it all in vinegar, as I'm sure there is other rust than just the hinges. You could also just put in like 5 gal of vinegar and then drop in a fountain pump with a hose and use it to recirculate the solution and wash over the parts. Might need more time in the barrel.

 

[Jimthediyguy]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Got to try 'em out now. Let y'all know how it turns out.