Snap On Adjustable Wrench Find

[KDoug]

Hi,

I found this Snap On adjustable wrench yesterday while I was doing some work at a house. I saw a bunch of tools laying in a puddle of water all rusted badly. I happened to spot this wrench because the chrome on it was still in fair shape. I washed the mud off it and couldn't believe it was a Snap On wrench. I took it home and got the jaws moving after about a half hour of lightly tapping it and a lot of WD-40 and PB Blaster.

The model is AO10 or maybe A010 and is 250mm long (10 inch) I know Snap Ons adjustable wrenches are now all Bahco rebrands I believe. Is there a way to date this? It doesn't look that old, I'm guessing 10-15 years old. What's the best/easiest way to knock some of the rust off? Vinegar?

Thanks

 

[KDoug]

Here's the model:

 

[seber]

There are several good methods but vinegar is the safest and easiest way. It generally takes two days with cleaning grade vinegar. The good thing about the slow process is you can rinse and check at any time to prevent going too far.

 

[lugnut71]

Number is ad10, I own few , awesome wrenches, prefer over newer models

 

[plinker]

Look like the date code is by the USA stamp.

I would abrasive blast it carefully myself. But since not everyone is me, soak it and try a wire brush first. A dremel brush would work well on the knurl once it's removed. Wolfcraft made nylon brushes that are good for this type of thing as well.

 

[tractorpaul]

Watch scoutcrafter on ytube he restores many hand tools to better than newcondition

 

[KDoug]

Number is ad10, I own few , awesome wrenches, prefer over newer models

Thanks, couldn't read what the second letter was. Probably going to start with a soak in cleaning grade vinegar first. I have used electrolysis in the past for non-plated adjustable wrenches and they have come out great. But I read that it is not supposed to be used on chrome because it will produce hexavalent chromnium which is toxic.

Looks like in good used condition, this wrench on EBay goes for around $45.

 

[KDoug]

Look like the date code is by the USA stamp.

I would abrasive blast it carefully myself. But since not everyone is me, soak it and try a wire brush first. A dremel brush would work well on the knurl once it's removed. Wolfcraft made nylon brushes that are good for this type of thing as well.

Sorry, I've never really done any sandblasting. When you say abrasive blast, what are you talking about here, an actual sandblaster or a smaller machine for things like this.

I've also been curious how well Evaporust or something similar like that works. Anybody have any experience?

 

[Shelbylex]

Evaporust works well. I use it periodically to restore tools. Be aware that sometimes on high carbon iron it will leave the surface a little black - have to get rid of it with gentle steel brush.
I used to have some rapid appearance of surface rust on some of the tools when I started - solver the problem with using hairdryer: right after taking the staff out, washing and slight wirebrushing (if needed), I now dry the product and warmed up tool also helps water evaporate out of tiny holes which were left moist.

 

[plinker]

Sorry, I've never really done any sandblasting. When you say abrasive blast, what are you talking about here, an actual sandblaster or a smaller machine for things like this.

I've also been curious how well Evaporust or something similar like that works. Anybody have any experience?

Abrasive blasting is the "proper" term for sand blasting, as in the abrasive media is usually something other then sand. (glass bead or crushed, garnet, aluminum, nut shell, baking soda, etee.., silica sand is dangerous to use/breathe in)

A speedblaster is a smaller handheld unit that works ideal for small projects. HF and others have smaller blasting cabinets as well.

 

[KDoug]

Watch scoutcrafter on ytube he restores many hand tools to better than newcondition

Thanks for sharing, just watched a couple of his videos. He does a great job.

 

[plumber84]

The first Bahco adjustable of Swedish heritage started to appear in 2005, when USA model number AD6-AD12 were superseded by the Bahco variants; AD6A-AD12A, in 2017 they in turn were superseded by the now Spanish made AD6B-AD12B. The only noticeable aside from having Sweden forged into the wrench is that they now have Spain stamped into them

 

[plumber84]

I meant 2001

 

[cjarvis]

I'd use evaporust as well. The black coating is a bonus if you're cleaning up impact tools. I picked up 6 Snap On impact extensions that were a little rusty for $10 at a pawn shop. a few days in evaporust and you'd have to look closely to tell that they weren't new.

 

[KDoug]

The first Bahco adjustable of Swedish heritage started to appear in 2005, when USA model number AD6-AD12 were superseded by the Bahco variants; AD6A-AD12A, in 2017 they in turn were superseded by the now Spanish made AD6B-AD12B. The only noticeable aside from having Sweden forged into the wrench is that they now have Spain stamped into them

Thanks, that was helpful. Next question, should I cover the container or leave it open using vinegar?

 

[rick carpenter]

If you use vinegar, when you take it out be sure to neutralize it immediately. Then blow it, douse with WD-40, blow it, and oil it.

 

[KDoug]

Forgot to post the final product. Left the wrench in cleaning vinegar for two days, one day should have been enough though. This is my first time using cleaning vinegar so I'll know for next time. It works okay, but the vinegar finished off what was left of the thumb screw spring, so the wrench jams up a little bit. Thanks for the comments/info.

 

[Cgw1984]

I use glass media. But i am not really looking to restore a tool, but to make it presentable, and usable.

https://ibb.co/hDRj332
https://ibb.co/9YxsCD9

 

[sberry]

I might get it working, then spray it with some penetration spray and use it till it cleans up.

 

[lardy1]

Another voice for Evaporust. Amazing stuff.

 

[Ton ton]

Nice, I wish I had a USA made Snappy. The Spanish made ones are supposedly lighter weight Wise than the USA made ones.