[TheForge] rusty hammers

[jerry Frost]

Naval Jelly works a treat just do not let it dry black. I soak pieces
completely submerged, you can dilute it, it just takes longer but that's
okay. When it's clean rinse and neutralize with baking soda. It'll need to
be oiled as soon as it dries or it'll start to rust immediately.

You can use phosphoric acid at about <30% but Naval Jelly has surfacants so
it wets better. I haven't tried adding a surfacant say "Jetdry" to
phosphoric acid, I'm not a chemist and it makes me jumpy. Be aware
concentrated phosphoric can react violently to concrete anything, with
calcium in it. Like bone.

Wear GOOD PPE and observe all safe handling practices for strong acids. You
know, gloves eye protection AND face shield, acid into water, NEVER water
into acid. Yes?

Another popular technique is electrolysis Basically suspend the rusty piece
from a wire in an electrolyte bath, water and baking soda works fine but
almost anything that dissolves in water will work: salt, vinegar, sugar,
various acids phosphoric is good, etc. Connect one pole of a battery /
trickle charger to the piece, the other pole to a sacrificial plate in the
bath. Turn it on and give it time. VIOLA the rust is returned to steel and
molecule for molecule where it was when it started rusting. Rinse, dry and
oil or it'll rust very quickly, you can watch it.

Sorry, I can't remember which pole is which and it matters. Electrolysis is
the process used to restore silver treasure from ship wrecks. See Mel
Fisher's site.

Frosty

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Mudge
Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2019 9:49 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] rusty hammers

I've been pretty much out of my forge for some time now. Rebuilding a house
by my self for the last 3 years and doing other stuff before that. Well the
house is nearly finished and I am looking forward to getting back into
blacksmithing. I have about 150 hammers and handled top and bottom tools as
well as a variety of hardy tools that have all become victims of the
Southeastern Louisiana humidity. (shop is not airtight) It only rained twice
this winter. Once for 45 days and then again for 35 days... :-)  All of
these tools and many more are rusty. I am looking for some way to remove or
otherwise neutralize the rust without having to power-wire brush each and
every one. I would be grateful for any and all suggestions.
dave m
list mom for TheForge

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