Thread: Removing Rust from Tools

After reading the article by Kevin Chamberlain in issue 40 of Australian Wood Review I decided to have a bash at the electrolysis method described.

I had no trouble finding Lectric Soda in the supermarket. It has wonderful original retro advertising on the bag. Approximately $2.00. (Can't find the docket to confirm this.)

Mixed up the electrolyte in a plastic bucket big enough to fully immerse a tenon saw blade, with handle and back removed. ( I also did the back in the same set up.)

My battery charger is a 1 amp plug-pack job. Although Kevin suggests a 2 amp output I thought it was worth a try with the smaller unit.

The positive electrode was a 25 x 4 mm piece of stainless long enough to reach the bottom of the bucket.

A nice stream of fine bubbles from both the positive electrode and the saw blade confirmed that things were happening.

After about three hours i removed the blade and gave it a quick scrub with scotchbrite. Absolutely magic!!! All major rust gone and a nice patina left to show a well used and aged tool.

I also tried the process on a toolmakers clamp. For this job I stripped the clamp down and wired all the components together with heavy copper wire before immersing. No problems.

I can thoroughly reccommend this method. My charger got fairly hot but it has an overload cut-out and this was not tripped. I suspect that larger items than a tenon saw blade may require a larger battery charger or weaker electrolyte and more time.

Has anyone else tried this method?