How To Clean This Up

[DirtTime]

I forgot I found this last week walking the woods around the home until going through my pack.

I have a file I use to sharpen my hatchets and axe but no grinder or sander.

 

Any thoughts on how to get all the rust off?

 

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[Robhuntandfish]

An electrolysis tub would prob work the best but would think oven cleaner would prob work.

Guy at work does cast iron all the time in an electrolysis tub but unless you know someone that does it , for one piece it's not worth it. 

[Jeremy K]

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by Jeremy K

[rob-c]

If you were closer to me I would throw it in my sandblaster for ya..

[Buckmaster7600]

Wire wheel is where I would start.


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[DirtTime]

45 minutes ago, Robhuntandfish said:

An electrolysis tub would prob work the best but would think oven cleaner would prob work.

Guy at work does cast iron all the time in an electrolysis tub but unless you know someone that does it , for one piece it's not worth it. 

Yeah, I don't know anyone who can do that for me. Thanks for the tip though Rob.

30 minutes ago, Jeremy K said:

 

I was thinking the same thing he thought when he added the salt, until he explained. Will give this a shot as it seems cheap and easy. Thank you Jeremy.

15 minutes ago, rob-c said:

If you were closer to me I would throw it in my sandblaster for ya..

Much appreciated rob-c.

 

 

Normally, I would just bring this stuff home and toss it in the trash. Having a fire pit here, I figured I could clean this up, put a new handle on, and use it for a hatchet to keep at home instead of using my camping gear, and then forgetting to put it back in the box. 

[wooly]

Polish it up with a Dremel.

Then carve a big skull in it! That would be bad ass,lol

[DirtTime]

21 minutes ago, wooly said:

Polish it up with a Dremel.

Then carve a big skull in it! That would be bad ass,lol

You going to come here and lend me your dremel and bits to get it done? I like the skull idea! Maybe engrave the same skull on the new handle! That would be cool!

[WNYBuckHunter]

1 hour ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

Wire wheel is where I would start.


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Yep

[WNYBuckHunter]

Btw if you google electrolysis, you can make your own setup for not much money. It’s pretty easy. Like was said though, why bother for one small thing. Just use a wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder. No need to get complicated. 

[Lawdwaz]

Send it to me rob, I’ll hit it with my wire wheel. 

Flate rate box USPS and I’ll send it back. Return postage on me.......

[The_Real_TCIII]

If you remove that patina the American Pickers will throw a hissy fit

[Robhuntandfish]

8 hours ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

If you remove that patina the American Pickers will throw a hissy fit

exactly - right now its worth $8,000 .   Clean it up you wont be able to give it away. 

[philoshop]

A soak in Coke-Cola will take a lot of it off, then some coarse steel wool with some fresh Coke-Cola or WD40 and elbow grease.

[Doc]

What do you intend to use it for? If you are going to use it for its original purpose, simply put an edge on it and a handle and start whacking away. I mean, the metal is all pitted and will never look like new without putting more work into it than it is worth. And really in order to cut wood, it doesn't need to look like new. If you want to display it as some kind of keepsake or memento from the land, leave it alone and put it on display the way it is.

[dbHunterNY]

Rob it depends on how much time and money you want to invest in it. i'd first try the coke or salt and vinegar baths. if that doesn't work run right over to Harbor Freight and get a Made in China $20 4" angle grinder or better yet their belt sander to use to keep it and other things sharp. if i was around i'd help you out but i've been all over lately.

[DirtTime]

23 hours ago, Lawdwaz said:

Send it to me rob, I’ll hit it with my wire wheel. 

Flate rate box USPS and I’ll send it back. Return postage on me.......

If you are serious, I may take you up on that one Larry. 

[DirtTime]

On 4/6/2018 at 7:50 AM, philoshop said:

A soak in Coke-Cola will take a lot of it off, then some coarse steel wool with some fresh Coke-Cola or WD40 and elbow grease.

Does the new Coke work the same? I know the old stuff would eat the rust off pretty well. That's how my mom would get rust off things she found out in the woods. That's also why I do not drink Coke anymore. LOL!

[DirtTime]

On 4/6/2018 at 8:09 AM, Doc said:

What do you intend to use it for? If you are going to use it for its original purpose, simply put an edge on it and a handle and start whacking away. I mean, the metal is all pitted and will never look like new without putting more work into it than it is worth. And really in order to cut wood, it doesn't need to look like new. If you want to display it as some kind of keepsake or memento from the land, leave it alone and put it on display the way it is.

Just to chop wood. I was just looking for a way to clean it up a bit. Not make it all shiny, just get a bit of the rust off. 

[ncountry]

13 hours ago, Rob... said:

Just to chop wood. I was just looking for a way to clean it up a bit. Not make it all shiny, just get a bit of the rust off. 

Do what doc said. It will be cleaned up in no time.

[G-Man]

CLR cost you a couple bucks at your local.grocery store.. after that heat it up and blue it.. last for years.

Edited April 8, 2018 by G-Man

[DirtTime]

Got the stuff G-Man suggested and a wire brush. Minimal progress, but still progress. Pretty nice out so actually enjoying working on this.

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[DirtTime]

Done for today. I might pick up some course sandpaper and see how it goes. But not overly concerned or in a rush.

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[goosifer]

maybe try a flap disk on an angle grinder?

[MPHunter]

Looks like you got most of the rust with the CLR. I have never tried that.  I would've done a simple soak in a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water for a few hours then hit it with a wire brush and then steel wool. This won't address the pitting but will get rid of the rust. I have restored a bunch of old cast iron pans and after a soak in a lye bath to dissolve all the built up carbon/organic residues, the vinegar/water bath cleans up the rust nicely.