Tool Restoration

[Garufa]

No, not what you think so don’t even start.

I’ve had my Dad’s big old Craftsman toolbox full of tools for years.  It’s rare that I even look into it because I already have a decent collection of my own.  But today I needed 3/8 socket extension to reach a bolt that was about inaccessible. Looked in his toolbox and found exactly what I needed!

The state of those old tools is a disgrace. Most is old “real” Craftsman that really needs some attention.

What’s a good way to clean them up?

[RED333]

Elbow grease and a wad of aluminum foil.

[BigK]

Do you have an ultrasonic cleaner?

[gregintenn]

0000 steel wool then auto wax.

[10-Ring]

I use a penetrating oil like PB blaster to clean up stuff like that, it really cuts the grime.  Clean up any rust with steel wool. 

[Grayfox54]

I just used a wire brush on a bench grinder.  Quick and easy. 

[peejman]

7 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

I just used a wire brush on a bench grinder.  Quick and easy. 

This. Its really fast steel wool.  Car wax is a good idea. I usually just wipe down with a lightly oiled rag. 

We were at my wife's granddads house yesterday doing yard work (he's 97).  He's got a few hand tools in need of similar attention. 

[pop pop]

My toolbox needs a good cleaning and replacing all the odd and ins of tools I have collected for years. I don't put real good tools in it because I leave it in the back of my pick up all the time. If someone steals it, they would probably be doing me a favor. Then I would replace the tools in it, and the rusted Craftsman box itself. 

Who has the better cheap tools, Harbor Freight or Northern Tools? Just may get to fixing my problem like Garufa. 

[Grayfox54]

14 minutes ago, pop pop said:

Who has the better cheap tools, Harbor Freight or Northern Tools?

Neither. Its all cheap crap. 

I spent my life turning wrenches. Only buy quality tools. Your knuckles will appreciate it. 

 

[gregintenn]

17 minutes ago, pop pop said:

My toolbox needs a good cleaning and replacing all the odd and ins of tools I have collected for years. I don't put real good tools in it because I leave it in the back of my pick up all the time. If someone steals it, they would probably be doing me a favor. Then I would replace the tools in it, and the rusted Craftsman box itself. 

Who has the better cheap tools, Harbor Freight or Northern Tools? Just may get to fixing my problem like Garufa. 

Harbor Freight=cheaper

Northern Tool=better quality

[gregintenn]

1 minute ago, Grayfox54 said:

Neither. Its all cheap crap. 

I spent my life turning wrenches. Only buy quality tools. Your knuckles will appreciate it. 

 

If a man made his living with his tools, I would agree with you. There are a lot of guys like me who just need to put the occasional belt back on a mower or change a fuel filter, and don’t really need $20k worth of tools bouncing around in the truck.

[pop pop]

Grayfox, I would purchase good tools, however would need to secure them. got good socket sets under the truck seat but hand tools sit out in the back of my truck. Easy for someone to steal. 

[Erik88]

Harbor Freight is perfectly fine for certain things. I needed a set of Flare Nut wrenches I'm only going to use every few years. It made sense to buy them at H.F. 

 

Edited April 23, 2023 by Erik88

[gregintenn]

4 hours ago, Erik88 said:

Harbor Freight is perfectly fine for certain things. I needed a set of Flare Nut wrenches I'm only going to use every few years. It made sense to buy them at H.F. 

 

My theory is to buy a cheap tool. If I wear that out, break it, or it otherwise doesn’t perform satisfactorily I’ll replace it with a quality tool.

[-boatman-]

4 hours ago, Erik88 said:

Harbor Freight is perfectly fine for certain things. I needed a set of Flare Nut wrenches I'm only going to use every few years. It made sense to buy them at H.F. 

 

Agreed. If I think it may be a one time use or very seldom I'll go to harbor freight. If it's something that's going to get a lot of use I get quality. There are some things at harbor freight I would never buy because it may not last the one use. 

[BigK]

I've got more HF tools than anything else, but I'm picky about ratchets and driver bits (I can't stand chewed-up bits!). It doesn't have to be all or none. A mix of good and better tools works for me.

[Hozzie]

If they are rusty, Evapo-Rust is great.  You literally just drop them in the container and let them sit for a little while.  Just check them periodically to see how it is going.  It will discolor them a bit, but it will literally dissolve the rust down to the good metal.  Just rinse them off after and spray them with something like wd-40 and wipe them off.  

 

Edited April 23, 2023 by Hozzie

[Grunt67]

I've still got Craftsman tools I bought in '62. They still work & still clean. Army taught me, take care of your equipment, itll take care of you.

[Jeb48]

3 hours ago, Hozzie said:

If they are rusty, Evapo-Rust is great.  You literally just drop them in the container and let them sit for a little while.  Just check them periodically to see how it is going.  It will discolor them a bit, but it will literally dissolve the rust down to the good metal.  Just rinse them off after and spray them with something like wd-40 and wipe them off.  

 

I have used EvanRust it is amazing. after done and cleaned with a water a little light steel wool and done.  It is biodegradable and if you leave it sit after your done the rust sinks to the bottom and you can pour off the clean top fluid and use again.  Cheapest place I have seen to buy is Amazon delivered to the door, but lots of places carry it.