OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

-579 David Pickle <72233.2254@C...> 1970‑01‑01 Newbie bio - and electrolysis question

Hello, all...

I've been lurking for a few weeks and have greatly enjoyed this list.  Now I
feel the need to ask a question, so I decided to chime in and post my bio and
join in the fun.


<<<<< Start of newbie bio... >>>>>


My father passed away a few months ago, and I took posession of a modest
collection of fairly cheap p*w*r tools, which he didn't use all that much.  So,
I decided I would get into woodworking.  I never got started on any projects,
though, because I didn't have a decent bench, or a jointer or planer, and I knew
I would be very limited.  Of course, I didn't have money for these things,
either.  So, thought I, maybe I'll have to humble myself and buy a couple of
(ugh!) hand planes, just till I can afford (and have room for) all those really
cool tools.

So, I began prowling for Stanley planes, and have now become totally engrossed
in old tools, as you can all understand!  I have spent so much of my (limited)
spare time reading about, and searching for these things that I still haven't
used any of them yet.  Most of them haven't even been cleaned up yet.  I now
have a good starter set, so I better shift out of "acqusition" mode to "clean up
and use" mode.  BTW, one of my best finds so far has been a Stanley No. 7 in
-very nice- condition at a garage sale.  I asked "how much."  Young girl working
the sale thought for a second and said "$3."  I picked myself off the ground,
and said "I guess I'll take it."  So, I got the No. 7 for $3 and a 110 block
plane for 50 cents.

Not sure if I can call myself a galoot yet, but I betcha I will soon...

BTW, I am 34 Yrs. old, an electrical engineer for a gas pipeline co., and a
native-born resident of Tulsa, OK.  Married with two little ones.


<<<<<<  end of newbie bio, start of actual question... >>>>>


Anyway, I now have this small collection of user planes, and decided
to try electrolysis to de-rust them.  The problem is that the object being
cleaned turns very black, and I can't get the black off.  the rust is gone, but
the
solid black is not real appealing.  I've tried both baking soda and lye
solutions.  I get a good flow of current and lots of tiny bubbles.  I wonder if
my
electrode may be the problem.  I first tried a random piece of bent steel, then
a machine bolt.  Maybe I need stainless steel or cast iron.

Do I need to let it work longer?  Is this blackness the normal result? Must I
use sandpaper to remove the black?  If I have done it wrong, can I get the black
off the pieces I have tried it on?  Of course, I wisely tried it first on an
unimportant piece.  (Reference the 50 cent
Stanley 110 block plane mentioned in bio. heh, heh)

Thanks for listening to such a long post!

****************************************
*** David Pickle                                         *
*** Tulsa, OK                                             *
*** (918) 488-0029 or 591-2167             *
*** (918) 591-3167 fax                             *
****************************************
Yes, I know I am an electrical engineer, but NO, I can't fix your TV!


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Recent Bios FAQ