New shop toy and rust removal results

[MBAtarga]

With woodworking as a hobby over the past 20 years, I've managed to fill my shop basement with just about everything I need for making furniture and other projects. I've had some interest in adding some metal working equipment and lucked into a deal this month.

I just purchased a used Smithy 3 in 1 (Mill/Lathe/Drill Press) that had rust on all exposed metal due to a shop fire where some PVC pipe burned. The previous owner had let it sit for several years with no treatment. I did a web search for rust removal and found links to a product called Evapo-rust. The web site for this product is not very professional - looks like a middle-school student put this thing together. The mfr claims this stuff is used on car restorations as well as rust removal from just about anything. Anyway, I did further web research and found some forums where it was discussed and sounded like it was worth a try. I ordered some from a local distributor and have used it over the past week to clean up the machine.

First I used an old wood chisel to scrap off the top layer of rust, dust and dirt from the parts that were rusted. Then soaked those parts in the Evapo-rust product for a couple of hours. Aside from using a toothbrush on the more stubborn areas and the nooks and crannies, I only used a paper towel to wipe down the parts after soaking for a few hours. I give you the results:


To cleain up the painted parts of the machine, I used WD40 and Goof-Off. The best part is, I paid $100 for the machine and shipping was $0, as my brother-in-law was able to pick it up in Orlando on his return trip to Atlanta after a cruise out of Port Canaveral.

Now I've got to decide on projects to put this thing to use!

[Joeaksa]

Very nice! Will be in Atlanta in the next few weeks and would give you... oh... $150 for it immediately!

If you need projects for it, sure your friends will find them. I just bought a small lathe myself and funny how everyone needs something made all of a sudden!

JoeA

[azasadny]

Beautiful! Looks like new again!!

[cstreit]

So the stuff really works! Can you spray/brush it on, or do the parts have to sit in it?

[MBAtarga]

Chris,

The liquid is about the consistency of radiator coolant - liquid, not a gel. According to the mfr, the solution needs to stay in complete contact with the rusted area for it to work. The easiest means of use is to have the parts soak. The mfr offers a "patch" system, consisting of a fabric/pad with a vinyl/plastic sheet and four magnets. The distributor salesman I spoke to explained that the pad is soaked in the solution and placed over the rusted area, is then covered with the vinyl/plastic sheet and the four magnets are then placed around the patch to lessen evaporation and keep pressure against the pad. I'm pretty certain something highly absorbant, like a diaper, could be used in the same manner with a plastic bag and some magnet strips and would do the same thing.

For the lathe ways, I dabbled the solution on with a toothbrush and was able to "pool" the liquid over the entire length and let it set for about an hour. I think because the surface was horizontal and relatively smooth, this worked well. If the surface had been badly pitted (or certainly vertical), this wouldn't have worked.