Arbor fitness

[mickyd]

A 'better' 'solution' if it be rust, is to submerge it in evaporust overnight. Minimal abrasives use is preferable IMHO. If it is scratched or has a burr, then abrasives or filing IS required. Evaporust is cheaper by the gallon at HF.

I'll second that motion.

[robinson46176]

I would only use sandpaper as a last resort then very lightly. I prefer to use coarse steel wool for such cleaning. It is hard enough to cut the gunk or rust but will not cut into the steel (unless you really get silly with it).
Note: do not just shove the steel wool up against the spinning arbor, it may well grab it and spin it in your hand.
Another good option is wire brushing. I use a wire wheel a lot cleaning up steel tools etc. For down in an arbor bore hole a plumbers wire brush works well. You can get them in different sizes. I keep them in the farm shop for cleaning the insides of the old common battery terminals.
http://www.brushescorp.com/Fitting_Brushes.htm
Another note: In his more advanced years my father really ruined a bunch of old antique wood and steel hand tools by rather severely "cleaning" them on a power wire wheel. Ate the wood badly but he could not see it well.