Shopsmith Forums

After seeing the amazing rust removal that Mike and others have done, I decided that I would try my hand at it. My patient will be ER #56112. I am not going for a full restoration, Just going to clean it up a little while I wait 14 days for a new motor from Harbor Freight ( $69.00 what a deal! ) Thanks to all that have posted tips, ideas, and photos. I have used your ideas. As an electrode I used half of an old post hole digger.
Mark

[ATTACH]7249[/ATTACH]
"The Patient" in foreground

[ATTACH]7250[/ATTACH]
My boiling bucket- picture is blurry, but you get the idea.

But..but..but...what's cookin' in the bucket??

Hey Mike!
I'm cooking up some tail--tailstock that is! Is it possible to overcook it? It only had light rust. I was thinking I would let it cook til morning -16 hours. After I pull it out, how long do I have to prime/paint?
Mark

mark-b wrote:Hey Mike!
I'm cooking up some tail--tailstock that is! Is it possible to overcook it? It only had light rust. I was thinking I would let it cook til morning -16 hours. After I pull it out, how long do I have to prime/paint?
Mark

Yummy!!! Sounds good. Time to throw in some carrots and onions.

You can't overcook ferrous (iron) materials. It's safe. You can paint as soon as it's cleaned off and dried.

Thanks!
I cooked it 5 hours and turned it around a little. Not sure how many amps. I'm getting as my chargers don't work well if they try to charge something that has less than 2-3 volts. She should be done in the morning.
Mark

mark-b wrote:Thanks!
I cooked it 5 hours and turned it around a little. Not sure how many amps. I'm getting as my chargers don't work well if they try to charge something that has less than 2-3 volts. She should be done in the morning.
Mark

As long as you can see bubbles forming, your good. Low amperage is fine.

Can you describe your anode (red/pos)? I see what looks to be a rod going into the lower bottom of the bucket. What material? What geometry?

What kind of electrolyte broth are you using? Washing soda / baking soda / cooked baking soda?

Good Morning!
My electrode in the bucket is 1/2 of a post hole steel digger. I drilled a hole through it, wire brushed for a good connection, and ran a bolt with a washer. My mix is 1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda. I need to get some sheet steel for my electrode so that my line of sight os 360 degrees. It has been soaking all night, will post results when I pull it out.
Mark

CAN I USE GALVANIZED SHEET METAL AS AN ELECTRODE?

I too tried the process on an old flea market block plane. Used a five gallon plastic bucket and bought a piece of 12X18 sheet steel for the electrode. the sheet could be curved to the inside of the bucket and gave much more "line of sight" to the tool.
Only problem was that I had to buy another (cheaper) manual charger. The one I had was automatic and would not work.
Turned out beautifully after about 3 hours. I now see the old rusty tools at the antique malls in a totally different light !

mark-b wrote:Thanks!
I cooked it 5 hours and turned it around a little. Not sure how many amps. I'm getting as my chargers don't work well if they try to charge something that has less than 2-3 volts. She should be done in the morning.
Mark

So add a battery to the circuit in parallel(observe polarity). As mentioned, the older non intelligent chargers(power supply) work(.)!

BTW You do not need that much washing soda in 5 gal bucket. All it does is make the water conductive! A little is all it takes.

mark-b wrote:After seeing the amazing rust removal that Mike and others have done, I decided that I would try my hand at it. My patient will be ER #56112. I am not going for a full restoration, Just going to clean it up a little while I wait 14 days for a new motor from Harbor Freight ( $69.00 what a deal! ) Thanks to all that have posted tips, ideas, and photos. I have used your ideas. As an electrode I used half of an old post hole digger.
Mark

[ATTACH]7249[/ATTACH]
"The Patient" in foreground

[ATTACH]7250[/ATTACH]
My boiling bucket- picture is blurry, but you get the idea.

Mark Where can I find a description of the rust remover? How to build and how it works. Thanks!