Shopsmith Forums

Been traveling like mad, glad to be back for a bit and able to bug you guys with questions. :-)

On small parts like arbors and some of the lathe items, I clean them up and they turn silver. I dont believe they are supposed to be silver? What is used to protect those items? Is it bluing? (SP) like for weapons?

Thanks!

hohenfelsjoe wrote:Been traveling like mad, glad to be back for a bit and able to bug you guys with questions. :-)

On small parts like arbors and some of the lathe items, I clean them up and they turn silver. I dont believe they are supposed to be silver? What is used to protect those items? Is it bluing? (SP) like for weapons?

Thanks!

The 'black' parts are covered with black oxide of iron.(rust) Abrasion or other rust removal methods remove it. Waxing will protect the 'silver' finish from future rusting.

The older manufacturers did not black oxide these parts. SS inc started doing so. The black oxide does not contribute to the functionality of the parts.

So wax em and move on!!!;)

OK then, Wax on....Wax off

I've taken several old & rusted arbors, lathe spurs, 12" disks, even the exposed ends of the quill feed assembly, and after cleaning off the rust and finishing with 220 and 320, I use Casey's Perma Blue. This is a cold blue. The parts must be cleaned throughly with acetone, and then I apply the Perma Blue with soft cloth. The parts look almost new when finished.

8iowa wrote:I've taken several old & rusted arbors, lathe spurs, 12" disks, even the exposed ends of the quill feed assembly, and after cleaning off the rust and finishing with 220 and 320, I use Casey's Perma Blue. This is a cold blue. The parts must be cleaned throughly with acetone, and then I apply the Perma Blue with soft cloth. The parts look almost new when finished.

8iowa, this is the same stuff we use to reblue weapons. How is it holding up so far?