Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - cleaning old metal files of rust

hi..I have a bunch of my grandpa's old tools. And there are a lot of real cool metal files of all sizes and shapes and grits. I want to clean them. They are old and yucky and rusty.I want to be able to use them to clean and sharpen old shovels and to remove rust and what not.. Soooo how do I clean the files? They are thick and heavy.. some I would say are over 50 years old . If not for use ,well I just like keeping his things in the house. I have alot of his tools up on my walls in my kitchen.I like to display them. Now I don't have a grinding wheel and don't have the money to run out to the store to buy expensive products to do the job for me. I want to do everything the old fashion way. Just to degunk and renew them..I'm proud of the way he did everything from scratch.I wish there were more men like him..A Jack of all trades.

There are many products that work for rust removal.

Naval Jelly and CLR are probably the most widely used.

Hardware stores and automotive stores will have what you need. Follow the directions carefully and wear PPE (gloves, etc). Soaking and light scrubbing with a brass brush (looks like a toothbrush) should clean them right up. These cleaners often need to be neutralized by an alkali like a baking soda + water rinse. Dry them quickly and lubricate them with oil, brushing it into the surface before wiping off the excess. Boeshield T-9 is a rust inhibitor that is touted to be one of the best. You might find it in a top-of-the-line woodworking store, or automotive store. Some woodworkers protect their table saw tops, jointers and such with it.

Depending on how rusty they are, however, the files may have become dulled by the oxidation. But using grandpa's old tools has some nostalgic benefits. Our grandparents were in a league of their own. Good luck.

the rust is metal that has become oxidized. So what that means is some of the actual metal will be removed when yo uclean them (not that leaving it would help either though). A file needs to be sharp to be usable. The rust takes away that sharpness.

here is a site that removes rust using elecrolytic action.http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

You can google "electrolytic derusting" to find a lot of sites that explain that process.

the rust is metal that has become oxidized. So what that means is some of the actual metal will be removed when yo uclean them (not that leaving it would help either though). A file needs to be sharp to be usable. The rust takes away that sharpness.

here is a site that removes rust using elecrolytic action.http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

You can google "electrolytic derusting" to find a lot of sites that explain that process.

thank you nap.. I didn't know any of that..thanks for the sites.. I'll check them out.

There are many products that work for rust removal.

Naval Jelly and CLR are probably the most widely used.

Hardware stores and automotive stores will have what you need. Follow the directions carefully and wear PPE (gloves, etc). Soaking and light scrubbing with a brass brush (looks like a toothbrush) should clean them right up. These cleaners often need to be neutralized by an alkali like a baking soda + water rinse. Dry them quickly and lubricate them with oil, brushing it into the surface before wiping off the excess. Boeshield T-9 is a rust inhibitor that is touted to be one of the best. You might find it in a top-of-the-line woodworking store, or automotive store. Some woodworkers protect their table saw tops, jointers and such with it.

Depending on how rusty they are, however, the files may have become dulled by the oxidation. But using grandpa's old tools has some nostalgic benefits. Our grandparents were in a league of their own. Good luck.

Thank you for all the info..i want to make sure to preserve them.They bring alot of great memories to mind. I will be careful with the chemicals..and clean them very gently..