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Hello folks, I have my first machine ever a Singer 7-34 with small feet that I want to clean and sell. It was sold to me dipped and stripped of paint. Over the past 20 years it has developed rust, even after applications of wax. My question is. Can I dip the whole machine in an electrolysis bath to clean? Should I remove the hook first. Any input would be welcomed. It runs well and smooth, but I would like it show nicely for the next set of hand to use. cheers and thanks, James

Hi! I'm a new member who's returning to leathercraft after a thirty-year gap. I have a huge collection of tools from 'way back and, of course, most of them are rusty. I've managed to salvage a lot of them by using fine steel wool, a toothbrush and a soft cloth, but many of my good figure carving stamps are still pretty rusty. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a way of getting the rust off my tools so they might be usable again. I don't suppose there's a way of getting them re-plated once this has been done? I know I can't restore the tools to new condition, but they cost a lot thirty years ago and I doubt I could afford to replace them all at today's prices! Please help if you have any good ideas!

I came across a batch of old rusty leather working tools (various stamps, edgers, etc. - 26 pieces in total). I have two main issues on which I would appreciate some of your ideas: 1. identifying the intended use of particular tools 2. getting them back to performance Looks like a belt end punch with a slot ... but is closed at the back, so it is something else, I guess ... Looks like an edge beveler ... but the grooves are upside down, and there is no groove in the front - it ends with a point Looks like a round stylus of sorts ... but way oversized (the grid is 1cm x 1cm, or about 3/4"), so maybe for stamping ball imprints? And this is a batch of what looks like stamps, punchers or cutters. Leaf and flower designs, oversized again. Were they used for cutting out patterns, or for stamping their shape? Has anybody seen something like this before, and knows for what products/style they were used? There are other tools as well, but I did not include them here because they kind of make sense to me already, and there is a limit on total files upload size. The second issue is more practical ... how to restore them? Rust is heavy. I was thinking of using distilled vinegar, and afterwards oiling and scrubbing them with steel wool. Sharpening would probably be done by using sandpaper on a stick. Any experience?

Hello I am soaking some e-bay Craftool stamping tools in Evaporust right now to get rid of some slight surface rusting and clean them up. I am wondering if I should coat the tool in anything after...oil, wax etc to protect the tool from rusting again but also without staining the leather. If it were a woodworking tool I would use a light coating of 3in1 or WD40. I also have some spray coating, Boesheild T9, for cast iron table protection on my table saw etc. that leaves a waxy coating. http://boeshield.com/ Also some of the tools have their plating chipped off. I am especially disappointed in a nice small bevelller; it has lost a good 2/3rds of its plating. Is the tool toast or can I use it as normal? Thanks for your thoughts.