Old tools with paint - what do I do?

[Tastech]

I forgot to mention , I use acid to remove rust and any other crap that is on them . 

Below are some photos of what each step looks like . the first is a rusted hammer head . the second is the hammer head out of the acid and finished with a wire wheel on a bench grinder . The third is the hammer after it has been ground back , linished and mechanically polished . The grinding and polishing takes about 1.5 hours . Heel irons take about 20 mins 

Also a i found some picks of my last batch of irons i got . First one as i got them , second cleaned and linished irons and stripped and ready for painting handles . the finnished product are in my previous photos .

[stampingdelight]

17 minutes ago, Tastech said:

I forgot to mention , I use acid to remove rust and any other crap that is on them . 

Below are some photos of what each step looks like . the first is a rusted hammer head . the second is the hammer head out of the acid and finished with a wire wheel on a bench grinder . The third is the hammer after it has been ground back , linished and mechanically polished . The grinding and polishing takes about 1.5 hours . Heel irons take about 20 mins 

Also a i found some picks of my last batch of irons i got . First one as i got them , second cleaned and linished irons and stripped and ready for painting handles . the finnished product are in my previous photos .

how cool to be able to clean up tools so well, what kind of acid 

[Tastech]

@ stampingdelight .Its called phosphoric acid. I noticed that most hardware store rust converters contain a high percentage of phosphoric acid. I had some laying around that i used for cleaning tile grout after tiling my bathroom and thought what can it hurt trying . It worked really well so now its all i use . Its much cheaper than rust converter . About $40 a gallon in Australia . I get it from a cleaning supplies wholesaler around the corner . They supply cleaning chemicals and product to commercial cleaners and detergents and stuff like that to restaurants . I used to be a stainless steel fabricator and noticed that phosphoric acid was in some of the weld cleaners i used . Its is also contained in stainless steel passivators  which removes any iron on a freshly polished piece of stainless so it doesn't rust in a marine environment . One very important thing to be aware of is . Always wear gloves , simple nitrile gloves work fine  and always protect your eyes . Phosphoric acid can absorb into your skin where it accumulates in your bones and makes them brittle . Like osteoporosis on steroids. So the safety sheets say . Use with caution .   

[SUP]

@Tastech I do not have any of those tools or space to work with acids and other chemicals.  I need to do everything by hand, at home. Leatherwork is a new hobby for me.

So it will have to be things like spirit and  steel wool  to get them clean. I should be able to separate the handles - f not I can request my friendly neighborhood cutler. I will probably have to go the primer, paint path since I do not plan to make shoes but I will get inventive.

Old tools, especially leather ones,  are unfortunately  difficult to resist. Then caring for them is another issue altogether. But I think you understand where I'm coming from, since you apparently also have a collection that you rarely use, in spite of being a shoe maker.

Your tools look lovely, by the way.

Edited May 3, 2024 by SUP

[stampingdelight]

30 minutes ago, Tastech said:

@ tastech

thanks 

[Tastech]

@ Sup , I do what i do because i have the means to do and i enjoy the process and i like the finished product. If you don't have the tools and equipment to do it them just clean them up and oil the steel so they don't deteriorate  and just admire them for their former past glory and place in the history of shoe making . Understand someone has spent countless hours with those tools in their hand and i believe that imparts a part of their soul in them . Don't paint the irons .

Do a search on ebay for antique cobblers tools and you will see a lot  come up. Some in very crappy condition and many in my view over priced . But they are collectible and sought after but no one really uses them any more . I have once to make a pair of shoes for myself using completely traditional methods and i enjoyed it . But with no reference on how to use them properly i am sure i got a lot of things wrong . But i just love old cobblers tools and try to save them when i can .  The walls in my shop are full of old tools that i have collected and don't use but i just love having them around watching over me like  angels . My customers are fascinated with them  . I have only every had one guy come in who knew what everything was and its purpose . He was a 90 year old Hungarian guy . He told that he felt like he was amongst old friends when he saw them  and spent about 2 hours studying every tool . I really get where he was coming from because i feel the same . 

Enjoy your tolls SUP and when you are ready pass them on to someone who is worthy .

[SUP]

@Tastech you describe very eloquently how I feel about old tools, and not just old tools, old furniture, old well-used recipe books, and so many other things, lovingly made or used. I  will do as you suggest with these tools. I will clean them, wax them (I make a blade wax which keeps my blades free of rust in the high humidity that I live in, so evidently effective) and admire them (which I do anyway).  I got these for a song. I do not pay eBay prices, they are ridiculous except for rare instances. My tools will stay with me my entire life. After that, yes, to someone who will love and care for them.

It must have been wonderful talking to the Hungarian gentleman. All that knowledge! I hope you picked up a lot of information from him.                   

[fredk]

Try letting them soak in lemon juice for a few hours

[stampingdelight]

@fredk have to keep in mind to try 

[SUP]

@fredk Yep. I'll do that. But first, need to get them out of the wooden handles.