Cleaning Combination Squares

[Yadda]

 I cleaned these three squares this weekend.  They are still works in progress, but they already look much better and can now be used. Before and after shots.

The top square is a 8 inch Craftsman combination square.  Lots of pitting on the ruler, but now most of the rust is gone.  It will be fine for most normal usage.

The middle square is a Protractor Square by Mohawk Shelburne. Still needs some rust removal on the frame, but otherwise in good shape. 

The bottom combination square isn't branded, but it is interesting.  It has quarter inch markings enumerated in 32's of an inch.  Not often you see those numbers on inexpensive squares.  The Mohawk has the markings, but no numbers.

[Yadda]

Close ups of the two larger ones.

[lptools]

Hello, yadda. Nice job on the cleaning!! Would you like to share the process? Thanks, Lou

[Papaw]

Please share the process. I have several to clean up.

[Yadda]

1 gallon freezer bag
2 cups white vinegar
Place the ruler in the bag and make sure it stays covered in vinegar.

Soak overnight, scrub with a small brass bristle brush. Repeat the overnight soak for pitted rust. Use a dull knife blade to scrape larger spots. Wipe with old cloth in between scrubbings to check progress.

I used 1200 grit sandpaper with WD 40 sprayed on it on a flat surface to lightly sand the flat staight edges on the bodies.  I did not soak the bodies because I didn't want to chance problems with the acid in the vinegar on the paint or the bubbles.

After I finished, I sprayed all surfaces with WD40 and wiped the down.

Took a couple of days, but the total real time working was probably about an hour.

[lptools]

Hello, yadda. Thanks for sharing!! It's always hit or miss with those rulers, now I have a process to follow. Thanks again, Lou

[Northwoods]

I have cleaned a bunch of those that look like they deserve it.
Then mostly I give them away.

[papadan]

Abought time you did something....uh...oh ..Nice job Yadda! ;-)

[Bill Houghton]

My vinegar soak is similar but a bit different.  I've got various containers, of which probably the most often used is a plastic drywall "mud pan," like a big version of what you might use to make loaves of bread, but from plastic.  It'll take items up to a disassembled No. 5 jack plane.  For longer planes, I use a wallpaper soaking pan.  Put the item in, make sure the (white) vinegar covers it, go do other stuff for 24 hours.

After brushing off the rust with a brass wire brush, I rinse it thoroughly in running water, then hit the item hard with WD-40 and let it sit for a while.  We're dinosaurs - we still get paper newspapers - and a section of newspaper makes for a good place to put the tool parts for this WD-40 treatment.  Wipe the tool/tool parts down, reassemble as needed.

I've been told that I should neutralize the vinegar with a paste of baking soda, and I might even get around to trying that next time I'm cleaning up a tool.

If you're soaking a tool with brass parts, like the adjusting nut on a bench plane, remove the brass before putting the steel parts in vinegar.  The vinegar does not improve the brass.

[Northwoods]

Instead of newspapers, I use one of the wife's magazines.
When I'm done, I throw away a couple of pages, and then I'm good to go on the next project.
Who knows, I might even find a great recipe for green bean casserole.

[Yadda]

Abought time you did something....uh...oh ..Nice job Yadda! ;-)

Yeah, my wife said something similar. 

[Yadda]

I picked up several large framing squares for a buck each.   Typical combination of paint and rust on all of them.  What the heck is it about framing squares that attracts paint? My question is how to soak them? I considered using a large trash bag, but it would take a lot of vinegar.  I'm considering wrapping them in cheap paper towels and soaking the paper towels in vinegar, then wrapping it in plastic wrap.

Anyone with experience or suggestions?

[p_toad]

See if one of those christmas wrap plastic boxes with a lid is wide enough.  (or an "under bed" box)

[Yadda]

See if one of those christmas wrap plastic boxes with a lid is wide enough.  (or an "under bed" box)

Great ideas.  Thanks!

[Bill Houghton]

What the heck is it about framing squares that attracts paint?

People store them next to bench planes, which are well-known paint magnets.

My question is how to soak them? I considered using a large trash bag, but it would take a lot of vinegar.  I'm considering wrapping them in cheap paper towels and soaking the paper towels in vinegar, then wrapping it in plastic wrap.

No experience, but maybe get one of those big flat mixing tubs that people mix concrete and soil amendments in?  Like this:

Get it as close to level as you can, then pour in vinegar until it covers the square.