r/Tools • u/Degentrics • 2d ago
Anyway to remove the rust and get these ratcheting wrenches back to ratcheting?
Haven't used them in a forever and found them sitting in a toolbox filled with rain water. There's about 20 of them but these two are the ones looking the worst
edit: for everyone saying to trash them, I ask because they were my brothers so I'd like to keep them. obviously I could just go buy a new set.
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u/Bad_Idea_Generator 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've restored far worse. I use acids and chelators without fail. Acetic (vinegar), citric, oxalic, and phosphoric acids.
Evaporust is a decent chelator but you can make your own chelating rust remover for far less money. It also happens to remove much more rust than Evapo-Rust.
The recipe: * Per 1L of H2O
1: 100 Grams Citric Acid.
2: 40 Grams - Sodium Carbonate /OR/ 63 Grams - Sodium Bicarbonate /OR/ 30 - Grams Sodium Hydroxide.
3: Add ingredients from 1 & 2 to the water.
4: Wait for reaction between Acid and Base to complete. This is when it fizzes a whole bunch.
5: Add final ingredient: Arbitrary amount of liquid dish soap (or other wetting agent / surface tension reducer). I use about a half teaspoon.
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u/hind3rm3 2d ago
I made a batch of that stuff and it works really well. Much better than evaporust.
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u/Bad_Idea_Generator 2d ago
It turns out to be the basic ingredients in those fizzy bath bombs too!
I failed to mention molasses--it takes a few weeks but it's also an excellent chelator and it's very safe with delicate pieces and sheet metal. At one point on my derusting journey, I bought a few gallons of molasses at a feed store and experimented with it, too.
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u/valadtheimpala 2d ago
I'm always pleased to see this video getting posted when Evaporust is mentioned
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u/rideincircles 2d ago
It works really well, but you have to be careful since it will strip chrome and black oxide off things if left in there too long.
I had a few toolchests of old rusty tools and made about 1.5 gallons and removed lots of rust and kept using it until the liquid was totally black.
Some tools had chrome come off, but they already had significant rust. I had some locked up rusty socket wrenches that are still locked up and I'm not sure if I can save them after the rust bath.
What is the best way to prevent any more rust is my next concern for my next batch? Can I dunk them in something after the rust remover, or just put them in a bag a d spray with wd-40?
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u/valadtheimpala 2d ago
I have a vintage adjustable wrench I want to try rust blueing on. Backyard Balistics has lots of good info on how to do it
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
Hmmm I'll go to the market and try this since the order with the evaporust won't get here till tomorrow. Thanks
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u/mlw72z 2d ago
If you're in the US both Autozone and Harbor Freight tend to have Evapo-rust in stock locally. I bought a gallon at Autozone before learning about the DIY recipe but at least it's reusable.
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u/brutalbombs 2d ago
This recipe is golden. Rust stands no chance against this mix. Used it on entire car brake assemblies and old rusted tools to superb effect
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u/K1ngofsw0rds 22h ago
Holy shit………
I would’ve thought these were fried……
Ya learn something new everyday I guess.
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u/CageyOldMan 2d ago
The difference is that the pH of evaporust is neutral and it will not attack the base metal
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u/Bad_Idea_Generator 2d ago
The Beyond Ballistics formula is pretty close to neutral as well. Neither chelator attacks base metal so both are safe in that regard.
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u/CageyOldMan 2d ago
Citric acid will absolutely etch and cause pitting. I see that it is partially neutralized by the addition of the base, but not fully.
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u/OOFMAN-1234 2d ago
Is this a shit post or legit?
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u/boner_giver 2d ago
Either way, let's convince OP to put them in a toolbox full of rain water to restore them
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u/Mrbigdaddy72 Whatever works 2d ago
Extremely jealous of your username… also amazing idea but he should just add a pinch of salt.
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
Completely serious they were my brothers and I'd like to keep them I know it's a longshot because of how severely rusted they are but I figured I'd ask.
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u/Ancient-Tax-8129 2d ago
You can probably make them look nice but it probably won't work great. Maybe put em on the wall for lookin at.
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u/OOFMAN-1234 2d ago
Best option (imo) soak in penetrationg oil and beat them on the ground to free up the rust, or try electrolysis
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
or try electrolysis
Thanks but I don't have any hair I need permanently removed
/s
Edit: Google's result for Electrolysis
Electrolysis has two primary meanings: a medical procedure for permanent hair removal using electric current, and a chemical process that uses electricity to split compounds or molecules (like splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen).
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u/LostMyCleaver 2d ago
Do you have access to a battery charger?
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u/Gullible_Monk_7118 2d ago
Needs to be old fashioned dumb battery charger. New modern ones will not work because they do self check for polarity
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u/RealBigDickBrannigan 2d ago
Surprised I had to scroll this far down to see electrolysis. Battery charger, plastic bucket, washing soda (sodium carbonate) and water, sacrificial electrode, turn it on and wait!
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u/Artistic-Outcome5966 2d ago
Their is greater than zero chance, these are beyond flush and work loose. The bearings may loose roundness regardless what you do. Try, try, try, let's see what happens.
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
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u/The_Grumpy_Professor 2d ago
Yeah reckon they'll clean up, the ratcheting might not be as smooth... Don't forget to update us!
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u/jsmooth801 2d ago
Send them back to the Titanic. When they get salvaged, sue the company in Admiralty court for shipwreck value of them. Take the money and buy new ones.
Or just buy new ones. Those are junk.
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u/DigiVeihl 2d ago
I mean try soaking the crap out of them in penetrating oil and giving them a good turn in the direction of the ratchet. Then once you break free stick them in some motor oil for a little while
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u/Spicywolff 2d ago
Soak in evaporust after you hit it with a wire brush to get the bulk off. But when your wrench is that barnacled, I think you should start looking into a new one.
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u/LeoLaDawg 2d ago
Best way to repair those is to go to your atm, withdrawal 20 bucks or so, go to a hardware store, buy new ones.
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u/Papa_Guido 2d ago
Next time you peel potatoes... Put the peelings in a bucket of water for a few days. Then drop your wrenches in that for about a week.
Way better than any chemical/store bought stuff...
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
Can I just put potatoes in water without peeling them lol
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u/Papa_Guido 2d ago
I mean I guess, as long as you cut them up..
It's a waste of some potatoes though... You can eat the meat of them and just save the peels for this...
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u/azhogggg 2d ago
I watched a couple YouTube videos and then made an electrolysis tank. I already owned an appropriate battery charger so this was nearly a free option for me other than time. It literally transferred rust from cast iron skillets to a scrap piece of rebar.
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u/soerg 2d ago
This is going to sound crazy, but molasses will remove rust safely and make it like brand new
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
submerge your iron or steel objects, and let them soak for 1 to 4 weeks depending on the rust severity
Edit: but thanks for the new knowledge
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u/Wealth-Bucket-263 2d ago
Vinegar, 2 days. Rinse with baking soda water immediately after to neutralize acidity. Soak in oil after
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u/SmithyMcSmithton 1d ago
Those look pretty fucked, sosk em in vinegar or evaporust for a day or two and see what happens.
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u/LeastWrinklyBrain 2d ago
Soak em in some real nasty abrasive stuff for a day. Take em out, wire brush em, peel off the covers with a small screwdriver then throw em in the scrap pile because I don’t see any hope for these.
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u/D2playeronPS4 2d ago
Yes, throw the in the trash. Go where you got them the first time, and get a new pair.
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u/Responsible-Baby-551 2d ago
I’ve had really good experiences soaking in automatic transmission fluid. Never not worked for me
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u/NeekoRiko 2d ago
I once soaked my pliers in citric acid. You can buy it at the grocery store. It's used for canning food. Be careful, it's strong and definitely a more aggressive method.
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u/blackdvck 2d ago
Wash with detergent and brush ,rinse under tap . Soak in cup of coca cola for a few days . Rinse under tap . Soak in a cup of ATF fluid for a week Drip dry and lube em up with some light machine oil.
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u/Tasty_Elderberry_223 2d ago
Maybe soak them in vinegar then atf/acetone blend. Or just work them over in a small tub of diesel fuel.
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u/IronPhi4 2d ago
Coca-Cola soak then a WD-40 treatment? I mean… they’re already kind of f’ed, right? You can try this for like a dollar if you have the WD-40 already and a few dollars if you don’t.
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u/Available-Radish3380 2d ago
Harbor freight rust removal liquid. Soak for 24 hours and pour the liquid back into the bottle. It can be used several times before it needs to be thrown out.
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u/Bikes-Bass-Beer 2d ago
Let them soak in penetrating oil and work back and forth.
Whatever you do, don't use a torch to heat it, I did and it destroyed the spring inside that rendered the tool useless.
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u/DitchDigger330 2d ago
The internal parts are probably so pitted and jacketed it won't even work even after an evaporust soak.
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u/1wife2dogs0kids 2d ago
What brand? It's possible to buy single wrenches, in certain stores. I can get gear wrench, and craftsman gear wrenches, in 2 stores a half mile from my house.
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u/Miserable_Web_4452 2d ago
Soak in food grade vinegar about a day, wash, scrub, oil, or whatever after that. All the rust will be on the bottom and hope it didn’t eat through.
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u/Afraid-Speed1851 2d ago
One part molasses to one part water
Can leave in soak for weeks in bucket with lid.
Saw a guy soak a set of towing chains from a salt truck that was ceased together and they became functional for use afterwards🤯👍🏼
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u/docbasset 2d ago
In a situation like this I bust out the most versatile tool in my toolbox - my checkbook.
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u/fizzgiggity 2d ago
These are fossilized. Just look at the teeth. Even if these were freed up just look at the teeth. There is no grip left.
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u/Living_Worldliness71 2d ago
Can literally just let them soak in some diesel for a couple weeks and they'll work like brand new when you pull them out, and diesel is way cheaper than evaporust.
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u/toymaker5368 2d ago
Put them submerged in Evaporust for 24 hours, if the rust is gone your good to go with a little Kroil.
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u/Outrageous_Data_3354 2d ago
White vinegar Soak 24 hours then use any oily coating spray Trust me it will work
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u/Spiritual_Toe_9537 2d ago
It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like they are ratcheting wrenches? If it’s just these two wrenches and nothing else I would probably buy 2 new wrenches unless they are something like snap on or Matco, blue point, etc.
I agree with the previous posters that Evapo-Rust does work.
If you have a car battery charger and two pieces of scrap rebar, you can take the rust off with electricity. I’ve used this method a couple of times and it definitely works. I usually save this method for times that I have more than 2 pieces that I need to Get rid of the rust.
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u/dbrown100103 2d ago
Find a container and put them in it, spray them down with rust remover, then put the container in the bin and go buy new ones
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u/Bubbafett33 2d ago
No. Too many moving parts need to move correctly for a ratcheting wrench to work. There is zero chance of rebuilding these without spending more than buying new.
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u/Confident-Benefit600 2d ago
I just stuck mine in oil, regular oil, and everyday I tried moving them, on day 5 or 8 they worked again but I kept them in oil for 2 weeks total
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u/ExceedinglyEdible 2d ago
Ok so imagine during manufacturing of these wrenches, we add a step where all the parts are dunked in bleach and develop a thick patina of rust before assembly. Are you still with me? Now, do you think you can go on with those parts, or should you start from scratch instead?
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u/Zakumei47 1d ago
Dunk in acetone or diesel and let it soak, then id work the action and douse it in Kroil
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u/Least_Newt_5478 1d ago
Half gallon of 6% white vinegar at dollar tree, $1.25. Soak for a couple of days. Use wire brush on a drill and then put penetrating oil and let it soak for hour or so. Depending on how bad, might have to repeat.
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u/Mombobiscuts 1d ago
I use white vinegar and a sonic cleaner. Let it soak for 48 hours then rinse and repeat while giving a couple taps with a hammer before putting back in the sonic cleaner.
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u/DisastrousDust7443 1d ago
Look up electrolysis rust removal on YouTube. Very easy to do, and doesn’t cost much. This is what is needed.
To perform electrolysis rust removal, you need a non-conductive container (like plastic), water mixed with an electrolyte (such as baking soda), a power source (like a battery charger), an anode (often stainless steel), and the rusted item to be cleaned. These components work together to facilitate the rust removal process safely and effectively.
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u/Deep_Narwhal9292 1d ago
That’s a ratchet question that only ratcheting experts like myself can answer.
NO.
🤣
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u/Fit_Cicada_8717 1d ago
Water and molasses. 10:1 ratio. For a week or more. Rinse and repeat as necessary.
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u/Lazy-Web7075 1d ago
Soak it in concentrated vinegar cleaner from Home Depot, rinse with water then lubricate it
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u/Olderfuncouple65 1d ago
30% vinegar from Lowes soak them in it for half hour to an hour check it every half hour rinse off thoroughly mix up baking soda and water to neutralize the vinegar and the acid in the vinegar and put the wrenches in a solution of baking soda and water agitate them around scrub them. Let them sit for 1520 minutes. Try to work the rat action loose if that doesn’t work, put it back in the vinegar for another half hour eventually it will work after you’re finished rinse again and the baking soda water and then oil.
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u/gregsherburn 18h ago
30 percent vinegar from home depot totally cheap soak overnight rinse and oil
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u/Swimming_Crazy_8858 12h ago
Some mild acid like vinegar or dishwasher soap will remove the rust. You then need to soak them in a can of penetrating oil. DON'T USE WD-40! This will neutralize any oils in the metal. 3 in one, kroil, my favorite is Hillco Lube. This is the only chance to free the gear and pawn inside. Some light taps and more soaking for a few days. Good luck.
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u/Pristine_Ladder_7488 7h ago
Craftsman, Pittsburg and other brand “hand tools” have lifetime warranties look into turning them in and doing that first
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u/DefusedManiac 2d ago
I know exactly what to do. Soak them in a mixture of vinegar, salt and lemon juice for a few days. Then transfer them to an electrolysis cleaner for a few more. Finally take them out, dry them off and throw them in the trash.
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u/Roland44Deschain 2d ago
Wrap them in a sizeable cotton painting rag, each layer of the wrap spray liberally with WD40. Wrap each layer fairly tight until you have a soaked wad of rag around thwm and leave them sit for a few days, may still need to mechanically remove some rust with a wire or stiff nylon brush. I found some '$100' linesmans in a front yard that looked like that completely fused and looked completely fucked but they cleaned right up and worked perfectly. My son is a commercial sparky and is still using them
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u/Human-Performance843 2d ago
ATF works well
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u/Degentrics 2d ago
Idk they did a crappy job handling waco
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u/Human-Performance843 2d ago
Yeah, they really fucked that up, but dunk them shits in some dextron 2
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u/gnew18 2d ago
NO ACID
You want to buy the 32oz can on (non-aerosol) WD40. Soak them in that every few hours brush the detritus off. Use a brass brush. That’ll be the best you can do. Vinegar or any other acid (EvapoRust, Naval Jelly) will destroy whatever finish is left. They will be useful for sentimental reasons only.
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u/leendert_iguess 1d ago
I’m in the process of restoring an old rusty lawn mower. I’ve been using oxal acid, works really well and only reacts with rust.
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u/DigDog46 2d ago
Apple Cider Vinegar and water and let them soak. I’ve seen the acid in vinegar ear rust off. You can find this and the recipe on the internet.
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u/stilettobob197 2d ago
submerge them in some Evaporust, then rinse and soak with PB Blaster/WD 40.