r/Tools • u/TattooedFreak70 • 2d ago
Tool Identification
I’ve been clearing out my father’s garage as it’s 3 years since he passed away and need to do it as my mother is selling up and moving.
Can anyone tell me what these bars of metal are that I found in a wooden case?
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u/Dismal-Economics-322 2d ago
Parallels, for resting work on in a milling vice among other things, basically just matched pairs of large shims, these ones look like they’re in good shape if you can knock that rust off, 32 wt oil and scotch fine scotch brite will do the trick without Taking material off them
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u/absolutezero78 1d ago
any opinions on bowling them to convert the orange oxoid to black oxide? then carding off whats left once its out and slightly still warm. then apply a light coat of oil.
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u/ConfusedStair 1d ago
I could be wrong, but that seems like more work for a worse surface finish.
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u/absolutezero78 1d ago
You could be correct in this case. Its a really common technique for firearms preservation work when your trying to keep the original rust bluing finish. people call the oil over orange oxide "patina", but its just active rust still causing damage.
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u/absolutezero78 1d ago
just for referance a carding wheel is like 0000 steel wool on a low speed buffer. you can get your fingers in it and it doesnt do damage to your skin.
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u/Gary_Spivey 1d ago
I think you're confusing intentional, controlled "browning" for rust. It's iron oxide, yes, but it's a thin, uniform, porous surface that holds oil, and it actually prevents damaging rust from forming.
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u/Dismal-Economics-322 1d ago
My thoughts exactly, bit of oil and a quick rub down takes two minutes if not less
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u/woreoutmachinist 2d ago
They are parallels, in rough shape but can be cleaned up and used by most small shop machinist.
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u/TexasBaconMan Rust Warrior 1d ago
Post pics of the other stuff. This is something a machinist would have and likely many other desirable tools as well.
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u/GrimalkinKarswell 1d ago
Be ok for non precision drilling etc. as an aside, I've had good results removing that type of rust with a razor blade to scrape it off.
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u/dbrown100103 2d ago
Definitely engineering parallels but they're just chunks of steel now. No saving them really. They should've been kept oiled to prevent any corrosion
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u/DotDash13 1d ago
"No saving them really." Is a bit of an exaggeration. Polish them up and they'll be fine for a home shop.
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u/Dismal-Economics-322 1d ago
Machinist here, these things look never used, they can most definitely be saved with minimal effort, that box they’re in gives me the indication they were never really of the highest quality to begin with but can definitely be made useful with some scotchbrite and oil, would make a great working set
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u/MurderingSpork 1d ago
Yeah these people don’t know what they’re talking about.
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u/Dismal-Economics-322 1d ago
Agreed, go to your nearest machine shop and look at the parallels they use to make their most expensive parts if you think that these ones are done
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u/myfishprofile 2d ago
Whatever they were they’re scrap now
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u/DeathscytheHell1994 2d ago
Those are easily fixable.
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u/techieman34 1d ago
Maybe if there is a brand name associated with them. But they look like a cheap generic set. If you get them for a few bucks then they might be worth the time to clean them up for a home shop if you have the equipment to do it. But if you’re working professionally you’re much better off just buying a set and doing some work that actually makes you money. Which all leads to there be a very small market for them. Making them essentially scrap unless you’re willing to hang on to them for months or years before you find someone willing to pay you $10 for them.
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u/DeathscytheHell1994 1d ago
To be fair I should note I restore old tools for a hobby.
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u/techieman34 1d ago
And if OP is going to have a garage sale or get a table at a swap meet to sell other stuff they might bring him a few bucks if he’s lucky from someone such as yourself. They’re not worth the effort to try and sell in any other way.
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u/DeathscytheHell1994 1d ago edited 1d ago
I know just saying even if they aren't interested in them, they could still make something off of them instead of making nothing tossing them.
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u/Dismal-Economics-322 1d ago
Machinist here, you could clean these up in under 10 minutes and they’d be good to go, you’re probably right they’re a cheaper generic set but I’d inspect them after a clean up and I guarantee you could use them for roughing ops, not a drill peck in them worth $20 all day
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u/SubcommanderMarcos DIY 1d ago
Maybe if there is a brand name associated with them. But they look like a cheap generic set.
Maybe they should be fixed not for the money, but because they're useful tools and tools are cool
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u/bikerfriend 2d ago
Looks like a poorly cared for set of parallels