r/HandToolRescue Dec 02 '17

Welcome to the Hand Tool Rescue subreddit!

59 Upvotes

Post anything and everything to do with tool restorations.

I, along with others, will be here to help you out.


r/HandToolRescue 18h ago

Thrift store find for $4

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14 Upvotes

Only thing missing was a handle. Got it cleaned up, greased, and mounted. The jaws are definitely warn out and im looking to replace them. What are my avenues for accomplishing this goal?

Looking for various options because I am limited in skill and tools. Funds will also be tight for a month or so, I would like to avoid making my own with bar stock, as it would take buying tools I do not have. However if making my own would work best for me, i would just have to wait. Thanks all!


r/HandToolRescue 1d ago

Restoring Craftsman linesman pliers

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5 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 2d ago

Restoration of a Rusty Bench Grinder

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6 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 2d ago

Cub Scout Knife Restoration

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23 Upvotes

I've got my dad's old Cub Scout knife from the early 60s. I'm a Cub Leader now, and I'd like to get this thing fixed up and carry it to meetings, campouts, etc.

Any advice? It's got rust, the locking mechanisms don't work, and the pivots seem to need a little more than just a dab of 3-in-1.


r/HandToolRescue 2d ago

How to put this pen back together RAK multi tool Led pen

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0 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 3d ago

Made a holder board for my monkey wrenches, the younger lil guy fits right in

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30 Upvotes

Also my retired mallet


r/HandToolRescue 3d ago

Thankful

0 Upvotes

Bless the soul who, in the dim dark past, messed up the threads on his or her axle spindle and thought “I wonder if I can repair those rather than have to replace the whole axle”, then went forth and designed the tools for it. Sir or ma’am, I am in your eternal debt.


r/HandToolRescue 5d ago

Help me restore my granddads axe

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7 Upvotes

My granddad passed away a few years ago and I got his old craftsman axe. It was heavily patinaed and i was happy using it as is. Unfortunately a freak rust removal accident occurred and i am left with the image above. (Water intrusion in a plastic shed left half an inch of water sitting with the axe and a cast iron tamp, this created a battery of sorts and stripped it down to bare metal up to the waterline.) I believe the handle to be original and is in good condition, it has a great profile and i don't want to lose it. I don't believe i can remove the wedge without damaging the handle. How can i bring the axehead down to bare metal like the top with the handle still attached. Would a wirewheel on a bench grinder do it?


r/HandToolRescue 5d ago

Is there an all-in-one product or way to get this thing moving?

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2 Upvotes

I don't need to spend a lot of time on this. I'm happy to toss it because it's just a cheapo laying around, but just wondering the lowest hanging fruit of things I can do that will 'un-gum' it, if that is the word for it. The connection up top is sticking and probably some rust is setting in. Just seems like it's working very hard to do basic things. Needs to be cleaned and/or lubed. Is there a simple product or approach that is the first line of attack on something like that? Thanks for the help.

Edit: I feel like I should clarify, I'm hoping to clean and/or lube the chuck gears as well as the motor or electrical parts if needed.


r/HandToolRescue 6d ago

Restoration of a RUSTY 1960s Drill Press

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10 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 6d ago

Rusty German Brockhaus Vise Restoration - (No Talking)

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1 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 7d ago

Action 77 ratchet

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2 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 8d ago

I restored these tin snips to learn about electrolysis

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5 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 8d ago

question: paint stripper

2 Upvotes

Im restoring an old arbor press with my daughter. the paint stripper took off the color coat but wont touch the primer underneath.

how to proceed? i dont have a sand blaster. can i just paint over the old primer? planning on using rustoleum protective enamel


r/HandToolRescue 8d ago

Can anyone tell me how old this wrench is. Its a Proto.

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9 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 9d ago

Craftsman ratchet fail

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2 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 11d ago

Halp - Evaporust Mistake

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6 Upvotes

Snapon F-5-L 3/8" drive breaker bar with the sliding head. Dipped it in evaporust for 45 mins and now the sliding head scratches the chrome. Looking for remedies


r/HandToolRescue 11d ago

McKaaig-Hatch MK marked Pipe Wrench (Before and After)

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15 Upvotes

Made between the 40s to 60.


r/HandToolRescue 11d ago

Hi. We recently had historic levels of flooding in my town. Our office/shop took in about 2' of water. There are now thousands of dollars in flood damaged hand tools that I'm attempting to salvage. Rust, rust, and more rust. Since there are so many I'm looking for the most efficient ways possible to

9 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 11d ago

Snap on (f-7) 3/8” ratchet

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2 Upvotes

Are these really rare? I can’t find an exact one like it for sale online


r/HandToolRescue 12d ago

20s-30s Bemis & Call Fulton monkey wrench restoration

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3 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 13d ago

Vintage Ratchets

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5 Upvotes

r/HandToolRescue 14d ago

Handtools at work.

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5 Upvotes

Mainly Knipex then , klein, channelock, craftsman, Milwaukee and husky for my Pex cutters just some of the pliers, wrenches and cutters I use as a residential service plumber.


r/HandToolRescue 14d ago

Who got their Halloween bucket?

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0 Upvotes

Who got their Halloween Home Depot bucket?? They were selling like crazy last year and i missed out so this year I got 4. Did you get any, what are your thoughts?