I was working at an empty property this week that's being cleared out for renovation. There were a couple of rusty tools by the bins that the owner said I could take. I only really wanted the trowel but took the other thing because it looked useful. I thought it was a pin for securing something but didn't give it much of a look.
The pin thing turned out to be a snap-on punch and has cleaned up well so I'm pleased with that.![Biggrin :biggrin: :biggrin:](/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/biggrin.png)
I tried wire brushing the trowel then a quick overnight in vinegar and it's coming up nicely but has some deep pitting from the rust. The metal is quite thick though and it's got a really solid handle fitting so if I can turn it into a user I'll be very happy.
Out of the acid and cleaned up with the wire wheel.
Then a bit of work on the sander to remove the light pitting. I'm taking it slowly so I don't heat the metal too much.
The inside of the blade looks pretty bad though, nothing that would stop it being usable I guess but I'm not sure how far to take the restoration. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with this that will make a better finished result?
![P1170384-Copy.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/7LvXYdDy/P1170384-Copy.jpg)
The pin thing turned out to be a snap-on punch and has cleaned up well so I'm pleased with that.
![Biggrin :biggrin: :biggrin:](/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/biggrin.png)
![20190613-155422.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/yxDpBN8V/20190613-155422.jpg)
I tried wire brushing the trowel then a quick overnight in vinegar and it's coming up nicely but has some deep pitting from the rust. The metal is quite thick though and it's got a really solid handle fitting so if I can turn it into a user I'll be very happy.
Out of the acid and cleaned up with the wire wheel.
![20190613-141059.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/7YvyBvLF/20190613-141059.jpg)
Then a bit of work on the sander to remove the light pitting. I'm taking it slowly so I don't heat the metal too much.
![20190613-141107.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/sDpCqnQv/20190613-141107.jpg)
The inside of the blade looks pretty bad though, nothing that would stop it being usable I guess but I'm not sure how far to take the restoration. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with this that will make a better finished result?
![20190613-141017.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/zG8YrnKp/20190613-141017.jpg)