Old Tools #1: Folding Rule Fiasco--an Appeal for Help

naomi weiss,
I would find another wood bleach besides oxalyic acid if it’s the wood you are concerned about cleaning. Frankly, the wood looks fine to me! As far as the brass goes, be carefull. The Borax is an abrasive cleaner and will scratch brass. I would prefer to use Never Dull it is mostly a kerosene based cleaner. It works wonders on rifle brass and removes carbon even with a little elbow grease.Before I tried to adjust hinge pins and or free them up if necessary. I would recommend the use of Kroil Oil or some other penetrating oil. Hope this helps!

Take care!
Ken

-- woodbutcher north carolina

I’d recommend boiled linseed oil for the wood. Wipe some on, let it dry. VERY LIGHTLY sand with 220 grit and give it another coat. That’s how we used to do our old wooden stock M14 rifles in the Army and it worked great. I have done that same process to rifle stocks and some wooden tools over time and I firmly believe in it.

It’s an easy to renew finish. Holds up fairly well.

Good luck! Cheers.

-- Dave; Lansing, Kansas

I say don’t clean old tools if at all possible.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Hi,

Check out this link WK Fine Tool Website ; this link takes you right to the ”Restoration” portion of their great and informative website.

If you cant find an answer to your question in already posted material all of the people there are friendly, helpful and experienced in working with antique tool restorations and will have plenty of advice and guidance for you. They helped me immensely with some old planes I was working on.

Jerry

-- Jerry, "Some people are like Slinkies, They aren't good for much of anything, but they put a grin on your face when you push them down a flight of stairs"