How To Shine Up My Tools

[GAIA]

Hi,
I bought an old Marples 6 set of tools, the finish is quite dull and leaded looking.
I enclose a link to a picture of the set, in the photo the dullness of the tools is not so appapparent. What I would like to know, is how do I go about shining up the tools so they look brighter like the large V gouge on the left?

Marples 6 Tool Set :: DSCF0004.jpg picture by EarthTribe13 - Photobucket

Cheers,
Peter.

[carver33]

Don't worry about the shine on the tools - it has no effect on how they cut. Worry about the edge - a well sharpened and stropped edge will shine. I have newer Henry Taylor gouges as well as old Buck Bros, Butcher and Addis gouges. None of them are shiny, but all cut very well.

[Dicky]

Warren Gouges and blades also come with the blackened finish. Some carvers like to leave them alone so they always know where the business end of the tool is.

[mdallensr]

If you want your tools to be shiny, you can use a loose cotton buffing wheel with stropping compound. I keep the inside bevel of my tools buffed and shiny, to match the outside bevel, because I want those surfaces to be smooth for least resistance. The loose wheel also works well on the inside surface of veiners and v-tools. Mike

[GAIA]

OK thanks all. Before I got the Marples set I also got a 2nd hand set of 6 Ashley Iles tools. The Marples set I got for £21 inc postage, at such a good price I couldn't pass them up and are all diffrerent tools to the Ashley Isles set! Now I'm looking for a 38mm watercolour wash brush
Pete.

[chipmunk]

hi, if the carbon steel is rusting soak the ends in vinegar for 2 days that will take the rust off then put a coat of lite oil on them 2 wire-plastic brush on a dremel tool will clean the rust make a little bit shiny 3 if u don;t mine the color to keep them from rusting u can use chemical bluing [3 coats] thats used on guns to keep them from rusting [ warning that will turn the metal blue] and is permanent!!! and lite coat of oil that well last a long time4 buffing wheel and stick polishing compound on dremel tool or by hand that will make them shiny

[GAIA]

OK thanks for the tips.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have to try the vinegar tip chipmunk, never heard that before. I agree with Mike, a buffing wheel with compound.

Dave

[Robson Valley]

The abrasive compound in the "green" honing compound is a chromium oxide. Coincidentally, the one and the same used in "chrome green" artist's oil paints. I got a pitted and derelict set of a dozen turning tools for free. Some 1500grit wet automotive paper made them look a little nicer, a precious little wipe of oil helped but by then, I was convinced that what really mattered was the edge.

[Woodyrock]

A really good rust remover/converter, is citric acid. Mix it one cup to a gallon of hot water. You can get the citric acid at beer, and wine making shops. This is a very non toxic material, being basically vitamin C, it does not actually remove rust, but rather converts it a black oxide. The citric acid solution has a pleasant odour, but the converted rust smells terrible. Wash the black oxide off with hot water, and get the tool hot so it will dry fast. The citric acid will not harm wood, but, I always pull the handles to get the tang as well. The solution will keep working for a long time, so just store it in a sealed jug. Light rust will convert in munutes, heavy rust may take overnight.
Woody