ruined tools

Whiskers · #1 02-24-2005, 07:36 AM

recently a co-worker of mine decided he wanted to start carving again after about a 10 year layoff. His tools have been in storage in the shed for awhile, needless to say they are rusted and they are in need of lol.This co-worker is on second shift and I am on first. The tools were on my desk when I came in this morning with a note, can you fix these, (PLEASE). We at work have purchased a new sandblaster, you guessed it cleaned, his tools with the sandblaster, removed the rust, the finish and the edges are ruined. One of the skews looks like a screwdriver now. I guess I have a question for Rick-in-Seattle, can you fix these and are they worth fixing, they look kinda like Murphy's, or should they RIP?

rick-in-seattle · #2 02-24-2005, 11:03 AM

I can fix almost any carving tool; I can't tell if they are worth fixing without a picture.

Whiskers · #3 02-24-2005, 09:51 PM

Rick-in-Seattle

I am going to go ahead and send those tools to see what you think, I don't have a digital camera and if I did I would't know how to put the pictures on this here computer anyway, computer illeterate just, know the basics. I am also going to send you some other tools for repair and sharpening.

big_Wayne_P · #4 02-25-2005, 11:48 AM

Have never heard of anyone taking a sandblaster to Carving tools
Maybe Rick will take a pic and post it when he gets them
so we can all see what not to do

carver6 · #5 02-25-2005, 02:25 PM

I'm certainly no authority, but don't see where knocking the rust off a tool would hurt it. Most "sand blasters" used in mechanical shops use a form of glass bead that doesn't harm the surface metal in any way. Can't say what a blaster used for concrete or outdoor cleanup would do, but still can't see what it would hurt, other than taking the finish off the handles and the dulling the cutting edge, which is going to be sharpened anyway. Hope Rick let's know one way or the other.

Plain_Ol_Ed · #6 02-25-2005, 06:57 PM

Once they are resharpened they may even be better for those of us who frequently hold the tool down on the steel for control. I can't see a sand blaster doing much damage except for the handles which are easilly replaced and as previously mentioned taking the edge off. Sure would have liked to seen a picture though.

Whiskers · #7 02-25-2005, 08:15 PM

maybe rick can take pictures and post them, I would but don't have a camera. When they were sandblasted the handles weren't hurt. I don't know if the tools had a satin finish or a polished finished but know they don't have either. I don't
know how to describe them, just raw metal with handles on them, he did the ferrels too. The tools look like either harmen or murphy's to me. probably something else. I don't know what happened after don't, I think my fingers tripped. Anyway maybe Rick will post them.

rick-in-seattle · #8 03-01-2005, 07:07 AM

I have yet to see the tools in question, and have no idea what blast media was used on them.

I do know that blasting can move metal; I used to inspect blasted aircraft parts and the operators were occasionally asked to straighten a part.

My main concern would be the inside contours of the tools; they may have to be smoothed before any sharpening can be done.

The outside surfaces are functionally much less important. At the very least, I should be able to create a surface that can be sharpened.

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I will attempt to explain the real problem with pitting from rust or sandblasting.

A surface must be uniform to create a clean straight intersection with another surface. If there are pits, (which are like craters in the shapening world) it creates a void at the shapened edge; much like a chipped edge.

The normal solution is to grind back material until a uniform surface is located.
But (and that is a big but) when the entire surface is pitted by blasting or serious rust, the inside contour must be reformed.

Not impossible, but not simple either.

Whiskers · #9 03-01-2005, 10:20 AM

The tools are on their way, shipped yesterday, the abrasive material is aluminum oxide that was used in the sandblaster.

Kenny_S · #10 03-01-2005, 08:36 PM

I loaned some carving tools to a (real) good friend who was a wood worker but not a carver. The project was his granddaughter's name in a headboard. Well, The tools came back sharpened on a grinder and you gessed it, Burned edges. I figured he knew better. Now, No tools are loaned out . I am sure Rick can help you out..