First Batch of 2019 Tumbled Iron Finds

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Last Sunday I started tumbling my ferrous iron finds, being unable to detect due to the snowfall. I use a Loretone 45c tumbler for my larger relics. I start with ½ - ¾” polished gravel, a 1/3 of a cup of beach sand, a tablespoon of liquid dish soap and hot water to remove the surface rust. I tumble for 24hrs, drain and rinse the mixture and the finds in a large colander, I then repeat once more for another 24hrs using the same recipe. In the last part of the process I tumble for another 24hrs but minus the beach sand, this helps the clean and polish the iron. I then thoroughly rinse everything letting it completely dry for another 24hrs. I then apply a liberal coating of mineral oil and beeswax paste to seal and even out the finish.

I'm also showing a picture of an unusual looking chain, I've never seen links welded like these before.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on it's age or original use.


Thanks very much for looking,

Dave

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Awesome how they appear now! The mystery chain is from a set of tire chains.

 

[villagenut]

Great idea to get them looking less rusty but what do you do about the chlorides that are in the iron? If i dont soak my iron repeatedly in distilled water for weeks or months, my protective coatings eventually begin to fail as oxygen sneaks through.....I know that rust never sleeps.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Awesome how they appear now! The mystery chain is from a set of tire chains.

Thanks very much for your post and for identifying the 'mystery chain' Kray.
Tire chains are legal for use here on construction equipment being used on winter logging roads in Northern Ontario. In 1972 the Province of Ontario, after a technical review, determined that tire studs being used at the time were causing extensive road damage. In 2005, the province modified the law to allow studs in Northern Ontario regions between October and April, similar to Manitoba and Quebec.

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Great idea to get them looking less rusty but what do you do about the chlorides that are in the iron? If i dont soak my iron repeatedly in distilled water for weeks or months, my protective coatings eventually begin to fail as oxygen sneaks through.....I know that rust never sleeps.

You make a very good point here villagenut, on ferrous iron that technically isn't pure, the iron does start to flake over time.
I've found that the more pure blacksmith-made iron objects don't have this problem.

I think a lot of this has to do with the type of soil the relics have been found in as well.
Dave

 

[devldog]

Great looking iron relics. I especially like the iron stirrup and the old fork. Have you ever watched any videos on Gemplers, the product used for treating iron? I used it on my relic artillery shell fragments and my Confetrit 12 pound shell as well as other iron relics. I was pleased with the results. It will turn the iron black, but it preserves the iron leaving it with a nice finish. I always like to state that I'm not a salesman or in any way affiliated with this company, just a satisfied customer. Gemplers, check it out and see what you think.

 

[civilman1]

Beautiful job there Dave. I'm going to have try that recipe,along with dd's Gempler

 

[villagenut]

Yes, low carbon content in old wrought iron does do much better than lower quality iron and especially better than brittle cast iron, which is very hard to stabilize. But hey, anyone who thinks enough about iron artifacts and wants to preserve them is a good example to our hobby and we need more of you

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Great looking iron relics. I especially like the iron stirrup and the old fork. Have you ever watched any videos on Gemplers, the product used for treating iron? I used it on my relic artillery shell fragments and my Confetrit 12 pound shell as well as other iron relics. I was pleased with the results. It will turn the iron black, but it preserves the iron leaving it with a nice finish. I always like to state that I'm not a salesman or in any way affiliated with this company, just a satisfied customer. Gemplers, check it out and see what you think.

Thanks very much for the great advice devldog.
I am aware of Gempler's Rust Converter, unfortunately it's not available in Canada.

I just might have to pick some up the next time I'm in the Watertown, NY area.

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Beautiful job there Dave. I'm going to have try that recipe,along with dd's Gempler

Thank you for your post my friend.
I can order Gempler's through Amazon, but they won't ship it to Canada because it's a chemical.
Dave

Yes, low carbon content in old wrought iron does do much better than lower quality iron and especially better than brittle cast iron, which is very hard to stabilize. But hey, anyone who thinks enough about iron artifacts and wants to preserve them is a good example to our hobby and we need more of you

You sound like the metallurgist that I wish I was.
It's through members like you villagenut that we all learn something new!

It's only a piece of rusty iron until you remove the rust, then it magically becomes a conversation piece.
Dave

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Hey Dave , what are the hook looking things? I found a very old one under a root ball from a very large old blow down. The hole it left was 5’ deep and the hook was dead center at the bottom. Good looking stuff. For what it’s worth, I hate snow!!!!!!

 

[villagenut]

They are snap hooks.....most often associated with horse tack. Wow, yours was deep in the hole.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice work, Dave. It’s very rewarding to see those rusty pieces cleaned up!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Hey Dave , what are the hook looking things? I found a very old one under a root ball from a very large old blow down. The hole it left was 5’ deep and the hook was dead center at the bottom. Good looking stuff. For what it’s worth, I hate snow!!!!!!

Hi Bob, I see villagenut already identified the horse harness hooks for you.
These are very common finds on farm sites, the fact that your was so deep is surprising, it must be very old.
Dave

They are snap hooks.....most often associated with horse tack. Wow, yours was deep in the hole.

Exactly, you beat me to the I.D.
I've often tried to think of how these harness hooks can be repurposed, as they clean up so nicely.

Thanks for your post buddy,
Dave

Nice work, Dave. It’s very rewarding to see those rusty pieces cleaned up!

It sure is Nick.
The only problem now is... my basement workshop looks like a Victorian Period slaughterhouse with all of the hooks and chains hanging from the joists.
Dave