Trade Axe / Tomahawk Cleaning progress

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Trade Axe, or tomahawk as it is only 5.5 inches long, and about 1 pound.
I found it in Sept. has had a vinegar soak for about a month, it's now 80% or so down to clean metal. I picked off a couple of flakes, and decided I'll put it back in for a couple/few more weeks, should be able to get it 100% rust free.

This thing was VERY rusty, there was a lot of sludge in the bucket.

Before.


After about 1 month.



Another snow storm, so I'll be putting my year end post together today, tomorrow.

Good luck out there.

 

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[Iron Patch]

You should have a great post to sum up your year, as 2013 has been very good to you.... so good that you might have a hard time beating it, but I do predict (and know) your best find is still to come. I think it's highly unlikely I'll ever beat my best year for the number of quality finds, value, etc., but I still believe I could still dig something to call my best. And if I do that who knows, it might be good enough on it's own to call it my best year ever. Will be great to see the Spring get here!

 

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[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

You should have a great post to sum up your year, as 2013 has been very good to you.... so good that you might have a hard time beating it, but I do predict (and know) your best find is still to come. I think it's highly unlikely I'll ever beat my best year for the number of quality finds, value, etc., but I still believe I could still dig something to call my best. And if I do that who knows, it might be good enough on it's own to call it my best year ever. Will be great to see the Spring get here!

I certainly agree I'll have a hard time beating this year, numbers for sure, also agree my best find is still waiting...if I didn't I might as well quit.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Why Apple cider vinegar as opposed to regular white vinegar?

It seems to be the consensus that apple cider vinegar is best. While the main ingredient in all vinegars is the same acetic acid, White vinegar "may" work as well...I don't know. However apple cider vinegar also contains "living nutrients, and bacteria" as well as trace elements. Which may be the reason ?

 

[Brian C.]

Nice find Rick. To be on the save side you might want to put a hard wax on the whole axe, then put in your oven at 250 for about 10 minutes, when the wax has melted into the metal, let it cool off, if you don't put some kind of coating on it, the iron will continue to break down. Nice find for sure.

 

[cambria09]

Hello Rick (Nova Scotia). That's a real nice find and the cleaning job is amazing. Apple cider vinegar huh? I have several old iron ax heads, hinges, tools, and cast iron pieces this may work on then.

Questions:
1) Do you dilute the vinegar solution with water?
2) Will it work on cast iron?
3) In reading the replies it looks like this will not work on brass, copper, or bronze right?

Thanks for the post I may have to try this method on some of my iron stuff that is just sitting around looking rusty.

C9

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Hello Rick (Nova Scotia). That's a real nice find and the cleaning job is amazing. Apple cider vinegar huh? I have several old iron ax heads, hinges, tools, and cast iron pieces this may work on then.

Questions:
1) Do you dilute the vinegar solution with water?
2) Will it work on cast iron?
3) In reading the replies it looks like this will not work on brass, copper, or bronze right?

Thanks for the post I may have to try this method on some of my iron stuff that is just sitting around looking rusty.

C9

Cambria hi,

Thanks,
Q + A
1) No, do not dilute
2) Yes it will work on cast iron
3) it will probably clean brass, and copper, but no doubt will remove patina, so if that is a concern, don't use any acid, if ever so week.

Wish I was down in your area right now.

 

[romeo-1]

Looking good!