Replies

1. 
   DrChops | Apr 14, 2008 12:42pm | #1

   hi,
   wow, this sounds like a nasty situation. hopefully they're not crusted over to where the rust has damaged the metal. in removing rust on bandsaw blades, you have to be very careful not to damage the blade set by scrubbing too vigorously. so, i'd go the chemical route. since i use the boeshield products on all my tools, and have had good luck with their rust remover, i'd try that first. you might have to soak the blade, depending on how much rust you've got. then, you should be able to get it off with a paper towel or a sponge. once you get the rust off, you'll want to coat the blade with some wood-finish-friendly water repellant like boeshield's T-9 or topsaver's dricote. (wd-40 can leave a residue on the wood which causes problems with finishes. if you'll always be gluing up bandsawn surfaces, then i suppose it doesn't matter.)
   best of luck with it,
   bert

   if it's worth doing at all, then it's worth doing well.
2. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 14, 2008 03:00pm | #2

   I have also found that Lime-Away type products remove rust fairly efficiently. I've used them on my bike (Harley) for years without issue. Just do a generous rinsing with clear water and a full drying, followed up with a thin (spray type) wax.

3. 
   saschafer | Apr 14, 2008 04:32pm | #3

   Soak the blades in something like this: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=58771&cat=1,190,43040

   You can also use a phosphoric acid-based rust remover like Naval Jelly, which has the advantage that it leaves a rust-resistant iron phosphate coating on the steel, but has the disadvantage that it's nastier to use and dispose of.

   Afterwards, store the blades in a reasonably well sealed cabinet with some silica gel dessicant, or even better, a small heat source (e.g., a 10W light bulb).

   -Steve

    

4. 
   forestgirl | Apr 14, 2008 08:53pm | #4

   Steve's suggestion of EvapoRust is dead-on perfect.  (I must say, though, there's nothing "like" EvapoRust, there is only EvapoRust).  Good to see Lee Valley is carrying it, but you can do much better on price.  Check around at the various auto parts stores and at Harbor Freight if there's one in your area, see if they sell it and at what price. 

   If you tend to experience rust frequently, or buy alot of old rusty tools, consider finding an on-line distributor in your area and buy a gallon of it.

   If you don't know about ER, it is a completely non-caustic water-based rust solultion that you soak the tool(s) in for a few hours or overnight, and it converts the rust to something else, falls in the bottom of the solution, and off you go -- wipe off, polish with some steel wool, and you're in business.  I've been using it for several years now with great success.  It would be wonderful for something like a bandsaw blade because it will get the tiny rust particles in the gullets and on the teeth without a struggle on your part.  Same with threaded things, toooooooooo sweet!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/14/2008 1:55 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   10fingers | Apr 15, 2008 01:01am | #6

   Hello,

   I just ordered some Evapo Rust.  It isn't cheap, but neither is a carbide tipped blade.

   thanks to all that replied.

   10fingers

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 15, 2008 07:30am | #8

   You'll like the Evaporust, 10.  Remember, you can use, re-use and use again, until it just doesn't seem to work.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   mike4244 | Apr 14, 2008 10:16pm | #5

   I got several bandsaw blades given to me by a friend that bought a larger bandsaw.They had a light coating of rust. I tried one of the blades on the saw without cleaning it. The rust came off after a few passes with scrap boards.

   mike

6. 
   JSPIII | Apr 15, 2008 02:12am | #7

   Try Ospho. Works great.

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 15, 2008 07:34am | #9

   Ospho.  Predominantly phosphoric acid, pH <2, unnecessary to use such nasty stuff.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

7. 
   bilyo | Apr 17, 2008 07:14pm | #10

   10fingers,

   Looks like you've got some good advice on how to remove the rust.  However, how do you prevent it?  I live in a very humid area and used to have this problem, particularly in the spring and fall.  I found, rather by accident, that if I left a small fan running (like one of the small desktop fans) it would keep the air moving just enough to keep moisture from condensing on the tools and other metal parts.  Keeping parts in a closed container, cabinet, or drawers also helps.  When I expanded my shop a few years ago, I fully insulated it.  I haven't had the problem since then.

   Hope this helps,

   Bill