De-rusting an old lathe

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So I scored an old Atlas lathe on Craig's list yesterday, complete with 3 boxes of tooling. It has a good amount of surface rust but no pitting. Everything is very tight. What's the secret formula for soaking the chucks and such to free them up? Any concerns with disassembling, bead blasting, then putting back together? Planning on using some PB Blaster and possibly soaking parts in kerosene but wanted to see if anyone had suggestions here first.
Reply:No on the bead blasting. You don't want to add to the slop/play that is probably already in 'em.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Soak in kero or WD 40, scrub with soft brass hand brush, buff with soft cloth.  Apply light machine oil (sewing machine oil works well) sparingly while reassembling, wipe with soft cloth and store in dry place.Use no abrasives.  3M type scrubber pads are  as they contain abrasives.  I like the cheapo soft sponges with a scrubbing surface on one side that they sell at the local supermarket.  The cheap ones.  They don't contain abrasives, only a plastic fiber scrubber pad.  The pricer brand names seem to have abrasives and scratch the metal.- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Originally Posted by FireForge1So I scored an old Atlas lathe on Craig's list yesterday, complete with 3 boxes of tooling. It has a good amount of surface rust but no pitting. Everything is very tight. What's the secret formula for soaking the chucks and such to free them up? Any concerns with disassembling, bead blasting, then putting back together? Planning on using some PB Blaster and possibly soaking parts in kerosene but wanted to see if anyone had suggestions here first.
Reply:Thanks for the information! So far, I have the ways, screws, and bolts sprayed with PB blaster for an overnight soak. The gears are getting ready for an ultrasonic bath using M-Pro7 water based gun cleaner. I'm trying to locate a manual, it's a model TH 36. I have to disassemble so I can change the drive belts.
Reply:soak in molassesthere is also some stuff available called evapo-rustLast edited by brucer; 02-02-2013 at 01:20 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by FireForge1 I have to disassemble so I can change the drive belts.
Reply:Originally Posted by FireForge1Thanks for the information! So far, I have the ways, screws, and bolts sprayed with PB blaster for an overnight soak. The gears are getting ready for an ultrasonic bath using M-Pro7 water based gun cleaner. I'm trying to locate a manual, it's a model TH 36. I have to disassemble so I can change the drive belts.
Reply:Wen I can't use a sand blaster , I use this product. and I sand if need, I never try to restore a lathe with this product but a small bottle cost under $4 at Wallmart if you want to give it a try[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXjoWCVsntg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXjoWCVsntg[/ame]Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:A really easy way to remove loose rust from a machined surface is the scrape it with a razor blade.  Sounds goofy I know and I had to try it to see on some of my "ol' arn" projects and dang if it does work a treat!  Saves a lot of polishing through the accumulated loose stuff and does not hurt the surface.  I just use a box cutter blade clamped in a pair of needle nose vise grips for a handle.  This will also show any rust pits in a hurry.If you have the time, white vinegar (5-10% acetic acid aqueous) dissolves rust slowly and can be stopped before the parent metal is damaged.  It takes days sometimes depending on the severity of the rust.  Flush with clear water to neutralize the acid, blow dry and oil.A 10-20% phosphoric acid solution is faster than the vinegar but will attack the parent metal.Also Google "Electrolytic Rust Removal" or search the wiki-base over at OWWM for the process.Like others have said NO ABRASIVES on the machined surfaces.   Painted surfaces on the other hand do well with abrasive blast as long as you protect the machine surfaces with a HEAVY LAYER OF MASKING  (two layers of good quality masking tape at least).RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Lots of great information! Thank you all!What brand/type of oil is going to be good for lubricating this beast? As the parts are finishing up in my ultrasonic cleaner, I would like to start coating them.
Reply:Originally Posted by FireForge1Lots of great information! Thank you all!What brand/type of oil is going to be good for lubricating this beast? As the parts are finishing up in my ultrasonic cleaner, I would like to start coating them.
Reply:Coke, just put the chuck in a bucket and filled up with regular coke, let it work for 24 hours and clean it with water and then use a fine sandpaper with WD-40 as lubricant  I use this method like a month ago also with a chuck from a Sheldon 15, and now look like a charm.
Reply:For rust removal, I've heard of Coke and molasses, but has anybody tried soaking in automotive antifreeze?Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....