Best way to get rust off a drill press.

[Fletch Helical]

Some of you know I recently acquired a drill press however it has some rust on it I'd like to get rid of. What's the best way to get it off? Should I use something commercially designed to get it off? Is there something I can concoct at home? Is sanding the best way? Below is the picture of it, you can basically see where the rust is... Mostly on the base and below the table.

 

[Mr. Bad Example]

That doesn't look too bad, from the picture at least. I'd probably go at it with some steel wool and some PB Blaster first. If that doesn't do it, I'd bet some Naval Jelly probably would.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

You could use electrolysis but that may be a little overkill. (google "electrolytic rust removal" for more info)

Where the rust is located I agree that some steel wool and a good oiling might be enough.

Patrice

 

[Fletch Helical]

You could use electrolysis but that may be a little overkill. (google "electrolytic rust removal" for more info)

Where the rust is located I agree that some steel wool and a good oiling might be enough.

Patrice

There is some on the which isn't that bad the rest is on the column/shaft (sure there is a technical name) that the table rides up and down on. Which is what I'm more concerned about.

 

[Fletch Helical]

That doesn't look too bad, from the picture at least. I'd probably go at it with some steel wool and some PB Blaster first. If that doesn't do it, I'd bet some Naval Jelly probably would.

Never heard of it.... Is it any thing like Naval lint?

 

[Mr. Bad Example]

It is a HD rust remover--you can get it in any hardware store. It is a gel w/phosphoric acid and is pretty nasty--it will strip rust and anything else off steel. Use carefully.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5568423_naval-jelly.html

 

[Patrice Lemée]

There is some on the which isn't that bad the rest is on the column/shaft (sure there is a technical name) that the table rides up and down on. Which is what I'm more concerned about.

That's why I said steel wool and oil after that. As long as there is no pitting and that the table moves up or down easily I think you would be ok. No need for high precision finish on there. On the base of course a simple coat of anti-rust paint will do.

Patrice

 

[jimmyseymour]

Our equipment in our shop when I was stationed in Guam would always rust pretty badly. Sand paper and oil is all we ever used. We would wax the surfaces of wood working equipment and any other painted surfaces so we could use compressed air to blow everything down and make it look like we had spent days field daying the entire space.

It was so humind it would literally rain inside our shop at night. We would spend the first hour everyday just mopping up the decks and getting the water off equipment.

 

[Patrickknives]

I just finished my reciently aquired surface grinder, I used paint thinner with steel wool, and when the going got tough oil and 320 grit. I just knocked the rust off and was not looking to find good metal.

 

[rfrink]

If you have a small right angle grinder like this:

then buy a "cup brush" like this from MSC:

squirt some oil on the rusted surfaces and then go to town with wire brush. The oil keeps the dust down and help to create a beautiful, burnished finish. Leave the oil film on the machine to protect against anymore rust.

These brushes are amazing!

Congrats on the new toy!

-Rob

 

[Danjal]

As light as that rust is, id use steel wool or the cup brush idea. Try to avoid sandpaper as is because it removes some metal. Just steel wool, wipe it clean then oil it up after. Ive refinished many a firearm, and saved many from rusting by doing this. If its pitted use the brush and see how that goes. All of this of course on surfaces that you nee dto make the machine work precise, or critical components. The rust onthe base, just nail it with the wire brush idea and oil it or repaint it.

You can also stop at about any hardware store and get a brush that fits in a drill. Be it corded or cordless.