Best way to clean up an old rusty vice?

[Rollerball]

I recently discovered an old 'Sheffield Record' 1 Ton vice half buried in an old shed.

Thought I'd see if I can get it functional. I've dismantled it (took some time, it was rusted solid).

Looks like it should be okay once I've cleaned off all of the rust. I've got rid of the excess with a wire brush on my drill and tried soaking it in white vinegar to remove some of the rest but that didn't help much. Wish I had access to a sandblasting cabinet to clean back to bare metal but that's way beyond my means just for cleaning an old vice and it's not as if you can walk into a workshop and rent some time on one.

The top of the slide in particular is pretty pitted and a bit lumpy, nothing terrible but I'd like to take it back to smooth bare metal. What's the best way to do this? A fine file? Sanding disc attached to a drill?

The handle is also very pitted but solid.

I'll probably need to replace the jaws as they're a bit of a mess.

Once I've cleaned down to reasonably bare metal (or bare, non-flaking rust ......) I was planning to spray the usually painted parts with blue Hammerite.

Would welcome any tips.

Thanks.

 

[foxhole]

Flap disc on angle grinder .

 

[Rollerball]

I don't unfortunately have an angle grinder, is there something I can attach to a drill for a similar effect?

 

[foxhole]

I don't unfortunately have an angle grinder, is there something I can attach to a drill for a similar effect?

You can get flap discs for drill attachment .Smaller than the grinder option.https://amzn.eu/d/jbwaRll

 

[thomp1983]

Do you have a battery charger?

 

[Mottie]

Leave it in a bucket full of cheap supermarket own brand cola.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

There are (strangely) lots of vice restoration videos on YouTube.

 

[Old Salt]

Soak it in diesel for 24 hours then wire brush it again.

 

[Diver Fred]

Have a read of May'23 Woodworker Magazine. There is an article on the very subject.

 

[JohnD]

How big is it? If you can immerse it (one side at a time if necessary) you can remove the rust by electrolysis without abrading away surface detail.

It is neither expensive nor difficult.

BTW I dislike Hammerite, because it is non-original, very difficult to recoat or touch up, and rust can progress under the paint film.

 

[Rollerball]

Do you have a battery charger?

I do indeed.

 

[Rollerball]

Leave it in a bucket full of cheap supermarket own brand cola.

I was about to say that's a waste of cola but on giving it some further thought it's probably the best use for that stuff.

 

[Rollerball]

There are (strangely) lots of vice restoration videos on YouTube.

Thanks, I'll look some up.

 

[Rollerball]

How big is it? If you can immerse it (one side at a time if necessary) you can remove the rust by electrolysis without abrading away surface detail.

It is neither expensive nor difficult.

BTW I dislike Hammerite, because it is non-original, very difficult to recoat or touch up, and rust can progress under the paint film.

Thanks, I'll look up how to use electrolysis. The vice is of a reasonable size and weight - I guess about a foot long when the jaws are closed.

Noted re the Hammerite, I thought that stuff was supposed to neutralise the rust.

 

[Wayners]

Use citric acid to remove rust Vs the electrolysis. Be easier and less messing about for a one off.