Tool Time Tuesday - Remove and Prevent Rust on Your Tools
Hey everyone. I hope all is going well. We had a great week in Washington. It is simply beautiful, and that is an understatement. I could certainly live there. And in all reality, in the next week, we will find out if I will be living there. My husband and I had a couple of days where we went house hunting and driving around the area to try to figure out where we wanted to live. This is the fun part of relocating. There were so many things to see. The fall leaves were falling but some were at their brightest peak. All those reds, oranges and yellows nestled among the green of pines and ferns were just breathtaking.
On Saturday as we were driving around I noticed a craft fair going on at a local school. I made my husband stop as I wanted to pick up something for the girls as a souvenir. Of course there were people in there that had jewelry. I was very excited to talk to a few of them. I asked about classes in the area, shops and any kind of groups that there might be. Sad to say, there are only a couple of shops that teach classes. That is actually a good thing for me. But the sad part is that there are no groups to join. I don't know if I want to start another guild. They are worth the effort, I just don't know that I have the energy to do it again with my baby and a move and a new place where we know only a few people. We will have to see how I feel in a couple of years. But I know I will miss the guild that is going so well here in Ohio. They have some really great things coming up this next year. At any rate, we are excited to be making a decision on where to go soon.
I have employed a couple of means of removing rust but wanted to get some more options. So I posed the question to a few of my metalsmith colleagues. Most of them do what I do, but I did learn about a new product called Nevr-Dull. It was very easy to find in my local Ace store. It was in with all the cleaners. You just pull off some of the material in the can and rub your rusty tool and the rust is removed. Sometimes you do need to use a little elbow grease, but it wasn't bad. Now, you have to keep in mind that rust is invasive. This will remove the rust, but if it has already invaded the metal, you will have some pitting that still needs to be addressed.
So this week, I created a video showing a couple of methods of removing rust, dealing with the pitted surface and then I talk a little about how to protect your tools with a rust and corrosion retardant.
Right now I have only one formal class on my schedule:
Saturday, November 12, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $65. We will be making a fold formed anti/synclastic bracelet with the hydraulic press. I have only two spots left in this class. So let me know if you would like to join us.
I will be placing my final order of the year with Euro Tools Next Wednesday (Nov 16)also. We have been waiting for a few items that were on back order. They are now in and I am ready to wrap it up. Discounts on any of these items vary as it depends on the tool, but discounts usually run 10-15% there too.
On Saturday as we were driving around I noticed a craft fair going on at a local school. I made my husband stop as I wanted to pick up something for the girls as a souvenir. Of course there were people in there that had jewelry. I was very excited to talk to a few of them. I asked about classes in the area, shops and any kind of groups that there might be. Sad to say, there are only a couple of shops that teach classes. That is actually a good thing for me. But the sad part is that there are no groups to join. I don't know if I want to start another guild. They are worth the effort, I just don't know that I have the energy to do it again with my baby and a move and a new place where we know only a few people. We will have to see how I feel in a couple of years. But I know I will miss the guild that is going so well here in Ohio. They have some really great things coming up this next year. At any rate, we are excited to be making a decision on where to go soon.
New Item I can't wait to add to my studio
When I was in Tucson visiting with Kevin Potter of Potter USA, I had the opportunity to meet with some of his friends and colleagues. That was such a great trip. On the last day that I spent at his studio I had the opportunity to meet with a gentleman that makes the most beautiful custom saddles for horses. Well, he and Kevin have just released the news that they have created a Silversmith's forming bag. Here is what they say about it:"Silversmith's Forming Bag ($55) is now for sale on my website. It is made of heavyweight, English bridle leather, 8 inches in diameter, 3 pounds, double-stitched by a professional saddle maker, filled with clean, fine-grain sand and comes very firm - needs to be broken in. These are the finest Silversmith's Forming bags on the market!"I cannot wait to get mine. The order has already been placed. I want one just so I can fondle that leather! These bags are really great when doing sinking work and I even use mine to sharpen the edges on some of my pressed pieces with a chasing tool (Another Tool Time Tuesday coming soon.) But this really is a great price on these. You can visit Potter USA and order yours too. (Disclaimer: I do not get paid for this. They didn't put me up to this. I am just an excited customer waiting for mine to be shipped.)
Tool Time Tuesday Video
Okay, so now to get to what you are really after. The VIDEO!!! I was trying to figure out a topic for today and as I was looking around my studio last night I saw a couple of tools that had a bit of rust on them. I get asked all the time how I prevent rust on my tools (I have very little rust on my tools.) The first thing I do is try to prevent it from ever happening. But Ohio is fairly humid and it can be a big issue. There is a dehumidifier in my studio that I try to run at least once a week if not more. I am always amazed at the amount of water I pour out of that machine after running it for a few hours.I have employed a couple of means of removing rust but wanted to get some more options. So I posed the question to a few of my metalsmith colleagues. Most of them do what I do, but I did learn about a new product called Nevr-Dull. It was very easy to find in my local Ace store. It was in with all the cleaners. You just pull off some of the material in the can and rub your rusty tool and the rust is removed. Sometimes you do need to use a little elbow grease, but it wasn't bad. Now, you have to keep in mind that rust is invasive. This will remove the rust, but if it has already invaded the metal, you will have some pitting that still needs to be addressed.
So this week, I created a video showing a couple of methods of removing rust, dealing with the pitted surface and then I talk a little about how to protect your tools with a rust and corrosion retardant.
Upcoming Classes
It really looks like I will be moving in the next 6-8 weeks. So if you have been wanting to take a class with me here in Akron, now is the time to do it. I don't have much on my schedule and I am very flexible in the hours I can teach. So if you have a request, go ahead and make it and let's make the class happen.Right now I have only one formal class on my schedule:
Saturday, November 12, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $65. We will be making a fold formed anti/synclastic bracelet with the hydraulic press. I have only two spots left in this class. So let me know if you would like to join us.
Tool Orders
I will be placing an order for Tronex Pliers Next Wednesday (Nov 16). The order is going to be a larger one, so I can offer 15% off retail prices. Let me know as soon as possible if you would like to order any of their great pliers. They will make great Christmas Presents!!!I will be placing my final order of the year with Euro Tools Next Wednesday (Nov 16)also. We have been waiting for a few items that were on back order. They are now in and I am ready to wrap it up. Discounts on any of these items vary as it depends on the tool, but discounts usually run 10-15% there too.
Posted by Melissa Muir at November 8, 2011 9:37 PM 
Categories: Tutorials, Tips and Tricks, Tool Time Tuesday
Tags: Tool Time Tuesday video Silversmith forming bag
Categories: Tutorials, Tips and Tricks, Tool Time Tuesday
Tags: Tool Time Tuesday video Silversmith forming bag
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