Should tools be restored?

[lucakiki]

Tools do at times surface in a very sorry state. If it is a common wrench, nobody really cares.
But if it is a scarce one, it is worth every possible effort to save it from the melting pot.

Mind you, restoring a tool does not mean to wire brush it to death until shiny, or respray it with a coat of OD from a rattle can. You know, the Warren kind.

Here is an exemple of what can be done.
I had purposedly traded this Fairmount "beauty" with Luke, in order to use it one day as a Beauty farm experiment candidate.


Roger took this sorry case at heart, and did a super job. Have a look!

[lt.luke]

You were correct, i would see the result of the trade soon. What a result it is! It does not look like the same wrench. That is quite an amazing transformation! Good job Luca and Roger.

[Greg Hines]

Anyone ever replate a wrench?

Greg

[Roger]

Anyone ever replate a wrench?

Greg

It would not be expensive maybe a couple of bucks, I haven't tried it, but have checked into having chrome removed to closer match a Circle DC set. The closer the finish on wrenches matches the better I like it. Chrome and black parkerizing just dont cut it.

I read Lt Lukes post on the Oil can mount. They sell a product that closely resembles cad plating. Industrial Supply sells it. It's made by rust-o-lium.




Some are just too far gone!

[lucakiki]

I have seen that Chrome Alloy before!
Apparently the hidden side was worse than the visible side. Makes you think!

[Roger]

Before

After

Compared to NOS

[Jeff H]

Here is what I do
1-beadblast
2-blacken with Birchwood Casey gun blueing
3-wax with Johnson's paste wax


larger photo http://64.69.39.188/g503/data/500/23FairmounT.JPG



larger photo http://64.69.39.188/g503/data/500/23S5300073.JPG

[Roger]

Here is what I do
1-beadblast
2-blacken with Birchwood Casey gun blueing
3-wax with Johnson's paste wax

Very similar technique. Sometimes it takes a little more aggression!.....

[Chuck Lutz]

Fairmount wrenches I can't speak for, but in reading the Williams catalogs, you will find that wrenches came in different finishes so there is not necessarily a "correct" WWII jeep tool kit finish. Heck, we don't know if the gov't bought all, some or just ONE of those styles.

I think if you are REALLY into collecting a Williams set of wrenches, you have to decide to mix or just to match styles.

[lucakiki]

Whichever it was on delivery,the original finish of a tool is most of the times ( not always) still visible. Restoring a tool means to bring it back to its pristine condition. Since this is not always possible, mainly because of pitting, we should accept at least some beauty farming that will at least get the tool to a more pleasant condition.
As a matter of personal taste, I like tools as matching as possible in their condition.

Wrenches came in different finishes so there is not necessarily a "correct" WWII jeep tool kit finish

.

Very true: there is not necessarily one only correct WWII finish.

Restoring a tool to its pristine condition means just that : restore previous appearance. If it was a correct tool to begin with, it will be a correct restored tool: otherwise it will be just a restored tool. Pretty obvious.
However, at times, it is possible to change the original finish of a tool into a different finish. Whether this is acceptable or not I will not discuss. I know it can be done.
The main concept is that any used tool can be made to look better , to a certain extent. Miracles are not possible.

[Chuck Lutz]

Not only is there no way to determine if there was a finish particular to any one company or to the government, but my point was that Williams made options availalbe.

for instance...
723 = case hardened, black enamel finish, heads buffed bright
1723 = chrome-molybdenum, chrome finish, heads buffed bright
1723 = chrome-molybdenum, unfinished, grey enamel finish

So if you have a 723 for instance, you can buff the heads and paint it black enamel and this will go a long way to "restoring" that wrench style.

If you have a 1723, and the finish is shot, maybe you can have it rechromed and buff the heads.....or just sandblast it and paint it grey enamel if the finish on it is in such a terrible condition that the first option is not going to work.

This gives you guys with the SUPERRENCH series TWO ways to go to have an "as made" finish for your restored wrench. I think mixing the two finishs on the SUPERRENCH and the older ISN style is not a good idea. Don't have any reason why, but I will separate them in my collection.

Not only do the SUPERRENCHs have TWO finishes, but there are the ALLOY, the CHROME ALLOY and the CHROME MOLYBDENUM styles to contend with...

[lucakiki]

Tools includes,among others, also screwdrivers,and we should rather be grateful to Roger for posting those pictures.
On the other side,listing all the possible finish variations of a given brand,be it Williams, Bonney, Durochrome,Heller,BHM, you name it, does not add anything useful to the core of the thread.

Strictly speaking, changing the original finish of a tool, whatever this finish is, into a different finish also available for that tool is not restoring it.
It can be done, though, and learning how to accomplish this is definitely useful.

Mentioning that a same wrench might be available in chrome moly,chrome alloy, alloy is a true statement, but useless in this thread unless a specific technique is required for, say, molybdenum wrenches.
If what I meant is decently clear, so much the better. Otherwise I will not go on anyway, to avoid an even far possibility to see the post locked.
Others might care to better clarify the concept, given it is necessary.

Even better, they might post tips and techniques to restore tools(any kind , any brand) for those who might benefit in some way. Over.

[lucakiki]

Some are just too far gone!

Roger, I told you I had seen that Chrome Alloy Fairmount before !
Isn't it the one in this kit?



I agree with you: the hidden side ( pardon the pun) is actually too far gone! Were you aware of that when you bought it?

[Mark Tombleson]

I want to bring this topic forward again.

I have been assembling a tool set, but I'm not sure what I want to do about imperfections and the finish on the tools.

Here is what I have now.



Fairmount wrenches 731A, 28S, 27C, 25, 723
11" Fairmount Cleve Adjustable wrench
Schrader tire pressure gauge
6" Irwin screwdriver
Williams Hammer
No name pliers


The 5 wrenches show black enamel paint, so I tried a repaint on the 731A.

The hammer I bought several years ago finished. The pliers, screwdriver and 11" wrench are in the condition I found them in.

So, what to do... leave them as is, paint the wrenches... what about the pliers and adjustable wrench?

[Roger]

So, what to do... leave them as is, paint the wrenches... what about the pliers and adjustable wrench?

Mark, I haven't had very good luck with painting pliers. I've found that a good cleaning with a fine bristle stainless brush works best for getting close to original finish. Hand cleaner or WD-40 works good as a cleaner with the brush. I stay away from wire wheels if possible.

I picked up on a tip that Luca gave for painting hub sockets. Black Flat Paint, You can rub with a little oil when dry to give a little luster. It works good on wrenches also. Not as shiny as gloss and doesn't show the flaws.

All but the 27C in this picture were re-painted.


I get pretty good results with the 11" adjustable too.