Rusty band saw blades

[whatknot]

I am fairly sure I know the answer to the question but nothing ventured nothing gained ;-)

I have just purchased a Record BS250 band saw, which works quite happily after a clean up and reset

I also gained a few spare blades, unused but rusty as they have been sitting in a shed

The question I have is, is there a way to renovate these rusty blades or am I wasting my time there

 

[Phil Pascoe]

There isn't a lot you can do to them, really. Use them and find out. Tuffsaws are as good as anywhere if you need new ones, and cheaper than a lot. http://www.tuffsaws.co.uk/

 

[whatknot]

Thanks for your reply, I did suspect as much but thought it worth asking

I have seen tuffsaw blades being recommended and had thought they would be rather expensive, but don't appear to be at all

 

[AndyT]

You could try using them on scrap wood. I expect any rust would soon be polished away, especially if you make some tight curves. What have you got to lose?

 

[Rorschach]

As long as it is not super crusty just put it on the saw and use it, rust will soon go. As others have said cut up a bit of scrap first.

 

[whatknot]

A good point well made

I will do just that as you say its no loss

 

[user 19915]

spray them with oven cleaner and wipe the foam off after 15 mns and then i spray them with wd 40 well that's what i do
Alan

 

[whatknot]

Thanks Alan, I may try that first before trying on some scrap

Appreciate the feedback

 

[Ttrees]

I've never heard that oven cleaner works for rust...
but I suppose a majority of those may be citrus based, so why not.

I have heard it being used for removing resin on blades mainly,and abrasives too.

Tom

 

[Rorschach]

I am skeptical about oven cleaner removing rust since it is not acidic.

 

[John Brown]

I have seen oven cleaner reccommended for circular saw blades, but for resin rather than rust(I think). Although I've also seen it cautioned against, something about losing teeth(obviously not a problem for BS blades).

 

[Beau]

What you need is one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLaBFkeHG0A but suspect the price might be prohibitive

As said above just make a few curved cuts is some scrap to clean the rust off.

 

[Myfordman]

At a microscopic level, rust will have pitted the cutting edges and points of the teeth and so rusty blades will not be as sharp as new ones but wear in use will also take the really sharp edges off.
Once the worst of the rust has been rubbed away then they are likely to be nearly as good as a used blade and can be regarded as "2nd best" or everyday blades. Get yourself some new ones from Tuffsaws to keep for best

 

[whatknot]

Just a short follow up on my rusty blades

I sat down with a small wire brush on a dremel-a-like and soon whipped through five blades

I was surprised how well they cleaned up with very little pitting on a couple of spots but otherwise they came up like new I am pleased to say, tested one and it was excellent

So I am glad to have spent a little time on them

About the only thing to add/ask is what would be considered a good way to store them, as in something to keep the rust away, WD40?

I am thinking of bagging them up and store them in a plastic tote box to minimise and further risk of rust

 

[Rorschach]

Give them a spray of WD40 then put in a plastic box like you say. A few sachets of silica gel wouldn't hurt either.

 

[whatknot]

Thanks for that, they were my thoughts also

 

[YorkshireMartin]

Coca cola will also remove rust pretty well.

As for storage yes, air tight tub and some silica gel sachets, as already suggested.

 

[whatknot]

Coke, that was one I had forgotten about

Thanks for the reminder

With three girls and loads of new shoes I always had a stock of silica gel sachets, with them leaving home silica is a little harder to find ;-)