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Step 1
If you have a bench vise, clamp the tool into it with the blade facing down. If you don't have a vice you can do tool maintenance on a solid concrete surface.
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Step 2
Coat the blade with kerosene or a penetrating oil.
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Step 3
Brush downward, using steel wool or a wire brush. Depending on how rusty the blade is, you may need both.
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Step 4
Wipe away the rust residue with a soft brush or cloth. Then wash the blade in warm, soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
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Step 5
If the wooden handle of your tool is splintery, sand it lightly with fine sandpaper and then rub the handle with linseed oil to prevent the wood from drying out.
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Step 6
Prevent rust by cleaning your tools thoroughly after every use. An easy way to coat them in oil is to fill a 5-gallon bucket with sand and dump two quarts of vegetable oil into it. Using a trowel, thoroughly combine the oil and sand. Before putting your tools away, dunk them into the bucket of sand. It will come out with a light coating of oil.
Comments
yarrow said
on 4/14/2009 Great video! Thanks!
Anonymous said
on 1/4/2006 I keep a 5 gallon bucket in my tool shed full of play sand. To this, I add 1 quart of used motor oil. When I am done using the tools, I simply push the blade into the bucket and work it a few times. This not only cleans the dirt and grime from the blade, it also serves the purpose of oiling without a dripping mess. Don't use too much oil, 1 quart in a 5 gallon bucket works just fine. This keeps the sand from sticking to the blade. Afterward, I wipe the blade with an old rag, my tools stay clean, sharp, and rust-free.