It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 20:12

Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

This forum is for any general questions, queries or plain old chinwaggery on Woody stuff in general.

Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Mike G » 21 Aug 2017, 15:19

Does anyone know of a chemical which will soften or remove compressed/ heated/ gunked on sawdust etc off tools? Obviously not the cutting edge, because you'd get this off in the course of sharpening, but, say, from just above the teeth of a saw, from the face of spade bits, from the helical groove in drill bits, and from in the teeth of files.....and so on. Some of this persistant build-up is getting to be quite a pain, and soaking the tools in something seems like a good idea, only I have no idea what.
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9834
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Tusses » 21 Aug 2017, 15:24

I tried jelonite (phosphoric acid) on some router bits I use on the CNC .. they cleaned up ok with a soft wire brush, after soaking. I was using a weak acid to see if it would chemically sharpen/acid etch the dull bits . but that didn't work.
I'd try celly paint thinner 1st .. I use that a lot for cleaning and soaking things.
Tusses
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: 08 May 2016, 10:48
Location: in the middle of the middle
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Tusses » 21 Aug 2017, 15:26

the other thing you could try is diesel. I use that for cleaning up gunked up engine parts
Tusses
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: 08 May 2016, 10:48
Location: in the middle of the middle
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Mike G » 21 Aug 2017, 15:55

You've then got to try and get rid of the diesel!! I can imagine still smelling it a week later.
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9834
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby TrimTheKing » 21 Aug 2017, 16:02

I saw a post once, somewhere, saying that the alcohol in everyday hand sanitiser does a good job of softening it enough to be taken off with paper towels...

Hairspray was mooted as well...

Cheers
Mark
Cheers
Mark
TrimTheKing
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7567
Joined: 16 Jun 2014, 13:27
Location: Grappenhall, Cheshire
Name: Mark

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Rod » 21 Aug 2017, 16:02

Milk Stone Remover from Agricultural suppliers is a cheap way of buying phosphoric acid but I've never tried it for cleaning off grunge, just rust.
I've got some CMT blade and bit spray which works but it's not cheap.
Diesel is horrible smelly stuff!

Rod
User avatar
Rod
Old Oak
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:34
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Mike G » 21 Aug 2017, 17:06

TrimTheKing wrote:I saw a post once, somewhere, saying that the alcohol in everyday hand sanitiser does a good job of softening it enough to be taken off with paper towels...


So brush on a whole lot of hand sanitiser?

Hairspray was mooted as well.../


As a flame-thrower? ;) :lol:
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9834
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby TrimTheKing » 21 Aug 2017, 17:09

Mike G wrote:
TrimTheKing wrote:I saw a post once, somewhere, saying that the alcohol in everyday hand sanitiser does a good job of softening it enough to be taken off with paper towels...


So brush on a whole lot of hand sanitiser?

Hairspray was mooted as well.../


As a flame-thrower? ;) :lol:


Yep, apparently a few blobs of hand stuff dribbled onto gunk softens it up.

The bloke who mentioned hairspray said he sprayed it on and the gunk dissolved and practically ran off...

Cheers
Mark
Cheers
Mark
TrimTheKing
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7567
Joined: 16 Jun 2014, 13:27
Location: Grappenhall, Cheshire
Name: Mark

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Deejay » 21 Aug 2017, 17:18

Afternoon Mike

I'd try Meth's. I'm pretty sure it dissolves resin and certain that it smells a lot nicer than diesel.

Cheers

Dave
User avatar
Deejay
Sapling
 
Posts: 428
Joined: 22 Jul 2014, 09:36
Location: Wiltshire
Name: Dave

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby 9fingers » 21 Aug 2017, 17:52

I've got an aerosol of citrus smelling stuff from screwfix (own brand) supplied for getting resin off saw blades and router cutters which works well.

However I can't find it in the catalogue which has so many items these days and only a minimal index.

Other citrus cleaners will possibly work too.

Bob
Information on induction motors here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBTVXx ... sp=sharing
Email:motors@minchin.org.uk
User avatar
9fingers
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 10038
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 20:22
Location: Romsey Hampshire between Southampton and the New Forest
Name: Bob

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Doug » 21 Aug 2017, 17:56

Cellulose thinners removes sap, excellent on bandsaw blades if you've been cutting wet or tantalised timber though don't get too much on the saws tyres, but a wipe over with a cloth on the tyres again cleans them up a treat.
Really handy to have a small tin in the workshop for all manor of tasks.
User avatar
Doug
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2151
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 22:22
Location: @dougsworkshop
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby MJ80 » 21 Aug 2017, 19:01

I have found acetone really good.
MJ80
Sapling
 
Posts: 323
Joined: 13 Sep 2016, 19:21
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Woodster » 21 Aug 2017, 22:39

I've used this method for removing rust but I wonder if it will remove other stuff from steel?
Using washing soda it doesn't damage the steel like acid will.

http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/m ... emoval.htm

Very easy to try if you have a battery charger and most supermarkets sell washing soda cheaply.
User avatar
Woodster
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2558
Joined: 26 Jan 2017, 13:17
Location: Dorset
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Tusses » 22 Aug 2017, 10:58

Mike G wrote:You've then got to try and get rid of the diesel!! I can imagine still smelling it a week later.


I was just thinking of things you might have about the place :-)
Tusses
Old Oak
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: 08 May 2016, 10:48
Location: in the middle of the middle
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby 9fingers » 22 Aug 2017, 11:09

Woodster wrote:I've used this method for removing rust but I wonder if it will remove other stuff from steel?
Using washing soda it doesn't damage the steel like acid will.

http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/m ... emoval.htm

Very easy to try if you have a battery charger and most supermarkets sell washing soda cheaply.


I'm not sure how that will work. Lost of the unwanted deposits are organic not ionic so not susceptible to electrolytic effects and tools like sawblades tend to have a painted surface which would be insulating.

Next time I set up a rust removal bath, I'll have to try it to check the effect.

Bob
Information on induction motors here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBTVXx ... sp=sharing
Email:motors@minchin.org.uk
User avatar
9fingers
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 10038
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 20:22
Location: Romsey Hampshire between Southampton and the New Forest
Name: Bob

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Woodster » 22 Aug 2017, 11:24

I mentioned it Bob as I read that the process can remove paint in some instances. I noticed this happened a little bit on a vice I cleaned with electrolysis and washing soda.
User avatar
Woodster
Old Oak
 
Posts: 2558
Joined: 26 Jan 2017, 13:17
Location: Dorset
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby 9fingers » 22 Aug 2017, 12:57

Woodster wrote:I mentioned it Bob as I read that the process can remove paint in some instances. I noticed this happened a little bit on a vice I cleaned with electrolysis and washing soda.


Ah that is useful to know. When I've used the process it has been on severely rusted items when paint has long gone.
I do have some rusty sash clamps on my round 2 it list and they do have some paint on so I will be able to test the theory one of these days.

Bob
Information on induction motors here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBTVXx ... sp=sharing
Email:motors@minchin.org.uk
User avatar
9fingers
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 10038
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 20:22
Location: Romsey Hampshire between Southampton and the New Forest
Name: Bob

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby fiveeyes » 23 Aug 2017, 01:35

Many here in the States use 'Simple Green'. Do not know if it is available in the UK. I have used it to clean pitch and resin off saw blades. Must soak for a while. We also have commercial blade cleaners, but they cost more, of course. After soaking, I use oooo steel wool to finish. 5
fiveeyes
Sapling
 
Posts: 352
Joined: 28 Dec 2014, 02:56
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Mike G » 23 Aug 2017, 06:39

I looked up Simple Green, and it is a domestic cleaning spray, like we'd use for cleaning the bathroom. I'll raid a cupboard and see how it works. Thanks fiveeyes.
User avatar
Mike G
Sequoia
 
Posts: 9834
Joined: 30 Jul 2014, 22:36
Location: Suffolk
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Rod » 23 Aug 2017, 07:33

I read a while back that Cillit Bang works but I've never tried it.

Rod
User avatar
Rod
Old Oak
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:34
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Name:

Re: Cleaning wood, sap etc off steel

Postby Phil » 23 Aug 2017, 15:42

fiveeyes wrote:Many here in the States use 'Simple Green'. Do not know if it is available in the UK. I have used it to clean pitch and resin off saw blades. Must soak for a while. We also have commercial blade cleaners, but they cost more, of course. After soaking, I use oooo steel wool to finish. 5



I do the same using GNLD Super 10, could be similar to Simple Green.
Soak, 0000 steel wool, rinse and dry.
We don't stop woodworking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop woodworking!

https://www.instagram.com/phil_pretoria/
User avatar
Phil
Old Oak
 
Posts: 3499
Joined: 23 Jul 2014, 05:11
Location: Southern Africa 0054
Name: Phil


Return to General Woodworking

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests