OldTools Archive
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157698 | "James DuPrie" <jduprie@c...> | 2006‑03‑03 | RE: Refurbishing files (long) |
Way cool! Now where does one go about scoring sulfuric acid with a SG of 1.250? --JD -----Original Message----- From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Peter B Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 11:08 PM To: 'Old Tools List' Subject: [OldTools] Refurbishing files (long) Greetings all from warm, humid NSW Australia, I found this article in the May 12th 1955 Model Engineer magazine (I'm a tad behind in my reading backlog!!!) Was sumbitted by 'Bud' of Oakland Ca. 'Procure some sulphuric acid of about 1.250 specific gravity........... Procure an earthenware or glass pan large enough so that the files can be placed flat on the bottom.......... Clean the files with a file card or wire brush. I use a needle to flick off any metal particles stuck in the grooves. Place the files in the pan and pour in the 1.250 S.G. acid solution until they are covered. Or the acid can be poured in first ....... Very shortly small bubbles will form on the files as the acid eats into the grooves. If this does not happen within five minutes the acid is too strong. Simply pour in more water (!!!!!!) and stir. The entire secret of sharpening files is to use weak sulphuric acid, since weak acid eats steel, whereas strong acid does not. Leave the files in for a couple of hours and then feel them to see if they are sharp. Very dull files that are almost smoothe should be left in for eight hours. When the files are really sharp, remove from acid and wash thoroughly in water. When they are dry they will have a slightly brownish tinge and unless given a coat of oil will rust rapidly................ (Safety with acid mentioned here re pouring acid into water not water into acid, it will eat clothes with the exception of wool, fumes are dangerous) Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution will neutralise sulphuric acid. 1 tablespoon per quart of water solution is useful. The 1.250 S.G. solution can be reused. Pour the acid solution out of the pan into a glass jar leaving the black residue in the pan to be washed out..... Do not take files out too soon. It is better to leave them in too long than not long enough. They may feel sharp but are actually not etched deep, and if taken out too soon will become dull after a short time. After you have sharpened the same file for 20 years (!!!!!) it will become so thin that you can bend it around in a circle (!!!!!!) ' So, dear readers, that's it, all you ever wanted to know about acid sharpening of files. I make this disclaimer:- I have merely written in part someone else's ideas on the subject. I take no responsibility for any accident, mishap or injury caused to anyone using this information. ACID IS DANGEROUS!!!! Peter B ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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157702 | "Rodgers Charles" <RODGERS_CHARLES@b...> | 2006‑03‑03 | RE: Refurbishing files (long) |
JD responds to Peter B's tutorial on acid sharpening of files by asking: > Way cool! Now where does one go about scoring sulfuric acid with a SG of 1.250? Well, any auto parts store should be able to fix you up. Flooded lead acid batteries use sulfuric acid for the electrolyte. Straight sulfuric acid has a specific gravity of 1.8, so you can add distilled water to it until it reaches 1.25...just buy a decent hygrometer and pay attention to the temperature compensation chart. Charlie Rodgers Clinton, Maryland ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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157703 | "Rodgers Charles" <RODGERS_CHARLES@b...> | 2006‑03‑03 | RE: Refurbishing files (long) |
Obviously, that should be a hydrometer, not hygrometer (measures mositure content of a gas).. Charlie -----Original Message----- From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Rodgers Charles Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 8:51 AM To: James DuPrie; Peter B; Old Tools List Subject: RE: [OldTools] Refurbishing files (long) JD responds to Peter B's tutorial on acid sharpening of files by asking: > Way cool! Now where does one go about scoring sulfuric acid with a SG of 1.250? Well, any auto parts store should be able to fix you up. Flooded lead acid batteries use sulfuric acid for the electrolyte. Straight sulfuric acid has a specific gravity of 1.8, so you can add distilled water to it until it reaches 1.25...just buy a decent hygrometer and pay attention to the temperature compensation chart. Charlie Rodgers Clinton, Maryland ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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157711 | "Clay Risenhoover" <crisenhoover@s...> | 2006‑03‑03 | RE: Refurbishing files (long) |
Don't know if this helps any, but Electrolyte Grade sulfuric acid is 1.265 SG usually, so it wouldn't take much water to cut it. This is the sulfuric acid used as electrolyte in lead acid batteries like car batteries. I've never tried to buy any though... -Clay -----Original Message----- From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of James DuPrie Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 6:41 AM To: 'Peter B'; 'Old Tools List' Subject: RE: [OldTools] Refurbishing files (long) Way cool! Now where does one go about scoring sulfuric acid with a SG of 1.250? --JD -----Original Message----- From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Peter B Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 11:08 PM To: 'Old Tools List' Subject: [OldTools] Refurbishing files (long) Greetings all from warm, humid NSW Australia, I found this article in the May 12th 1955 Model Engineer magazine (I'm a tad behind in my reading backlog!!!) Was sumbitted by 'Bud' of Oakland Ca. 'Procure some sulphuric acid of about 1.250 specific gravity........... Procure an earthenware or glass pan large enough so that the files can be placed flat on the bottom.......... Clean the files with a file card or wire brush. I use a needle to flick off any metal particles stuck in the grooves. Place the files in the pan and pour in the 1.250 S.G. acid solution until they are covered. Or the acid can be poured in first ....... Very shortly small bubbles will form on the files as the acid eats into the grooves. If this does not happen within five minutes the acid is too strong. Simply pour in more water (!!!!!!) and stir. The entire secret of sharpening files is to use weak sulphuric acid, since weak acid eats steel, whereas strong acid does not. Leave the files in for a couple of hours and then feel them to see if they are sharp. Very dull files that are almost smoothe should be left in for eight hours. When the files are really sharp, remove from acid and wash thoroughly in water. When they are dry they will have a slightly brownish tinge and unless given a coat of oil will rust rapidly................ (Safety with acid mentioned here re pouring acid into water not water into acid, it will eat clothes with the exception of wool, fumes are dangerous) Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution will neutralise sulphuric acid. 1 tablespoon per quart of water solution is useful. The 1.250 S.G. solution can be reused. Pour the acid solution out of the pan into a glass jar leaving the black residue in the pan to be washed out..... Do not take files out too soon. It is better to leave them in too long than not long enough. They may feel sharp but are actually not etched deep, and if taken out too soon will become dull after a short time. After you have sharpened the same file for 20 years (!!!!!) it will become so thin that you can bend it around in a circle (!!!!!!) ' So, dear readers, that's it, all you ever wanted to know about acid sharpening of files. I make this disclaimer:- I have merely written in part someone else's ideas on the subject. I take no responsibility for any accident, mishap or injury caused to anyone using this information. ACID IS DANGEROUS!!!! Peter B ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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157695 | Peter B <peter51@h...> | 2006‑03‑03 | Refurbishing files (long) |
Greetings all from warm, humid NSW Australia, I found this article in the May 12th 1955 Model Engineer magazine (I'm a tad behind in my reading backlog!!!) Was sumbitted by 'Bud' of Oakland Ca. 'Procure some sulphuric acid of about 1.250 specific gravity........... Procure an earthenware or glass pan large enough so that the files can be placed flat on the bottom.......... Clean the files with a file card or wire brush. I use a needle to flick off any metal particles stuck in the grooves. Place the files in the pan and pour in the 1.250 S.G. acid solution until they are covered. Or the acid can be poured in first ....... Very shortly small bubbles will form on the files as the acid eats into the grooves. If this does not happen within five minutes the acid is too strong. Simply pour in more water (!!!!!!) and stir. The entire secret of sharpening files is to use weak sulphuric acid, since weak acid eats steel, whereas strong acid does not. Leave the files in for a couple of hours and then feel them to see if they are sharp. Very dull files that are almost smoothe should be left in for eight hours. When the files are really sharp, remove from acid and wash thoroughly in water. When they are dry they will have a slightly brownish tinge and unless given a coat of oil will rust rapidly................ (Safety with acid mentioned here re pouring acid into water not water into acid, it will eat clothes with the exception of wool, fumes are dangerous) Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution will neutralise sulphuric acid. 1 tablespoon per quart of water solution is useful. The 1.250 S.G. solution can be reused. Pour the acid solution out of the pan into a glass jar leaving the black residue in the pan to be washed out..... Do not take files out too soon. It is better to leave them in too long than not long enough. They may feel sharp but are actually not etched deep, and if taken out too soon will become dull after a short time. After you have sharpened the same file for 20 years (!!!!!) it will become so thin that you can bend it around in a circle (!!!!!!) ' So, dear readers, that's it, all you ever wanted to know about acid sharpening of files. I make this disclaimer:- I have merely written in part someone else's ideas on the subject. I take no responsibility for any accident, mishap or injury caused to anyone using this information. ACID IS DANGEROUS!!!! Peter B ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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