At 03:18 PM 5/17/00 -0400, Jim Cook wrote:
><snip of all sorts of gentle ways to clean off japanning>
>
>How about electrolysis?
>
>I don't want to fan any flames, and I wouldn't recommend
>doing this if your plane is exceptionally valuable, or you
>really like to keep the layer of wood resin from decades of
>planing, but only when you have nothing to lose.  Of course,
>if you plan to sell your planes, be aware some folks don't
>really like that clean but grey metal that gets left behind.

Lotsa snippage here.

Hi Y'all,
I've done a lot of experimenting with electrolysis.  There are
many variations, so I think we need to be more specific when
we discuss the pros and cons.  I became uncomfortable with
using the "standard(?)" solution of lye when my grand daughters
became old enough to get real curious about EVERYTHING.
I tried other types of solutions, including one that I thought had
to be safe.  Salt and water (saline).  I knew enough about
electricity to be certain the saline would be an excellent
conductor.  It is harmless enough, so it seemed a perfect
solution (pun intended).  I even tried it on a trial junker plane
and it was great.  However, the 604 1/2C I used it on was not
so great.  I left it in the tank longer than I planned, due to an
unexpected trip, but why worry?  Well, a chemist explained
I somehow hit on a "magic" solution - something to do with ions
and it created nasty pits in the base.

I now use ONLY water as a solution.  It is somewhat slower,
4-5 days instead of 2-3, but what's the rush?  There are other
variables, also.  The output of the electrical source, the size
and type of anodes, the proximity of the anode and the tool,
etc.  I BELIEVE the use of tap water with a SMALL power
source (1-2 amps) with a 12 volt light bulb in series is safe.
The bulb acts as a fuse and variable resistor to limit the
current and is an indicator of what is really going on. The brighter
the light, the more action.  No light: something is
wrong, etc.  You can also tell a lot from the amount of bubbles
rising.  If it looks like it's boiling, I would stop immediately and
reduce the voltage.

The only japanning I have ever lost was coming off anyway.  The
sick grey surface sometimes that is left, has always come off
easily for me, leaving at least most of the original patina.

Properly used, I think electrolysis is the best cleaning method.
Vinegar is good for small items, parts, etc.  BUT, remember,
it is an acid (or a base, or something).  Left long enough it will
eat at the item, also.

Just my 2 cents.

Regards,
Larry

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