A few weeks back I said that I would check out with a friend of 
mine his process for cleaning saws. Ted just happened to post 
his FAQ ahead of my note but I have to take mild exception with 
a few things and add some facts of mine that are specific to 
the cleaning of the saws.

1. Baking soda will work just fine. It is safer than lye.
2. Cleaning is not line of sight if the object is suspended in 
the solution, all of the rust is transformed.

As for my info on the saws:
1. Be very careful if you are trying to clean a saw with 
etching on it. If the rust is behind the etch the etch will 
fall off(or be removed).
2. A box 6 X 12 X 42 can be constructed of lexan or similar 
substance. Try a small company rather than buying the pieces at 
the hardware store, much cheaper. The glue for this stuff can 
be applied by running a bead up the inside and the plastic is 
melted and bonded.
2. With a box this size up to three saws at a time can be done.
3. The tested current is 2 amps, usually found on a small 
charger, not a 12 volt charger which is usually too large.
4. One lead, the positive lead, is connected to a stainless 
steel bolt. The other lead, the negative lead, is clipped onto 
the saw blade itself. If you have a small saw and want to hang 
it, connect the lead to a wire which will drop the blade into 
the tank. My friends setup has three clips on his negative lead 
which allows him to do up to three saws at a time.
5. After about 2-3 days the iron will have been transformed to 
a black sludge.
6. The saw is removed and scrubbed with a brass (BBQ) brush 
until clean.
7. A very mild heat is now used to dry the saw completely. You 
must seal the saw now or rust will develop almost as you watch 
it.
8. The saw is now waxed with butchers wax, polished and then 
Renasaince wax is applied as a final coat.
	Granted, this is for a saw that will not be used but 
that is Hank Allen's method of cleaning saws for his 
collection. He has cleaned well over 100 saws using this method 
and is very pleased with it.
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Name: Bill Gustafson
E-mail: Bill Gustafson