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> On Jun 27, 2015, at 10:50 AM, Gary Katsanis  wrote:
> 
> Please respond off-list as this is only loosely related to old tools.
> 
> I have a heavily rusted piece of what was high-strength steel in the 1800's.
I want to restore the mechanism to functioning condition. Penalty for failure is
severe and messy.
> 
> Would electrolysis be an unacceptable method of dealing with the rust?  I've
heard of hydrogen embrittlement, but I don't know if it is a serious issue.

This topic was well covered on the list in the 2000 - 2002 range. I remember
because I was de rusting a lot of saws while living in a very small shop after
selling the house and before finally retiring and moving east. What I have to
say is well filtered by time thru a sieve for a brain, hence light on details. A
careful search of the archives might be your best bet.

As I recall, the hydrogen could be baked back out by letting the metal object
soak in a heat for a period of time. Time and temp are now lost to me.  But,
based on the description at the time I decided that leaving the saw in the sun
on the roof of the shop for a few days would be sufficient to reduce any such
risk. I did that before sharpening the saws and can report that no tooth broke
during sharpening, and better yet no saw broke in use. Therefore one must
conclude the treatment was successful.

About the same time I did salvage a non-wood working piece of late 19th C.
equipment thru the electrolysis method and was quite happy with the the outcome.

Good luck with your project.

Bill