On Mon, Oct 5, 2020 at 12:07 PM Kirk Eppler  wrote:

> apologies for over cleaning, but this was a resurrection, so he doesn't
> need much patina.
>
>
Here is another sad case, a Starrett 8" #36 Lock Joint Transfer External
Caliper (p272 of the 1930 catalog).  It's provenance is
quite clear, a relic of Aladdin's cave from back in 2009.  That will have
to pass as my before picture.  Obviously an intimidating tool if I haven't
touched it in 10+ years.

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Woodworking-Tools/i-XQQ5DWR

I have an "in the midst of" picture, below.  This puppy had crusty rust.
Looked like it had spent a long time partially submerged.  But it was a
Starrett, and complete.  Quite similar to the tool that Erik fixed a while
back <https://m.swingleydev.com/ot/get/271550/thread/#271550>.  And the
rust won't affect the work, too much.  But I do need to talk to Erik about
disassembling the fine adjuster, I am afraid of snakes in a can here.  His
tricks on the spring need to be thought through.

Here it is after clean up:
https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Calipers-Dividers/i-nDK4Kfs

Meh, not so bad, little flecks from rust here and there.

This is the other side.  After all sorts of unmentionable acts of torture
were performed on it.  Most of the caliper only got the Sandflex bricks,
mostly fine, and coarse where needed.  The rusty spots got the razor blade,
the blocks, the (highly caffeinated squirrel powered) brass wire wheel, and
a rotary version of the Sandflex rubberized grits.  And then Simichrome to
make it nice in the hand again.

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Calipers-Dividers/i-xvkN5SB

Here are a couple of in progress pics.
Closeup of the leg, after a Simple Green Soak and wipe dry.  Most of the
loose flakey stuff is gone now. This is before the squirrel powered tools
got involved.

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Calipers-Dividers/i-9RGgfnQ

And here is the heartbreaking part, the part of the tool that is really
destroyed.  The part that makes it a Transfer Caliper seems to be REALLY
rusted tight.  I suppose I could try some Kroil, Evaporust etc to see if I
could get it apart, and replace the nut and stud with new shiny parts that
might even fit, but I don't think it needs that insult.  I think I will
leave it be, as a non-transfer transfer caliper.

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Calipers-Dividers/i-jXgDkwW

A fact for those that care.  The body of the leg is nominally 0.090"
thick.  After rust removal, there are spots that are as thin as 0.060".
But I think it will still be fine.  It is still much nicer than the no-name
divider I cleaned up while this one was soaking.

Thanks for looking, enjoy.
-- 
Kirk Eppler, trying to find a piece of equipment in the online company
storage warehouse, and striking out, badly.  Physical searching tomorrow,
what a drag.