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Nut And Bolts Clean Up?? Tool Advice

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Dne007, Apr 18, 2021.

  1. Apr 18, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
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    Hi, What is used to clean up nut/bolts. not expensive tool? or at least not too expensive. I spend a small fortune on buying nuts and bolts, it'd be useful to use the old stuff.
     
  2. Apr 18, 2021
    AKjeff

    AKjeff Member

    Carson Valley, NV
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    Oct 1, 2017
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    A pedestal grinder with a wire wheel installed:

    [​IMG]

    From here:

    Search Results For "Pedastal Grinder"

    Use vice grips to hold the hardware, to keep your fingers out of the wheel, and a face shield.
     
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  3. Apr 18, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
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    Well, I have a bench grinder with a wire wheel on it, just thought there was something that might do quite a few nuts n bolts all at once! lol lucky thinkin I guess

     
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  4. Apr 18, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Maybe an ultra sonic parts cleaner? Sandblasting? Acid bath? Electrolysis?

    I suppose it depends what you are 'cleaning' - grease, rust, paint, whatever?

    I use the wire wheel for small numbers, when I feel the need for cleaning. Not often.

    Hardware has gotten ridiculously pricey by the piece. But if I can afford to wait a day or two, I buy on ebay, and always order extra. Cheaper, and much quicker than a trip to the hardware store.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2021
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  5. Apr 18, 2021
    48cj2a

    48cj2a http://bantamt3c.com

    Central Illinois
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    May 4, 2003
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    526
    I clean mine up on a bench grinder with a brass brush wire wheel.

    I've not experimented with plating but that is also an option.
     
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  6. Apr 18, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I also use a wire wheel on a buffer/grinder. The big caveat here is what you are using those cleaned up used bolt/nuts for. They need to be near perfect if it is for anything critical that has a torque specification and even then, you do not know how much they have been previously stretched. The bottom line is I use new with known providence for any such applications.
     
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  7. Apr 19, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    I haven't used one personally, but a lot of people seem to like these tumblers for cleaning small parts:
     
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  8. Apr 19, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    I've used wire wheels and bead blasting. Muriatic acid/water mix if I'm lazy and they're just rusty. Most of the time I'll just clean the threads with a tap and die.
     
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  9. Apr 19, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Muratic acid, wire wheel and wire brush are my tools of choice for cleaning fasteners.
     
  10. Apr 19, 2021
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Had an old Craftsman electric sander mounted a coffee can to it and put in Black Diamond media. Put the plastic lit on it and bolts in it,
    Locked the trigger and put it in the vise. I put the bolts in it and let it run. came out clean and ready for paint or use.

    Cheap and worked great.


    Dave
     
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  11. Apr 19, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    :D
     
  12. Apr 19, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
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    That's it! I knew there was something, a little more than I want to spend, but at least I know it's out there! thank you!

     
  13. Apr 19, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
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    (y) I'm sure I saw that episode~ kids today wouldn't know that those cartoons are funny! :rofl:

     
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  14. Apr 19, 2021
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I use an ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight, then I use a composite wire wheel also from HF in a small bench top drill press. The drill press is a lower RPM then a bench grinder (no vise grips req). Nothing flies across the garage when you drop a bolt.
     
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  15. Apr 19, 2021
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    If you look at reloading sites, you can find tumblers that are not as expensive. Example: Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler (midwayusa.com)
     
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  16. Apr 19, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Often I put nuts and bolts into a small Tupperware and cover with mineral spirits. Slosh it around a bit then let dry out on a rag. If heavy grime is present I’ll use the wire wheel on my bench grinder as already mentioned. Vicegrips are good.
     
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  17. Apr 19, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
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    IMHO first step is to remove the oil/grease., then go after the rust.
    Soak in acetone or degreaser or clean in hot dish soap. In my youth I would have used a coffee can full of gasoline; and then killed driveway weeds with the dirty gas. Of course, I would never do that today.:ninja: Once you have most of the oil removed, the vibratory bowls require low effort from you and can clean parts well. Keep in mind that most of the vibratory bowls can be used with some liquid. Once you have the bowl with fasteners and media (sand or blasting material or ??) vibrating add a LITTLE water and even LESS Dawn Dishwashing Detergent. This will help lift the crud from the surface of the metal. If you use too much water/Dawn you will have a mini- “I Love Lucy” scene with bubbles going everywhere!:rofl:
    The muriatic acid isn't real effective against oil/grease but does remove the rust. Muriatic acid will also remove any zinc plating that may be left. Cleaning with muriatic acid can induce hydrogen embrittlement. It probably will not BUT why chance it with anything critical. Hydrogen embrittlement - Wikipedia
     
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  18. Apr 20, 2021
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    I have a tray in my parts washer I dump the hardware on. Let them soak then brush off the grime. Let them dry. For the really heavy stuff, I use the wire brush or a wheel. Or just toss them if they are too bad.
     
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  19. Apr 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i love me some looney toons
     
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  20. Apr 20, 2021
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    You could always do what my granddad did... he put an old heavy 5 gal oil can (from the 30s based on the way it looks) at an angle mounted to a motor. He put parts (bigger ones) and nuts and bolts in there with a mix of diesel fuel and ATF. Turned it on and tumbled them all clean. He would leave smaller bolts and nuts in as 'media' for the larger parts he was cleaning that were for the tractors or other equipment parts. This was long before the option of sand blasting - at least out on the farm.

    Not sure that would pass safety standards for today, but should give you some ideas :D
     
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