PIPE WRENCH RESTORATION

[@BrianIrons-v3e]

Came over from Mike's channel keep it real just like him

[@LordMuck]

Welcome 😉

[@whitestream5233]

Nicely done Mucker, it is good to save some old tools and put it back to use. I remember recovering a pipe wrench that a farmer had lost in his combine harvester. Fortunately I found it in the stone trap just before the trashing drum. If it had gone in to the drum it would have put that combine out of service . So i was glad I got it out and cleaned it up and put it in the tool box . That wrench you saved will go on for years . All the best and thanks for the video Mucker.

[@stephenbennett6107]

Electrolysis works amazing! I’ve used a big orange bucket, water, some soda crystals and a 12v battery charger. Rust literally fell off after 12 hours or so.

[@EdLeeper]

I'm told, tho I haven't tried it myself, that vinegar will disolve rust. Not as well as Evaporust ( which is simply phosphoric acid) but if that's all you have it will work. I would love to see you try the electrolysis method used, but there are so many different methods and you only have so many old rusty bits to work with,, so I'll watch whatever you decide to use.

[@wyattoneable]

I'm with you 100%. It's not real pretty but bringing back an old tool in working condition is well worth the effort. Well done and have a great 2025.

[@LordMuck]

All the best to you David 😉👌

[@johnd7288]

I would clean them like you did and use them again ! Great video Lord muck

[@JonDingle]

Happy new year melod! Just before Chrimbo I picked up an old vice dumped in a load muck and abandoned whilst on a walk. It's only small but its covered in crude, rust and looks an absolute mess. As soon as get a minute I will scrub off the crud and I find a suitable tub and place it in to a deep bath (enough to cover it) in phosphoric acid for roughly 30minutes. Pull it out, wash it off in cold water and then spray it will a kerosene ATF mix and work it free. Then separate it, paint it, reassmble it and use it somewhere one day!

[@The_Incredible_Bulk1962]

Great video as always, Mukka!!👍👍

[@onelonleyfarmer]

what's the hole in the handle for? the little one near the threads of the upper jaw.

[@robandrews9165]

30 years in the deck and now resides in Lord Mucks shed, there just incase its needed, i like that idea of something spending all time in the elements and someone giving it some time and elbow grease and its back in action, great job buddy

[@taztaz6539]

I put my old tools on the wall as a memory what tools used to be like

[@kevinwillis9126]

Thanks Kurt great vid sir.... Take care...

[@LordMuck]

Cheers Kev 👍

[@terryjacobs2536]

Lord Muck, you have already used the best combination .... elbow grease and the universal tool namely the hammer, my go to option number 1. Great video though keep em coming 😃

[@gmartin8240]

A great little resto Mucker, all the threads look good. Well done Mucker 👍 🔧 🚜

[@philleeson7835]

Excellent vid Mucker. Simple tool with a simple restoration. Although that simple tool could be all that was needed to get thousands of £ worth of machinery working again

[@steveellerby9379]

Was there a plumber still holding on to them ?

[@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd]

No He just submitted an invoice for the loss 👍

[@philleeson7835]

Don't be silly.you wouldn't find a plumber outside.

[@starlightdiscosfalkirk729]

Did mine 10 years ago and again last month were originally my grand dads The spring broke off but still grab the heath on them are amazing if I got a stubborn nut or bolt can’t beat them Great content

[@cheechU38K]

Lovely patina, a coat of clear lacquer should keep it good for display 👌🏼 Laser cleaner would be cool 😎 😜

[@sowen-yt9xu]

A perfect way to use up any old stale fuel drained out of machines. Save wasting it.Funny how you've done a video on these I had a pair out from under a mates workbench when he was having a clear out that he was going to skip....hadn't been there 30 years but just as rusty..wire brush bit in an air grinder from start to finish.Spot on.

[@GarethPierce69]

I despair of today’s throw away society. I still have lots of my late dad’s tools, even a pair of fencing strainers that belonged to his dad, my Taid. Just looking after good tools is so much better than going out to buy today’s weaker, breakable tools. (Unless you spend an absolute fortune). And thanks for using the basic stuff that so many of us amateurs have rather than the big, expensive stuff. Cheers Mucker!!

[@douglasmayherjr.5733]

Appreciate your videos, Kurt. I like that you did the first one with basic tools. I would like to see the EvapoRust and Sonic Cleaner. Not sure of a 3rd method. We had a similar situation years ago with some auction buys. We stuck them in a 5 gallon pail of used motor oil and forgot about them for a while. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Thanks for the videos.

[@onelonleyfarmer]

id like to see you acquire the mongoose's spaff! that would be the video of the year....

[@chox2001]

I would use evaporust not because I have used it but because everyone who uses it gets great results allegedly. Great video Mukka it’s like going back to basics 👏🤞🙏👍

[@Savagetechie]

evaporust is pretty good but its bloody expensive, also don't accidentally leave stuff in it for a month otherwise it comes out more pitted than it went in. electrolysis setups are great and also good for doing a bit of DIY plating too

[@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd]

My suggestion for the cleaning is; my mum And anyone who doubts the authenticity of the video has never owned a Series Land Rover or a Stage 1 V8 or a 90/110 Or an early Range Rover Stillsons are essential for parts removal and those particularl ones are in far better condition than the original chassis of the above-mentioned vehicles Thanks LM 👍

[@robjw7250]

Nice, straight forward and down to earth video, like this😊

[@DBs58]

Just look at the story that wrench has to share!!

[@pitt6801]

Hi Mucker. I'd like to see you boil them in good old fashioned water. If you use distilled water and boil them for about an hour the rust should convert from iron oxide to Ferrous ferric oxide, also known as ferrosoferric oxide which is the black finish that gunsmiths use to protect guns with. It's cheap, available to everyone and might offer some ongoing protection once the residue is gently buffed off using quad zero wire wool. Anyway, worth a go. Do well!

[@PotatoBodo]

That's very, very interesting. Never knew that at all

[@LordMuck]

That sounds very interesting

[@kevinkelly5430]

Watched you on the podcast with Mike looking forward to checking out more of your content!

[@LordMuck]

Thank you 👍

[@David-ce9hj]

New subscriber - came over Dirt Perfect. Great interview by the way.

[@LordMuck]

Thanks and welcome

[@patkelly7999]

Great stuff Kurt and Puppo 👌👍🙏🙂

[@anthonyhengst2908]

It's amazing what one might find under things that end up in the soil. With a little work and a lot of patience they come around more often than not.

[@malcolmyarnold6172]

Thanks for sharing looking forward to seeing more of your videos

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

The blind one here, I love restore in Old Tools. That’s on a budget. Vapo rust is supposed to be awesome, but there are cheaper versions on the market. And some people have used a plastic storage tank it’s a metal and a battery charger and done that electronically which, you’ve got all the stuff in your garage. But love listening to your good old fashion elbow grease and then it’s that way.

[@RandyWood-g9b]

Turned out nice

[@maxobara1496]

Nicely done, don’t have a clue on what to use, but can’t wait to see what happens!!💪🤗🇺🇸

[@timdex91]

Great job bringing the wrench back to life... I know it would be quite a project but... If you could make a clock out of two wrenches on your shop wall. Possibly rotating around a pipe union.... It would be an homage to their past. Certainly an honorable way to display them as wall hangers... Stay safe, Tim in Texas

[@williambrown1031]

Electrolysis is the way to go. It will remove paint, rust and the electrolyte (trisodium phosphate) will also remove some of the grease. I've done many a tractor part with electrolysis.

[@minkavlerenyt]

asking what people prefer using is opening up a can of the weirdest worms, anyone has ever seen, like you said. for me personally it depends on the eyes looking at the individual case, every solution has it's merits in a specific situation, where others might not be as effective, so i like keeping an open mind on this subject and use my logic and common sense. 👌🏻

[@jamesnevin6076]

Excellent work Kurt

[@jamesboyd7984]

I’ve done the electrolysis tank before and it works really well. Completely home made using an old water tank and a very old battery charger as the power supply. Had to be a very old one as more modern chargers don’t detect a battery, so don’t give any juice. There are some really informative vids on here about how to do it on the cheap and it works just as well! Looking forward to seeing the different results.

[@stuartrance277]

I think that this video has been overdue & has been interesting. Younger people on a budget to spend on tools can learn a lot from this .There’s no doubt that older tools hold the quality, made from proper steel etc ,more than likely to have Made England on them too🥰🥰 Not inferior materials & that awful stamp ‘china ‘ 🤢🤢🤢🤢We have all seen at boot fairs , garage sales & auctions boxes of red rusty & seized tools , normally being shown no interest & an owner keen to unload them for next to nothing !!!!As you have shown tonight you can bring quality old tools back to life 😊👍I have done this many times & I actually respect the tools more , then they are useful to me & repay my efforts being saved !!! I start by soaking in a bucket of old diesel, (which comes from when I do diesel filter changes)2-3 days then ground up dishwasher tablets/washing powder with vinegar, then like you have done in the video 👍👍👍😊

[@tc6573]

Electrolysis dose work for the rust. Great job anyway fixing up the wrench. 👍

[@johnp1388]

Edge of the Seat stuff! These types of videos keep us interested mate. Well done. My vote - electrolysis / ultra sonic cleaner etc

[@DarrenTutt]

I used them everyday mostly in muddy ground for a well known water company,quite often they would seize up with rust and mud so we used to place them in a bucket of red diesel over night. Like new again. 👍

[@Will45ACP]

Evaporust for the win. Would be just the ticket for another rusty tool. Scrub dirt and grease and schmoo off first then let 'em sit for a night. Ballistol for protection and lubrication after. Works good on neglected cast iron bullet molds for me, a friend does a good job on bringing back old high quality metal files that have been mistreated with evaporust

[@matthewjoss417]

Love to see this and genuine not fakery . Thought you was going to say you hid them there 30 years ago as a young lad 🤣

[@bobpaterson1845]

Good video Kurt 👌 when you said commonly known as pipe wrench a light 🕯️ came on in the old grey matter my Stillsons were actually made by Rigid who I believe are better known for plumbing tools ,,,,,Pipe Wrench 👌as for what to use to clean stuff up 🙄 me being a miserable Scot 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I've always just gone for soaking in diesel or perhaps if been feeling extravagant Brick Acid 💪👌

[@marshallreynolds9604]

Good job muck they cleaned up well your definitely right about people they would throw that sort of stuff away instead of trying to fix it keep up the good work and videos

[@andrewbrown9755]

well done mucker.nice and easy

[@mikeduin8311]

Water and citric acid, and a kettle heater element, supposed to work a treat on rust. And bringing old crap back to usable is what I mostly do😅 Thanks M'lod! Cheers, Mike

[@charlespaterson9714]

I am out of the US and have only known those as a Stillson Pipe Wrench or Pipe Wrench. I recognize over in your neck of the woods you use the term spanner quite a bit. If I was to offer a suggestion, since a Stillson is a nice hunk of thick metal, I would simply start with soaking in warm water and using a floor scrub brush just to remove as much of the mud and clay as possible to give it a better chance with chemicals or vibration. I get a kick out of seeing the use of the Evaporust, but it won't penetrate any residual clay (the vibrating bath may be better to get into the knooks and crannies where residual dirt and clay may reside).

[@MADKIWI]

G'day Kurt.... hope your all well... Like Cresent is in NZ,😊 for an adjustable....

[@V8PropaneBurner]

That first set i thought you'd hit with the jet wash first just to clean the loose crud out of the nooks and crannies. I've used electrolysis before so would be good to see what Evaporust can do.

[@LordMuck]

It would have taken longer to set up the jet wash than just scrape any crap off and then still do exactly what I did.

[@darrenlittle4876]

Have done Evaporust and electrolysis both work well.

[@Spitter-ud8jd]

I've done wrenches , blades , drivers , misery wipps, hayrakes etc. and the most important thing I have when I do that kind of work is a cold 12 pack of Bud.🍻

[@deranocasper]

Awesome i love restoration and tools i found anold wolf bench grinder at the carboot rewired new wire wheel shes good that stilson useful tool

[@Phil-The-Gardener]

What a great video. it shows how waseful we have all become by just replacing rusty tools I would jet wash the worst off, hand or drill wire brush , finish off with my sander

[@ptk4476]

Nice honest video. The "restored" to new look old tools on many of the yt restorer videos are achieved by simply, and somewhat crudely IMO, is due to them grinding and linishing all of the surface pitting away on each example. Then coat with oil or gun blue and they'll look great (for a month).

[@lt8945]

You may want to try CLR it's a calcium lime & rust remover. I enjoyed your outlook on what you do on Mikes podcast.

[@robertbowen2129]

Best left like that good job I’ve seen those restoration videos it’s that triggers broom portrayal change everything to make them new again 👏🏻👏🏻

[@clarencewiles963]

History is and it’s still a wrench. But I would clear coat 🧥 and make it a wall hanger with it 😎

[@tonygiraldes7848]

Just the greatest! 🙂❤️

[@kenmurray4232]

Good video. I really would like to see the Evaporust just to see if it works. I've got some Model T wrenches that I picked up from flea markets over the years that I keep meaning to clean up for some wall art. Give her Ladyship a chin scratch for me.

[@landyboy88]

Great video mucka. Happy new year to you. Cleaned up a few old tools like that to get my first tool box up and going when I first started. Bench grinder is a must have for any workshop. Has the landy gone off to be cleaned up or did that just disintegrate 😂

[@johnallan9622]

I use lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda solution. It's eats rust and metal if you leave it too long. It's a fantastic and cheap way to get old tools clean. Great episode by the way.

[@MatthewHenson.]

Excellent job, I cleaned an old water pump on my channel in an electrolysis tank. Don't need anything special, just an old car battery charger and some salt water. Best to do it outside due to chlorine gas released (depends which salt type you use)

[@seanworkman431]

I don't know what to do but a sonic bath sounds interesting. I worked with an old mechanic years ago and we had to remove some engine head studs from a block and they were stuck. This Old dude had me make up some funnels using plastic sheet and then we glued them down on the block over the studs, then proceeded to fill them with coca-cola. It was my job to refill them every morning and after a few days he wound them all out with ease. So, if you used to drink a lot of coke but now have dentures you know why.

[@LordMuck]

I tried the Coke method on a stuck engine for two weeks and to be honest it did F**k all.

[@adrienst.raymond6801]

Personally I’d use evaporust to convert and remove the rust, but I’m not about to weld up and grind down the pitting, straighten the bends, polish the nut, etc. a tool like that is meant to be used, so I’d remove the neglect, then hang it on the wall until I need it.

[@jackpinesavagerepair1918]

As a well driller I've put these threw their paces. Some got lots of welding. Howdy 🤠 from the Northwoods of Minnesota all

[@ewanmclean8233]

I found a pair in a water reservoir tank and I plunged them in a bucket of hydraulic oil for about a week to free them off. Then I got a mate to shot blast and powder coat them. Nice free pair of stilsons work lovely 👌🏾

[@CrustyLees_engineeringish]

Used fertan with brilliant results chucked an old very rusty vice in a bucket of fertan for 24hrs and it had unseized without hammering etc

[@oakfarmagricultural506]

I totaly agree that these things are worth saving! I got an old fergy butterfly plough out someones scrap bit last year and ive slowly been buying the parts to make it complete it again. I wont make any profit from it when its done even though it was free but ill know that its another only piece of kit saved from the scrap man!

[@johnnyz9092]

I found in the past a Bahco nail puller in the same condition, i did a full restoration and repainted it, looks like new and it can be used.

[@Arnesen1983]

Submerge them in vinegar for a couple of days. It is very effective. All the rust washes easily off after.

[@jonathanbeale3978]

I liked this video. As you said, using tools we all have. There is a product called Vactan. You clean and remove rust from the steel and the paint the Vactan on. It stabilises the rush and prepares it for paint, if you wish to.

[@davidsymons4354]

Electrolysis works well my mate does his own with battery charger and a plastic tub

[@DOCTORDROTT]

I got a massive chain wrench I will clean up because of you video

[@JimmyDowling-m6e]

Fantastic video mucka

[@simon-oy6um]

Boy thats an oldie ,made of best sheffield steel 😊

[@francisday8327]

Try a cement mixer with pea gravel, paraffin & parts.... I have done this in the past & it does work...

[@pauldixon3089]

There must be literally millions of lost tools laying about in yards, fields and hedgerows. Top job for saving the stilsons.👍 I use a strong solution of caustic truck wash and a battery charger, seems to work ok.

[@taztaz6539]

No one makes tools like they used to If you look after your tools they'll look after you --- I got spanners and screwdrivers from my grandparents and my dad God rest their souls --- one screwdriver was used to open and stir the paint my dad put on my bedroom walls when I was little Coca cola always worked wonders on rusty stuff when I was little (Am know 48)

[@gs425]

It's a Record. The best. Definitely worth looking after !!!

[@peterjones4497]

It’s nice to see something any of us could do being restored.

[@Equiluxe1]

When my parents moved us into a house in Waterbeach Cambridge in 1961 I found an Eclipse hacksaw in the roots of a very old apple tree, I cleaned it up and still use it today as it is far superior to the one made today due to being far more rigid which makes for greater accuracy when cutting, no idea how long it had been in the ground, I would think it dates from the late 40's or early 50's most of the chrome plate was gone but to a large extent it was preserved due to the fen soil being so wet and oxygen free. The best thing for rust removal is "elbow grease" cannot beat it. Although lasers seem to do a good job.

[@srlstephen8465]

I’ve got a pair of those in my garage; belonged to my long gone dad. I’ve never used them and never will but I can’t bring myself to chuck them out.

[@davida.p.9911]

I've always heard naval jelly. Some even say soak in used motor oil. Or diesel. That is a really cool pair of wrenches. 😎

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

On a slight tangent, my cousin in the army went to Iraq in 2003. He said the fuel supplied by the U.S. contained an additive to keep fuel systems clean. The British vehicles kept breaking down because it would strip all the rust out of the fuel tanks clogging the filters.

[@LordMuck]

Stanadyne used to strip the painted insides out of Jerry cans and block filters

[@tonyjob1156]

A polish up with black lead grate polish would give them a smart finish.

[@WildWilly600]

good job , just clean like you did before , don`t have baths etc in my container

[@everestyeti]

I'm with you your Lordship, you don't need to spend a fortune, I've done many of these I normally scrape of what I can, then put them in a bath of white vinegar. Then they get put in a bath of engine oil, after that they get cleaned with a cloth and wire wheel. Then re oiled with 3 in one, then I use them or give them to mates. I also like the pitting, it shows its age. 👍

[@stevenbarnett2497]

Well done I was going to say personally I would leave them as they are now it’s done but I have to agree it would be interesting to see what results you can get on that other pair of stilsens and have both restored even if you don’t use them at least they will be around for few more years and could be used again one day anything that can be saved is worth saving something for future generations to look back on like you said as a reminder.

[@gogglet72]

I want to see them go in a ultrasonic cleaner complete to see if it can unseize them. Great video.

[@shoots2001]

Evaporust always seems to produce good results

[@the_Texas_Bandit]

Your wrench reminds me of my first wife, all smooth and shiney on the front side, but flip her over and you get the crusty parts, pitting and scaling. She used to drink up my tool truck money.

[@andybeech1054]

That new lazer rust remover looks interesting, could be expensive tho💷💷💷. Do well 👌🏽

[@whitacrebespoke]

Evaporust does work well but you’d Chuck those heavy rusted stillsons in and you need to leave them for a a long time wire brushing every day. I do use it for old machinery parts and tool and it’s good. Also used oxalic acid but that will taint the steel leaves it almost etched.

[@TheSynthnut]

My recommendation is Evaporust, just make sure you do it somewhere warmish, that really helps. Knock or wash the clag off and submerge it fully for a few days. Give it another wash and....

[@Jim-Scott]

I've got an old vice a friend salvaged from a demolition site. It was so long ago that I can't remember what the bet was that I could/couldn't get it working again. I dropped it in a can of diesel, back when you didn't need a mortgage for a couple of gallons, and when I found it a decade or so later it cleaned up a treat. It works, but needs a spring for the quick release mechanism. Give me another decade or so and I'll find/bodge one up, and I can claim my bet win. If I can't remember what it was, I can guarantee he won't, so I can make up what I want!

[@billleigh615]

Good idea for a video, for beginners everybody also should have access to 5L of vinegar, or dabble in electrolysis for intermediate restorers