Rusty Drill bits

[tanstaafl72555]

I left a small plastic tool box in the bed of my truck, and sure enough, it rained on it, and water got in! I opened it yesterday and there is rust all over all of them. I have about 30-40 bits in there and don't want to wire brush every one of them if I can avoid it.

Can I just soak them in brake cleaner? I understand that is good stuff to get crap off metal. Is there another solution I can leave them in, and if so, for how long?

Thanks in advance.

(muttering and cursing Harbor Freight crap in the mean time)

 

[Tim]

Reloading tumbler with stainless steel pins worked for me to get rid of light rust. I don’t recall what I in for a cleaning agent.

Edit: sorry. I was thinking “tools” not bits. Tumbling would dull the bits.

 

[Climberman]

http://bfy.tw/EkeK

 

[SimpleMan]

Why not put a wire brush in a vice, put the bits in a drill, and run it back and forth a few times? I’d spray em with PB Blaster before the brush.

 

[GymB]

Toss one in a bowl of vinegar and see if you like the result.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

EEzox
http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/eezox/
http://www.eezox.info/

 

[LizardKing]

Wire brush on a bench grinder would be the quickest since it's probably just surafce rust. Vinegar would probably be the cheapest solvent, but Evaporust would definitely do the trick with a good soak.

 

[Mirac]

Toss them all in a bowl of vinegar... You'll like the results.

Seriously, leave them for an hour or two, then wipe with a rag.

 

[RR]

Vinegar.

Eats away the rust and leaves a nice patina.

Soak for an hour. Add Salt and it will speed the process. Wipe away the gunk and then rinse with pure water, dry and coat with oil.

 

[tanstaafl72555]

Thanks to all who responded. I am in a sea of riches here as far as knowledge. Fortunate beyond all reasonable expecations. Thanks again.

 

[jmccracken1214]

Soak them in vinegar over night. No more rust.

 

[Button Pusher]

Evapo-rust also is great product, they use it on M1 Abrams tanks.

https://www.evapo-rust.com/

 

[tanstaafl72555]

This was outstanding advice. Thanx to all

 

[Mirac]

no pictures ???... last time you get advice.

 

[tanstaafl72555]

no pictures ???... last time you get advice.

U got me! Pix coming