View Full Version : my "project"...
I'm restoring an antique wood cookstove for this old house. :p. I'm kinda' goin' at this blind, so I hoped I might gather some tips from any members with past experience, maybe.. :o. I initially thought a little wire brushing, some high temp paint, and some stove polish, would "getter dun". As my luck goes, the ol' stove is in a little rougher condition than I recalled.
I've spent a several hours over the last few days, with a wire wheel on an 8" grinder, removing scale and rust. It's getting better.
Any tips r suggestions on "anything" that I might improve on, I'm all ears.
Here's what I'm starting with.
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=58&albumid=10&dl=1215397256&thumb=1 http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=56&albumid=10&dl=1215397093&thumb=1http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=57&albumid=10&dl=1215397093&thumb=1 http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=59&albumid=10&dl=1215397210&thumb=1
The Stove Album (http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10)
"Google" d.. rust removal, metal preperation, ect. and discovered "Electrolysis"..
Electrolytic rust removal is a simple non-labor intensive method of removing rust from an object, using nothing more than water, washing soda, and electricity. There is nothing magic about the process; anybody old enough to remember chrome bumpers remembers the electroplating process. In the case of electrolytic rust removal, the system is plating rust from an object you want to restore onto a junk electrode.
from "Franz" (seems like real nice guy.. :p) at "Toolbox Talk" http://z6.invisionfree.com/ToolBoxTalk/index.php?showtopic=206&view=getnewpost
He goes on to explain the entire process there.
Here a li'l more 'techical' view..http://www.holzwerken.de/museum/links/electrolysis_explanation.phtml
Did some searching around, and found a couple of different 'designs'.. I've built me up a "vat" and will be giving it some experimenting. Going into town tomorrow to pick up a few remaining parts for the finishing touch. I'll post some pics "IF" I get it going.. :p
SmokinMa
07-06-2008, 08:54 PM
How cool! I am so glad you posted pics. I can't wait to see how you progress. ;)
tripps
07-06-2008, 09:24 PM
Beat me to it, I was going to suggest that, it works better than you could imagine, the hard part is getting creative at tank building for larger stuff, but it removes everything, old paint and all, and never touches the metal. Because it's so clean though, you need to paint or prime right away, it can rerust in a day, if humid.
"Google" d.. rust removal, metal preperation, ect. and discovered "Electrolysis"..
Electrolytic rust removal is a simple non-labor intensive method of removing rust from an object, using nothing more than water, washing soda, and electricity. There is nothing magic about the process; anybody old enough to remember chrome bumpers remembers the electroplating process. In the case of electrolytic rust removal, the system is plating rust from an object you want to restore onto a junk electrode.
from "Franz" (seems like real nice guy.. :p) at "Toolbox Talk" http://z6.invisionfree.com/ToolBoxTalk/index.php?showtopic=206&view=getnewpost
He goes on to explain the entire process there.
Here a li'l more 'techical' view..http://www.holzwerken.de/museum/links/electrolysis_explanation.phtml
Did some searching around, and found a couple of different 'designs'.. I've built me up a "vat" and will be giving it some experimenting. Going into town tomorrow to pick up a few remaining parts for the finishing touch. I'll post some pics "IF" I get it going.. :p
grams had one just like that :D
soz no help on the project tho:mad:
reminds me of the gas powered outdoor washer days..... that ringer could break an arm lol
:pass:
I cut a 50 gallon plastic drum in half, Placed a dozen 1" rods evenly spaced around the side, as "anodes". The design that I copied said to use "tie wire" to attach them to the drum, and to then connect the tie wire with copper wire to conduct the current. I saw a "shortcut". By useing longer pieces of stripped, 10 g romex, I attached and connected each with a single wire nut... But I "now" read that if the copper comes in contact with the solution, on the "anode" side (pos), that it will quickly be destroyed, and transfer to the "cathode" (piece being de-rusted).
Now I'm going to have to look into the nickle plating process, too... :p
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=62
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=63
Beat me to it, I was going to suggest that, it works better than you could imagine, the hard part is getting creative at tank building for larger stuff, but it removes everything, old paint and all, and never touches the metal. Because it's so clean though, you need to paint or prime right away, it can rerust in a day, if humid.
"Google" d.. rust removal, metal preperation, ect. and discovered "Electrolysis"..
Electrolytic rust removal is a simple non-labor intensive method of removing rust from an object, using nothing more than water, washing soda, and electricity. There is nothing magic about the process; anybody old enough to remember chrome bumpers remembers the electroplating process. In the case of electrolytic rust removal, the system is plating rust from an object you want to restore onto a junk electrode.
from "Franz" (seems like real nice guy.. :p) at "Toolbox Talk" http://z6.invisionfree.com/ToolBoxTalk/index.php?showtopic=206&view=getnewpost
He goes on to explain the entire process there.
Here a li'l more 'techical' view..http://www.holzwerken.de/museum/links/electrolysis_explanation.phtml
Did some searching around, and found a couple of different 'designs'.. I've built me up a "vat" and will be giving it some experimenting. Going into town tomorrow to pick up a few remaining parts for the finishing touch. I'll post some pics "IF" I get it going.. :p
..:eek: this stove was my grama's.. :)..
I have one of those o' gas powered washing machine, too. Missing the engine.
Shoot.. I recall an electric "wringer" machine, busting the heck outta' my older sisters fingers, back when I was just a pup.
grams had one just like that :D
soz no help on the project tho:mad:
reminds me of the gas powered outdoor washer days..... that ringer could break an arm lol
:pass:
CylonBud
07-07-2008, 09:52 AM
My step father broke his arm in a wringer in an electric one when he was a kid. he was helping his mom with the wash when she had a stroke. His arm got caught in it as he turned to see what happened to her. :eek: It was a draw. His arm broke it and it broke his arm. She lived until she was 84 some 40 yrs later. :D
tripps
07-07-2008, 10:53 AM
Remenber well getting my arm sucked into my Great Aunt Ruth's wringer washer at 3 or 4 years old, a lasting memory for a child. LOL her quick reaction hitting the release, and my still soft young bones made it scary, but without lasting consequence.
..they say if it's bubbling... it's working!!! :D
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=67
I submerged one piece, probably 5"X8". The voltage read 11.1. I gator clipped another 4"X8" piece and submerged it, voltage dropped to 9.1 set on the "8 AMP" setting.
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=66
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=64
I... "think" I understand, that by increasing or decreasing the 'volume/area' submerged, you can somewhat control the current flow rate. Dilluting or concentrating the liquid will flucuate it also.
The way that "I" undertand it, less voltage requires more time to derust, but is less intrusive on the object... :o.
The Stove Album (http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10)
Think your going to need a bigger bucket for the rest of the oven :p
Mr Burns
07-07-2008, 03:08 PM
Awesome thread Easy 2thumbs
Anyone who reclaims what was a kitchen centre piece of times gone by gets my vote :)
Are you going to re-enamel the parts that were originally? Or go stove black :shrug:
larfin1
07-08-2008, 12:00 AM
Interesting thread , i am looking forward to future developments with the oven.
Awesome thread Easy 2thumbs
Anyone who reclaims what was a kitchen centre piece of times gone by gets my vote :)
Are you going to re-enamel the parts that were originally? Or go stove black :shrug:
The 'enamel', I will probably just cleanup and touch up with matching paint. The 'nickel plate', I haven't made that descision. RE-plating is pretty expensive, but I hate a half-assed job, ya' know. I haven't reasearched any DIY for it, either. ;)
The cast iron nd tin that was origonally black, will be cleaned and re-blackened with hi-temp stove paint or stove polish.
I'll be posting pics of the pieces cleaned in the electrolysis vat later today.
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=68
Mr Burns
07-08-2008, 10:43 AM
The 'nickel plate', I haven't made that descision. RE-plating is pretty expensive, but I hate a half-assed job, ya' know.
I was just looking at electro-less plating, $:eek: for something the size you're undertaking.
Have you contacted any commercial outfits? Looking at the price of a DIY job I'd like to know what a commercial outfit charges.
tripps
07-08-2008, 11:20 AM
Have you tried any of the enameled parts yet? I've never done it with anything enameled, 90% of the time it was heavy equiptment parts and stuff, but in my experience it lifts even perfectly adhered paint 100%, IDK if it will take that enamel off or not, but it sure might.
gorilla
07-08-2008, 11:27 AM
this is an awesome thread, easy. what a great project!
I can't wait to see how that stove looks once it's out of that tub.
The 'nickel plate', I haven't made that descision. RE-plating is pretty expensive, but I hate a half-assed job, ya' know.
I was just looking at electro-less plating, $:eek: for something the size you're undertaking.
Have you contacted any commercial outfits? Looking at the price of a DIY job I'd like to know what a commercial outfit charges.
I haven't checked into it on this stove, but I have a buddy that had a few pieces from an "Old Oak" heater that he had redone. It was around $750 for that a few years back.
Have you tried any of the enameled parts yet? I've never done it with anything enameled, 90% of the time it was heavy equiptment parts and stuff, but in my experience it lifts even perfectly adhered paint 100%, IDK if it will take that enamel off or not, but it sure might.
I'm not too keen on trying the enamel parts. I'm hoping it cleans up pretty nice with some naval gelly, or the like.
I got a couple of smaller pieces out of the electro' vat this afternoon. 24 hours or so in it.
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=69
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=70
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=72
CylonBud
07-08-2008, 08:30 PM
It did clean up real nice Easy. Looks to be a little rust left in the spring. :D
holy shit!!! gonna have to remember this DIY ;)
Great job easy considering it wasn't "easy" :p
peace bro...still say your gonna need a bigger bucket :p
(come on you ole timers..."gonna need a bigger boat" :p )
It did clean up real nice Easy. Looks to be a little rust left in the spring. :D
It does a good job, and pretty much labor free. The rust in the spring is there because when the piece comes out of the solution, it needs "cleaned". The process leaves a coat of "magnetite", a black film of "ferrous oxide" (Fe3O4) :p.. If the piece isn't totally cleaned ,dried and treated immeadiatly, it is prone to re-rusting very quickly.
I missed the small spaces in between the spring coils.
holy shit!!! gonna have to remember this DIY
Great job easy considering it wasn't "easy"
peace bro...still say your gonna need a bigger bucket
(come on you ole timers..."gonna need a bigger boat" )
I'm thinking 2" rebar, a horse tank, and the DC welder...:hmmmm:
"magnetite", a black film of "ferrous oxide" (Fe3O4)
:dunce: :p
Fired it up today and "cured" the blacking.
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=216
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=217
http://www.homegrownbud.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=220
Nice work on the oven Easy. :greatjob:2thumbs
looks dang good now bro:D you gonna put it back in the kitchen and use it this winter?
:pass:
CylonBud
08-11-2008, 06:06 PM
Great job easy on the stove. Looks great! Sure would be nice to have one of those to toast things up during the winter. :D
looks dang good now bro:D you gonna put it back in the kitchen and use it this winter?
:pass:
THANKS all.. yep cb, outta' the barn and back to usefull service :D.
tripps
08-12-2008, 08:22 AM
Great job, mate, it's a beauty. As a child my dad once put his dad's shoes in a woodburning stove like that, he couldn't remember why he did it, but he said he remembered the ass whuppin' well. LOL
Mr Burns
08-12-2008, 08:31 AM
What a fantastic piece of kit. Bloody well done Easy.
Gotta say I'm jealous. I can't wait to get back towards solid fuel heating and cooking.
Something like that must be collectable once restored, surely :shrug:
Found one on Ebay for like 2500 bucks
Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71250&item=140143476035)
So it must be a sought after item.
Mr Burns
08-12-2008, 12:22 PM
:eek: I don't know if I'd pay that much for one, but I'm starting to admire it even more now :hippy:
What an excellent thread Easy 2thumbs
You are a man after my own heart :) I spent most of last winter looking at options for much the same project. It all looked like too much work tho :p so I bought a new ironheart (Esse) :laugh:
Really the Mrs don't like Aga style so that was the two most common makes off the list (aga rayburn) Next up I looked at big old Victorian open ranges, they look lovely when done up, but, all of em have open grates over here :rolleyes: I found one on a scrapyard out of a country house, huge great thing over 15ft long and 4 ovens :laugh: bit big that one, trouble is they're designed to burn coke/coal - and well, we couldn't have an open grate cos of the dogs et al, besides wanting to burn wood only - next up was the closed grate style, but those are really far too small for the appliction we wanted it for as they mostly come out of old victorian terrace houses, beside being designed for coke.
I saw quite a few nice woodburning style from the US on ebay, but logistics of getting a ton of cast iron over here made it cost prohibative :( I was waiting for a specific old "Jotul" to come up on ebay, but gave up after a few weeks and ordered the Esse ;)
You've really done a number on that range mate, give yourself a pat on the back, I bet it makes the kitchen :D
San:smokin:
What a fantastic piece of kit. Bloody well done Easy.
Gotta say I'm jealous. I can't wait to get back towards solid fuel heating and cooking.
Something like that must be collectable once restored, surely :shrug:
.with the skyrocketing fuel costs, wood burners are increasingly popular. My wood is free!!
..... all I have to do, is find it, cut it, haul it home, unload it, split it, pack it into the house, and pack the ashes out... ;) hee hee "free" :hmmmm:
I still have the 'warming ovens' to clean up and paint 'n polish. It isn't "fully" restored either. It could use some "re-nickeling", but a good share of it was salvagable.
Found one on Ebay for like 2500 bucks
Holy shit!! that is nearlly identical. Mine doesn't have the thermostat on the oven, nor the nickle legs, and seems to be missing the 'extension' of the top.(far right side).
Just did a rather extensive search for pictures of the "Home Comfort" range that I took out, to be replaced by this one. I found pictures of older ones, but mine was probably a 1930's-40's model. I think it just might wind up on ebay... ;)
SmokinMa
08-17-2008, 12:30 PM
Wow, how awesome Easy!!!!!