u/nickisaboss

bone saw (?) in process

I just wanted to inform others about this tip I recently was turned on to. Sewing machine oil is excellent in application as a tool oil/derusting substance!

It is extremely inexpensive, has good rust removal properties, has little to no smell, and good persistence on steel. Additionally, it does not stain clothing! I am not sure how that works, but it is great. It might be susceptible to attack by detergents, I am not sure. I haven't tested this property yet.

It is very low viscosity, and has decent penetrating properties. Its lubrication properties are decent, but not super spectacular by any means. So it probably would be a poor choice for a high-use dynamic application like bearings or hinges.

Not sure as to its exposure hazards. The bottle lacked a prop 65 warning, as well as any GHS signaling or resources for an SDS sheet. That may be because mine was sourced from China. But even chinese oil should have GGS pictograms if it was sufficiently hazardous.

Picture is of an old bone saw in restoration. It was my father's, and his father's before that. It was covered in so much rust that it had the texture of felt. Coarse rust was removed with medium grit steel wool, sanded with 320 grit on a palm sander, cleaned with acetone, and then generously oiled with sewing machine oil. Then hung over a trash can to let the excess drip off for a few days.

Blade feels smooth as high thread linen. Im pretty happy with how its going. It still feels ever so slightly wet, not sure if that will change or not if its left to hang longer.