oldguy Posted January 19, 2011 Posted January 19, 2011 I just made the rounds to a few local machine shops looking for iron filings. One had a few 5 gallon buckets full that they were willing to part with fairly cheap.Question here is, the filings/turnings are oil coated. Does that matter?If so, is there some fairly simple easy way to remove the oily coating?
dagabu Posted January 19, 2011 Posted January 19, 2011 There are a few ways to clean them but for storage, oil is fine, it will keep them from rusting. When you want to use them, I suggest the use use soap and water in a deep bucket, was the oil off and rinse them in the bucket. Iron will not rust in the water, it needs oxygen. I take the freshly cleaned iron turnings and dump them into an electric fry pan (outside) and heat them to dry them quickly. Once dry, I add a clump of bees wax, if it smokes, turn the heat way down, 200° if fine for this. Coat all of the iron with wax bur use it sparingly, don't get it dripping wet. Dump the pile on a piece of kraft and spread it around with something other then your hand (OUCH!) Break up the lumps when cool and store in a paper bag.
Ralph Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 whats wrong with using oil coated iron filings some people use linseed coated and Ive never had a problem using the ones I have that are coated in machine oil they still function beautifully in fountains
Mumbles Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Linseed oil doesn't stay liquid though. The problem is that over time it will seep away, and be vulnerable to attack where as something coated with wax or linseed oil (which solidifies over time) will generally protect it much longer.
Ralph Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 I usually fire my fountains immediately max storage is a week I guess thats why I haven't noticed a problem
Bonny Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Linseed oil doesn't stay liquid though. The problem is that over time it will seep away, and be vulnerable to attack where as something coated with wax or linseed oil (which solidifies over time) will generally protect it much longer. It will take awhile, I'd guess weeks at least (when exposed to the elements) for the oil to run off. If stored in a sealed container I think the shavings, filings would last months or more before rusting. I have a tub full of brake turnings (in a sealed plastic container) over 1 year old and still no rust, without any additional treatment.
oldguy Posted January 20, 2011 Author Posted January 20, 2011 "brake turnings"........ Smart, I never thought of that one.
Bonny Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 "brake turnings"........ Smart, I never thought of that one. They seem to work just fine, and I've never had any other iron to compare them to. The "processed" turnings I have were screened to get the large particles out, then washed in naptha or something (it was awhile ago) and then treated with linseed oil. They still look great (no rust) a year or so later. The other tub, is straight from the auto shop and still looked fine (rust free) the last time I opened it.
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