Black fly season has started - Event Date: 17 May 2016

Thanks we're at Lafayette campground in NH now headed to Quechee on Friday. No black flies here.

You sure that wasn't a Black Fly trying to fool you? So what did you catch?

fred

Black flies in our area, Traverse City and Kewadin usually last about 2 weeks, thankful it is a short season. As soon as they are gone, this year should be around Memorial Day weekend, the mosquitoes take their place!

In the UP the season is longer and the black flies more numerous, will find out when their season ends.  Will get back to you on that when I find out.

Electrolytic Rust Remover. I'm guessing you got all the parts laying around 'cept for the re-bar.

5 gallon bucket.
8 pieces 12 inch rebar (about $1.10 a piece @ HD)
A couple of feet of Romex - take it apart.
Arm & Hammer Super washing Soda

Create a circuit around the top of the bucket by drilling holes and use the romex ground wire in small pieces to strap the re-bar (sacrificial anodes) to the sides of the bucket. Use more pieces of insulated romex to connect the anodes to each other.

Put enough water in bucket to cover whatever you are removing rust from. I just fill to about 5 gallons and add 1/3 cup (tablespoon/gal) washing soda to create electrolyte.

You are going to wire or clamp or put in metal basket the items you want to de-rust to create a cathode. I use picture hanging wire just tied to the item or to a metal clamp holding the item.

Now go find that old battery charger I know you got sitting around. Mine is an old Shumacher 10 amp charger. Hook positive to anode circuit (rebar) and negative to rusty circuit. I attach it to the picture hanging wire wrapped around a piece of wood. Don't let the rusty stuff touch the re-bar - it will create a short.

Turn the charger on.

It will probably start bubbling right away as the electrolysis begins, and the rust starts moving from the rusty stuff to the anodes. If you want to create a big bomb, you could try to capture the hydrogen from the bubbles. Otherwise, you might want to make sure there is a little ventilation.

It's self regulating, so leave the rusty stuff in and current running as long as you think it might take. Rusty antique pliers took about 3-4 hours. A rusted steel square took a couple of hours. My neglected vise grips are in for the night.

Remove, rinse and wipe or use wire brush to remove dirt and loose rust. Dry real good. I use heat gun. I use a light coat of 3-1 oil.

Here's a couple of items I did earlier today. Both were pretty badly rusted. Couldn't read the scale on the Stanley No. 20 or see the brass and the old pliers barely opened.

If you decide to use your swimming pool to de-rust your trailer frame or Datsun, you might need a bit more power.

Fun stuff!

Thanks Stephen. Where the heck did I come up with Armour Hammer?

I kinda feel bad for hijacking Leo's thread, but maybe this might work for poaching trout?

Here's a closeup of the anode circuit and the result of leaving my Vise Grips in overnight. Wish I knew about this when I lived in salty South Florida!