Square, scissors and pliers restored

Last Updated 9 November 2024

From different yard sales I had this rusted combination square and the pair of pliers. The scissors are after my grandparents. They were all in need of some attention. All of them are nice tools, much better quality than anything you can buy today. First I sprayed all of them with WD-40 and left them overnight to loosen up the rust in the moving parts.

Next I soaked them in a bath of 12% vinegar overnight, this got rid of most of the rust and dirt. Then I cleaned all the tools with a wire wheel on drill press and gave them a coat of oil. They turned out quite nice.

The scissors needed a little more work, so I tightened up the rivet that connects the two parts by using a small punch and a hammer on the anvil.

Then they were sharpened on a diamond stone with 400 and 1000 grit. They are now tight and sharp and have become my new favorite scissors.