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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    201

    Default What to do with bolt heads and nuts?

    Here's a question for all you guys who restore old metalworking machines.

    What finish do you apply to exposed bolt heads and nuts to prevent them rusting? I sometimes paint bolt heads to match surrounding metalwork, but the paint often chips during assembly, and when assembly is complete there is usually grease everywhere so touching up the paint chips isn't an option.

    I've found from a cosmetic point of view that in large frame assembly bolts and nuts painting to match the surrounding cast iron is the only option. And on woodworking machinery where there wont be oil or cutting fluid around to stave off corrosion paint seems the best option.

    And on a metal lathe for instance the bare steel is OK because everything will get soaked in oil. But I'm wondering what options there are for smaller bolts or ones that won't necessarily get a regular coating of oil?

    Liquidised blackening solution? Heat bluing? Treating with phosphoric acid and hoping for the best?

    What do you guys do?

    Thanks,
    Graham.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,628

    Default

    It's a bit old school but I sometimes oil blacken.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    201

    Default

    DSEL74,

    Old school is entirely appropriate for what I'm restoring.

    Can you tell us how you do this? How long does it last?

    Graham.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,628

    Default

    Heat em up and quench them in old sum oil. Fumes are not good so do outside in well ventilated area. Wipe them off with some newspaper.

    Not sure how long it lasts as I haven't done anything that's been around long term yet.

    Other thing I do is a mix of turps, boiled linseed oil, and beeswax. Apply it to black hot metal so it just smokes. Can touch up cold once fitted.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

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