Volunteer’s Week: Money for Old Rope(ry Tools)
Volunteers’ Week: Money for Old Rope(ry Tools)
This Volunteers’ Week, we take a look at how volunteers play an important role in all aspects of the Dockyard, both big and small.
About Ian
The Historic Dockyard’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, Pip, introduces volunteer Ian and the vital role that he plays within the organisation-
Ian is one of the Dockyard’s volunteers who lends a hand wherever he can. As a learning volunteer, he helps with our school visits and supports learning activities on and off-site. He also gets involved with our community engagement programme and is an active member of the Chatham Dockyard Historical Society.
No task is too big or small for Ian, and last year he won the office ‘Dockyard Bake Off’ with a delicious Lemon Devil cake. Somewhere amongst all that, he’s even been helping out Alex Rowling from the Master Ropemakers. Ian wanted to share his Ropery project and how he gave a new lease of life to some well-used tools.
Ian’s Rust Removal Challenge
Just before Christmas and while we were making rope-based wreaths, Alex Rowling produced some rusty old tools that she intended to throw out. I offered to try and rescue them. Now that the weather has got a bit warmer, I have ventured into my garage to give it a go.
Initially, I was interested in trying out the electrolysis method. I set up a suitable tank using an old laptop DC charger. It was cold, and I rushed the process, so I did not enjoy the success that the YouTubers presented in their videos. Hence, waiting for spring and this mini heatwave.
Meanwhile, I researched some other methods of removing rust and decided to use the one involving a powerful acid bath and some disposable gloves. See the photo of me being silly with my finger in the acid. Luckily for my finger, the acid is just some household vinegar suitable for Friday night’s fish and chips. The gloves are for handling the tools afterwards because the black residue is difficult to get off your hands.
The rust comes off in a day or two of soaking. The tool then goes into a bath of bicarbonate of soda to neutralise the acid. I am told that surfaces become vulnerable to rusting again. A bit of elbow grease is required to rub off the black stuff with a wire brush and wire wool, and the tool looks almost new. A bit of 3 in 1 to finish should protect them until next Christmas and ease the bearings.
Since we are a museum, it is appropriate to note that most of these tools bear the logo of “Wilko” and are therefore museum pieces already!
