Rusty Saw

**Jeffery** · 07-21-2011, 05:48 PM

About five years ago I bought a nice tree trimming saw, the type with a long extendable handle to reach high branches. It cost about $40 but it worked real well. Then about a month ago my brother asked to borrow it. Today he finally brought it back but the blade is badly rusted. Apparently he left it outside in the rain for a whole month! I am so angry with him. Is there any way to clean it up? Is it even worth saving?

**Evan** · 10-18-2011, 10:21 AM

Whether it is worth it or not, just depends on what is more valuable to you - a few hours of your time or $40 to buy another one. I often find old Disston hand saws that are in utterly contemptible condition and with a few hours of elbow grease and some basic products that you can find at the local hardware store, can have them looking almost new.

If you want to rehab the entire saw, let me know, but if it is just the blade I would remove the blade (usually just 3-4 screws on the handle) and sand it with 220 grit and mineral spirits for lubrication. This is a good way to remove the rust and get the blade looking shiny again without having to mess with chemical rust removers, etc.

Good luck!!

**seikialice88** · 12-07-2011, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Evan

Whether it is worth it or not, just depends on what is more valuable to you - a few hours of your time or $40 to buy another one. I often find old Disston hand saws that are in utterly contemptible condition and with a few hours of elbow grease and some basic products that you can find at the local hardware store, can have them looking almost new.

If you want to rehab the entire saw, let me know, but if it is just the blade I would remove the blade (usually just 3-4 screws on the handle) and sand it with 220 grit and mineral spirits for lubrication. This is a good way to remove the rust and get the blade looking shiny again without having to mess with chemical rust removers, etc.

Good luck!!

Thanks you for the post.

**johnmuller** · 04-07-2012, 04:30 AM

Oh, thank you Evan, I have the same problem.

**Michall** · 04-27-2012, 10:05 AM

Some solid sanding plus lubrication should bring the blade back like new. It happened a few months ago to the saw I loved after my boy left it rusting in the backyard and the procedure really worked

**19eagle67** · 09-29-2012, 02:35 PM

Just wire wheel it, oil it up. no big thing.

**Woodwork Guy** · 10-29-2012, 09:50 AM

You can use rust removers like Evaporust or even electrolysis to clean up the saw plate. If the saw plate is straight and the teeth need a little tuning up, it will be worth it. Like many things, they don't make them like they used to.