best tool i've ever used in cleaning up rusty parts - steel wool grade 0000. only use this and nothing else. it makes the metal rust free and shiny.

Singerguy, did you soak it in anything first? I have soaked those in water with a pinch of citric acid then used a green scrubby and had good results. Some times I've had to use a wire brush to get all of it off though.

0000 Steel wool with Brasso is the fasted method I have found

i just cleaned it with water and soap first to get rid of some dirt. that's all. but on all the rusty and grimy metal parts, i found out that wiping it with 0000 steel wool will make it shiny and clean. i used metal brush on a dremel before but since discovering the steel wool, i stopped using it. thanks,

steveh - i have not tried it with Brasso. i will the next time around. thanks.

A tool tip for beginners and old hands as well, is when taking out old screws (or anything threaded) that have not been unscrewed for a long time, remember to reverse the direction of the screw after a few turns coming out, screw it back in just a bit, and then reverse the direction again to continue removing the screw. I do this more than once on longer-winded screws or threaded fittings like presser foot adjusters.

Reversing the direction of rotation once in a while during removal will help shed the debris that gets trapped in the threads of a dirty bolt or screw, and help avoid forcing the debris deeper into the threads. It’s sometimes hard to remember, but when you feel the screw or bolt begin to tighten up, screw it back in a little bit and then go back to unscrewing it.

I just thought of that tip while I was screwing around.......

CD in Oklahoma

to go along with CD's suggestion. Take a few minutes to wire brush off the threads before you put them back. I also take a oiled q-tip and twist/thread it into then back out of the hole to clean it out.

I had to get a pool noodle. I cut it up and I keep pieces around the shop. Well, the other day all the DGKs were over here. I was working with Wilbur on a clone. Everything that could go wrong was wrong with that machine. And yes we propped it with a noodle. DD handed Emma over to me. Yup 'helping' grandma work on machines at 7 months. She wanted all my tools. Someone handed her a noodle piece. She LOVED the noodle piece. She kept trying to put her hand in the hole. Then she hugged it. Then she put her fingers in each end hole. Then she found out she could drop the noodle.... Wow new cool toy.

Miriam, your indoctrination of your DGKs is amazing. We have so much to learn :p

Hopefully it won't take them as long to learn stuff as it did me... LOL

You didn't have you to teach you things ;)