Quite pleased with electrolysis results

Too much of the white stuff on the ground to go detecting so I decided to build a 5 gallon electrolysis unit to start cleaning up some iron relics. I was happy with the results on my first attempt on a little hatchet I found last time out.

Before:



After:



Here's my set up. I had everything I needed hanging around the house already. I had an old battery charger (manual kind, automatic chargers no good), and some rebar that I used for the sacrificial anodes.



Below is another hatchet going in for treatment.

Looks good!

:shocked03::clapping::clapping:I like it ! I really should make one this winter

Did you decide if that first hatchet is a colonial tomahawk or not?

That was an excellent job on the hatchet!

Here`s my set-up

DaddyDigger said:

Did you decide if that first hatchet is a colonial tomahawk or not?

Click to expand...

Hey DD, I haven't quite figured that out yet. I've looked at a thousand pics of axes, hatchets and tomahawks and really haven't found a match yet. The handle eye is oval and only like 5/8 by 1/2 inch. There are some tomahawks that have a very narrow haft like that. I might have to spend $20 and send pics and measurements to an expert if I want a definitive ID.


Nice compact set up you have there Robbie.

I'd be pleased with results like that too! :yes:
Turned out good! :thumbsup01:

Can you share a link to the plans for one of these.
It looks simple to build looking at the pics, not sure what the liquid is? What to set the charger at?
How long for results?
Thanks
BT

bigdob said:

Can you share a link to the plans for one of these.
It looks simple to build looking at the pics, not sure what the liquid is? What to set the charger at?
How long for results?
Thanks
BT

Click to expand...

I read about this method a few years ago. I was a little nervous about it at first (not to get zapped) or fry my coin. The liquid is water, the higher the amps the faster it takes. I use about a teaspoon of salt to a cup of water. At first I used a s.s spoon for the neg., but I ruined a lot of spoons that way. I now use a carbon rod. Using in a well vented area. You can use a phone jack adapter and metal alligator clips( not the copper ones)instead of a charger. Hope this helps.

Lodge Scent said:

Hey DD, I haven't quite figured that out yet. I've looked at a thousand pics of axes, hatchets and tomahawks and really haven't found a match yet. The handle eye is oval and only like 5/8 by 1/2 inch. There are some tomahawks that have a very narrow haft like that. I might have to spend $20 and send pics and measurements to an expert if I want a definitive ID.


Nice compact set up you have there Robbie.

Click to expand...

Thanks ,it`s like a science project

I pretty much used this guy's design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enymJGPbtf4

Here are some of my iron relics after electrolysis. Wish I had "before" pics. Some relics like that horse were barely recognizable. I use sections of rebar for the sacrificial anode and 2 tablespoons of baking soda per gallon of water. One very good tip I picked up from Aquachigger's video was to drill a hole into your large iron relics and insert a screw, then attach the alligator clip to the screw. Much better and faster results that way because you have a good connection. My charger has 3 settings. I usually use the highest (6 amp, 12 volt). Needless to say, you need to keep your head in the game and do things safely. Depending on the size of the relic and the amount of rust, it usually takes 2 to 5 days. I'll stop it once or twice to brush off loose rust and reposition the relic.

That did come out really nice!