"amdx" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I picked up a Harbor Freight milling machine like this,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=KBZQcH-Syjg
except this one was in a building damaged by a hurricane. So it
has some pretty heavy surface rust on a lot of it.
Is there a method to start the rust removal, I don't know if I should
start with a chemical method or what.
I don't expect to go all out on a restoration, I paid $100, not because
it was worth that to me, but it was a buddy and I just got it out of the
way before he destroys the building.
So, where do I start?

Surface rust is your friend on neglected machine tools, stops more serious
deep pitting of surfaces. Only problem happens when something was piled on
surfaces
that holds water in contact for long periods of time.
Any oil/grime left on the machine will help
I would try a scotchbrite pad and some WD40 or paint thinner as lube
Maybe finer grades of steel wool if it's really thick
usually the rust layer is pretty thin. You can also lightly stone the bed
to brighten it up.
I beleive you can use evaporust soaked rags on surfaces to remove rust
available at HarborFreight around here (Idaho)
Many youtube vids on rust removal