MT end mills slightly corroded

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

(How to restore)

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

I have inherited some end mills with a MT2 shank which is mucky and mildly corroded.

What is the best way to clean the Morse Taper.

There is plenty of advise about cleaning female Morse Tapers but I would appreciate advice on cleaning the male Taper

Very many thanks

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Mildly abrasive material mounted on bench grinder or similar?

Wire wool?

Brass wire wheels?

Paint stripping flapwheels?

Elbow grease with sheet materials?

Edited By not done it yet on 05/05/2021 06:22:55

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Fine (maroon coloured) Scotchbrite pads after degreasing.

Nigel B.

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

Oil and Scotchbrite or wire wool, don’t use anything that will remove metal as you risk changing taper shape. Old machine shops often have rusty looking tapers around, at least they did in my days.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

I find the stainless steel pan scourers to be very effective, not as messy as wire wool For example, these.

Links to https://www.diy.com/departments/stainless-steel-scourer-pack-of-4/3663602564775_BQ.prd

Rob

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Well I use a fairly worn smooth file by holding the drill in one hand and lightly brushing the taper lengthwise in a draw file fashion, but I do go all the way round regardless, which takes the worst off and any dings and then finish off with Scotchbrite, although I don't make them all shiny polished. Never had any problems with any not running true with this method and they always hold in just like a brand new one.

Regards Nick.

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

Very many thanks to everybody who responded.

Since I'm Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, I'm NOT going out a present so would like to use "stuff" that I have here if possible.

Is Chestnut Product's "Nyweb" the same as Scotchbrite?

How about the similar looking pads aimed at the Washing-up market.

I realised after posting my original message that there's an egregious typographical error! I know that it is possible to edit messages (because I often see a note that a message was edited) but how exactly does one do that please?

I really do NOT want any readers to think that I can't spell!

With best wishes and thanks again.

MC

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Posted by MC Black on 05/05/2021 11:31:56:

I really do NOT want any readers to think that I can't spell!

Just assumed that you were American .

 

There is an edit button shown to the poster in the green bar above the post, but the opportunity goes away after a while.

 

(Edited because I forgot where the button was)

Edited By Mark Rand on 05/05/2021 11:44:07

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

Posted by Mark Rand on 05/05/2021 11:43:24:

Posted by MC Black on 05/05/2021 11:31:56:

I really do NOT want any readers to think that I can't spell!

Just assumed that you were American .

There is an edit button shown to the poster in the green bar above the post, but the opportunity goes away after a while.

(Edited because I forgot where the button was)

Edited By Mark Rand on 05/05/2021 11:44:07

I really would NOT want anybody to think I was American. I just have trouble typing!

Why does the opportunity to edit "go away"?

Perhaps that's an opportunity for improving the interface!

With best wishes and thanks again.

MC Black (Dr.)

 

Edited By MC Black on 05/05/2021 11:56:48

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Is Chestnut Product's "Nyweb" the same as Scotchbrite?

This appears to be a similar product to Scotchbrite – the red (600 grit) or orange (1000 grit) pads should work fine.

Using WD40 or similar as a lubricant works well – my "go to" solution for cleaning up tarnished / rusty ground surfaces.

Nigel B.

[Adrian R2Participant @adrianr2]

Thinking about function and fit: Rust or loose material needs to be gently removed without changing the shape of the taper, light pitting isn't going to make any practical difference but if there are any dings or bumps then ensure that the edges of these are not proud of the surface otherwise they will prevent a good grip and might score the inside of the female part if it spins in use.

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

I would prefer soaking in Evaporust over application of abrasives.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

John,

There are abrasives and abrasives, Use depends on the duty. Look up the Mhos scale. Talc is not particularly abrasive, but diamond will scratch everything else.

The Mhos scale refers mainly to minerals, but put simply one requires a harder material to abrade any object. The mild corrosion on tooling will have a different hardness and so may well be abraded by a mineral which will not abrade the steel. It’s why scotchbrite is used to polish up a finish rather than grinding away the base metal.

On top of that there are different grades of any particular abrasive. Coarse which leave large scratch marks and fine which removes tiny amounts of material. Sensible selection of the correct abrasive will work perfectly adequately.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I've had some fantastic results with an ultrasonic cleaner on some old taps and dies.

Evaporust is also very effective.

Jim

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I've had some fantastic results with an ultrasonic cleaner on some old taps and dies.

Evaporust is also very effective.

Jim

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

Posted by jimmy b on 08/05/2021 07:43:18:

I've had some fantastic results with an ultrasonic cleaner on some old taps and dies.

Evaporust is also very effective.

Jim

Very many thanks to everybody for taking the time to respond.

I had NOT heard of Evaporust before today.

I have discovered that the nearest supplier is over 75 miles away. Courier companies have extreme difficulties in making satisfactory deliveries to my home – so mail order is something that I avoid.

Is Evaporust the same as Shield Technology RESTORE?

I would be cautious about putting these End Mills in an Ultrasonic Bath in case the solution damaged the cutting edges.

With best wishes and thanks again.

MC

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I prefer wire wool and oil, don't expect to make the surface pretty, just mainly rust free.

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

What's wrong about being American?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

you don't make it clear if they are tanged or threaded, the ones I have are tanged and are under the bench and thats where they will stay

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

Posted by mark costello 1 on 08/05/2021 18:30:24:

What's wrong about being American?

Americans speak a different language.

[Dr. MC BlackParticipant @dr-mcblack73214]

Posted by bernard towers on 08/05/2021 18:40:29:

you don't make it clear if they are tanged or threaded, the ones I have are tanged and are under the bench and thats where they will stay

They have Morse Taper 2 shanks.

I did NOT notice any threaded holes for a drawbar but they are presently in the shed and it's cold outside.

Does that make a difference as far as cleaning up the taper is concerned?

They are quite large sizes and I would like to avoid throwing them away, if possible

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

I have some with 6 flutes on MT3 tanged shanks, use them occasionally on the lathe from the tailstock to bottom out drilled holes before boring. Never tried to use them as milling cutters in a spindle but I guess that was one of their uses when new.

Emgee

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

the ones I have are tanged and are under the bench and thats where they will stay

No problem at all as long as they were used to cut axially?

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I would also avoid using any tanged cutter sideways, it is looking for trouble. That is why mills use drawbars.

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