Electrolysis for cast iron

[skeets]

OK I need some input from the lectronic geeks,, Yesterday Lil Brother dropped off a bunch of cast iron cooking stuff, he found when they were cleaning out Sis's old barn. Rust 2.0 to say the least ,gunk, and well other things I really dont want to think about. Now i have cleaned lots of cast iron cook wear over the years, and bring it back to usable condition for the next several generations. And using a battery charger washing soda and time most stuff comes out pretty OK. However, while 12 volt DC with a 2 amp charge works OK for most stuff. I was struck with an idea stemming from years ago in the BOM days. 600 volts DC was being inverted in to 240 3p AC with a chopper circuit we came up with. So I was wondering if we take that and go backwards, rectifying 120 1p in to some DC voltage out put being 12 ,24, 48 volts, and instead of using a flat DC wave chopping it to some freq. My thought are the ensuing pulses would help detach rust and what not from the iron. Anybody?

 

[kubotafreak]

Sounds like a “noisy”plan, you using a vfd? Or some fancy lab power supply.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you use a single diode with 120 volt lint you will get pulsed DC in an approximate sine wave peaking at nearly 180 volts. Going to a full wave rectifier will mean closer pulses.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

1) you need a DC power supply or an OLD 'battery charger' as the newer SCR based or computer ones won't work. Those must see a battery voltage before coming on. Old units are just a transfomer and 1 or 2 diodes. It's a 'pulsating' DC voltage, 60 or 120 times a second.

2) the required voltage is based upon the distance between the work piece and the electrode pieces. the further the distance, the greater the voltage needs to be.

3) the higher the current, the faster the action happens, more 'perimeter pieces' is better. 2 amps is a weak operation, I usually go for 10-12 amps, with 8-12 'electrodes' around the perimeter. I have some nice 12V 25A transformers here for my next 'project',should make for a very aggressive( FAST) operation.

Remember this is a 'line of sight' operation so you can't remove rust from inside a hole.

 

[Sparky Prep]

Agree with everyone else here. While technically possible, it sounds like you going for a Rube Goldberg solution. Perhaps just use a sandblaster, and then re-season from scratch. If you don't have a sandblaster booth, borrow a friend's, pay a shop, of buy one from Harbor Freight. All these options are simpler, and cheaper than what you are proposing.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Agree with everyone else here. While technically possible, it sounds like you going for a Rube Goldberg solution. Perhaps just use a sandblaster, and then re-season from scratch. If you don't have a sandblaster booth, borrow a friend's, pay a shop, of buy one from Harbor Freight. All these options are simpler, and cheaper than what you are proposing.

Agreed, but go with Soda Blasting. Fast and clean.

 

[cthomas]

Or walnut blasting as less chance of warpage, or I have done this in the past 1. case of beer 2. whatever you want sand blasted 3. The local place that does tomb stones for cemetery 4. drop 1-3 off and give them a week

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

This sounds fairly quick and easy?
I also have a soda blaster and a walnut / sand blaster cabinet.

How to Fix Your Rusty Cast Iron - Southern Cast Iron

After Hurricane Harvey’s flood waters receded, my cast-iron cookware was covered in rust. Is it a total loss? —Amy F., Texas THE SOLUTION: A little surface rust on a cast-iron skillet can often be remedied with steel wool and some elbow grease. But for removing serious rust, Jeff Rogers offers...

southerncastiron.com

 

[fried1765]

This sounds fairly quick and easy?
I also have a soda blaster and a walnut / sand blaster cabinet.

How to Fix Your Rusty Cast Iron - Southern Cast Iron

After Hurricane Harvey’s flood waters receded, my cast-iron cookware was covered in rust. Is it a total loss? —Amy F., Texas THE SOLUTION: A little surface rust on a cast-iron skillet can often be remedied with steel wool and some elbow grease. But for removing serious rust, Jeff Rogers offers...

southerncastiron.com

I have used glass beads for cleaning also.

 

[xrocketengineer]

 

[skeets]

Interesting, I would like to see how you guys are set up. And then I can improve my set up

 

[Tughill Tom]

Have a look at this, I had a small portable one and gave it away when I moved. it worked great on small stuff. Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit (harborfreight.com) Go with a Med grit soda.
I had a bigger full cabinet when I worked, Hum I don't miss those days!

 

[BruceP]

To remove rust -- EVAPO-RUST!!
..can be reused over and over and over till it evaporates.

Evapo-Rust™ Rust Remover - 1 Gallon

Amazing deals on this 1 Gallon Evapo-Rust Rust Remover at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[motionclone]

I got the best, most cost effective solution to your problem:
$27 gets you a brand new, mouse never sh!t in, bats never sh!t in, moldless, rustless, pre-seasoned set from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Kitch...9&sr=1-7-965fba24-1eed-4536-936e-b447f98a83bc

 

[JimmyJazz]

Perhaps this question in its present form should be submitted to NASA . I just bought a nice cast iron cook set off of Amazon for $80 shipping included. Made in USA. Check out "Cowboy Kent Rollins" on YouTube. I blame him for my purchase.

 

[skeets]

You guys are too much
Really , I do like old iron, this pile have 2 old corn bread pans, look like ears of corn, one is a Griswold the other I think is Birmingham. And the pans, well as near as I can figure early 1900's, most likely Wagner since they are not marked, some of the lower cost items from the foundry's were not marked and sold in like company stores at a lower cost, the marked ones were the top dollar items. And yes the corn bread was good, I did try a test batch,,, but I need chili to be sure they are good

 

[bird dogger]

Here's my inexpensive soda blaster when I don't want to fire up and change over the sandblast cabinet;
This Speedblaster and the feed grade soda can clean alot of goods on the cheap. You do need an aircompressor, of course.

 

[leveraddict]

I have brought back a few old cast pans and pots pulled from a barn with no more than a good vinegar soak, elbow grease and steel wool. A coating of oil after and in the oven....done.