Restoring a #63 folding rule

[Bob Easton]

There's a very neat article about making tools, specifically folding rules, at Colonial Williamsburg. See "Tools for the Times (http://www.history.org/Foundation/journal/Holiday06/tools.cfm)."
Many thanks to Dan O'Sullivan for pointing it out here (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=136009).

That article got me to thinking about my old Stanley #63, and whether our very kind George Wilson might have advice.

My old Stanley #63 is in very good shape. It's still straight. All of its hinges are in great condition. It is missing one pin, but I'll remedy that shortly. The ONLY thing bothersome about it is that the surfaces that face outward are darkened enough to reduce legibility ... and my eyes are almost as old as the rule, further reducing legibility.

Of course, when I really care, I open it up and use the inside surfaces which have a little better contrast. Yet, it would be really great to restore or improve the contrast of the outer rules.

What I think I want is to darken the markings. I don't think that bleaching or lightening the wood will help much. It's already had a oxalic acid bath that helped only slightly.

Now, it would be really great to have one of those Williamsburg rules! :)

[Roger Davis IN]

Bob:
Check out Chris Schwarz's blog at Woodworking magazine. His post for 13 April 2009 was Restore a Folding Rule (http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Restore+A+Folding+Rule.aspx) . He used oxalic acid to good effect.

RD

[Bob Easton]

Thanks Roger.
I've already tried one form of oxalic acid (I erroneously said carbolic above). I used a "deck restorer" product from the home center which has oxalic acid as its main ingredient.

Perhaps it is not as strong as what Chris used. Probably not. Almost all the home store stuff has been so watered down that its safe for children and dogs to drink.