How Do You Free Up Hand Tools?
• Take apart the tool needing to be unfrozen. • Clean the parts with WD-40 or some other type of rust cleaner and scrub well with a wire brush. • Put tool back together and spray with some penetrating oil (e.g. Knock’er Loose, Micro Mist, etc.) From my experience, WD-40 is good at cleaning and rust removal but not for long term prevention. • Work the tool for a few minutes to make sure it is in good working condition. • Understand that if further maintenance is needed, you can put a desired amount of some type of gear oil in a bucket. • Put a long wire on the end of the tool and leave in the oil for 24 to 48 hours. Learn that for larger tools like pipe wrenches, channel locks, larger crescents, etc. applying a lubricant compound (Never-Seez) to the moving parts will help with lubrication and protection.
