miriam

Use the little cupped wire brush. Just turn the wheel as you go. Or you can take the hand wheel off and clean it that way.

SteveH

I don't trust myself with handheld power tools... I use hand wirebrush....

Skyangel

I use my Dremmel for silversmithing work. The red polishing compound that comes with it is a red rouge and possiblly too course for your hand wheel. I thinks Steve's method sounds safer with the brass brush by hand. If you really want to use the Dremmel, try a fine buffing coumpound called "Zam" on a felt wheel or muslin buff. Zam is used for polishing stones in lapidary work as well as jewelry.

http://www.amazon.com/Zam-Buffing-Co...rds=zam+polish

SteveH

x2 on the Zam. It is my polish of choice for buffing wheels. (I also use Formax products on hard steel)

Stitchnripper

I tried the Brasso, let it sit and then used brass brush. Lots of work for no difference (sad face)

SteveH

hmmm, if you could post a pic or two, It might help troubleshoot what is going on. I have done this to more that a dozen machines.

Worse case scenario, if you want to remove the handwheel, ship it to me, I'll polish it. I've done that for a couple folks here already)

Stitchnripper

Picture is at top. Not much of change. A little "dirt" came off, but, no change in appearance.

Cecilia S.

Oooh, Steve, you be careful with that generous spirit there, or I will ship you my Whole Entire F&R!!! ;-)

Cecilia S.

I had fairly good results on a -very- rusty handwheel using sewing machine oil and 320 wet-dry sandpaper. It came to a really nice dark lustrey steeley grey. You can turn the wheel at the end, for a polishing action; but prior to that, I found that holding the wheel steady with one hand, and doing oily swaths of about three inches in each direction, really took off the rust. This is my F &R handcrank, which I spent most of the past two days on. I will post photos soon, when all is said and done. Good luck with yours!!! Steve is Da Bomb, though. I'd go with whatever he says.

p.s. Stitchnripper, for me, the wire brush did not work on the handle. The wire brush was great for taking off loose plating, and loose rust and gunk residue once marinated in Evaporust; but for the handwheel it did not help me much. Maybe try ther sandpaper and oil...

Stitchnripper

Thanks, Steve, for your generous offer. Cecilia S, I'm going to try your suggestion next. It is 100 years old, so I don't expect it to look "new", but would like it to be at least as clean as I can get it.