Rusted Tools Cabinet

[Zephyr]

Depending on what you say, I may or may not buy an old tools chest full of rusted items.
The brand is “kinbox” wich I have never heard of (probably Chinese) and the sticker says 367 tools inside.
On a quick inspection, many seem to be very useful (spring compressor, some body repair chisels and hammers, other weird stuff that looks to be some sort of helicoil etc).
But most of them have surface rust and some of them have some pitting when I tried to remove the rust with a wire brush.
asking price is € 350 and I am very tempted.
I have never dealt with rust before, therefore I do not know if they can be salvaged. From what the seller says the kit is more than ten years old or at least that is what he remembers.
should I?
Thanks.

 

[Grumps]

@t-tony one for you me thinks.

 

[t-tony]

@Zephyr , some pictures would really help. Surface rust will clean off ferrous metals easily using Solvol Autosol and plain old steel wool. Thick rubber gloves advised.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Thanks. Will post some photos tomorrow. Have to go back to seller to take some.

 

[Duncodin]

Do the tools have brand names you recognise?

 

[Zephyr]

Do the tools have brand names you recognise?

Googled some names I saw like Vorel, Yato and Fazn.
found them online but no comments about them.
most of my tools are Facom and I am very pleased with them so far.
the brands in the box, are not familiar to me.

 

[t-tony]

Facom are a good tool brand, a French equivalent of Snap-On if you like. They supplied most of the Peugeot tools whe I worked at a dealer, also Simca, Talbot too.
I don't recognise any of the brands you mention.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

This stuff gets good reviews from what I've seen, can't wait to get some rusty things that need sorting out.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[IanA]

Consider an electrolytic bath (for the tools) to remove rust without effort. Just needs each item to be connected but you could do many at once.

 

[IanA]

I use Facom pipe wrenches a lot. Facom supplied the titanium tool kit that you'll find in your Mclaren.

 

[Zephyr]

Consider an electrolytic bath (for the tools) to remove rust without effort. Just needs each item to be connected but you could do many at once.

Would help for bigger tools but not sure about sockets and screwdriver detachable parts.
will post pics later this evening.
imho if i decide to buy them it will be for the value of the chest plus whatever else can be salvaged. They didn't seem to be of a good quality, probably cheap chinese stuff from what I see in the internet.

 

[Zephyr]

I use Facom pipe wrenches a lot. Facom supplied the titanium tool kit that you'll find in your Mclaren.

Aha! Let me check my trunk, I have seen a toolkit but never opened it. I rarely use my Mclaren…

 

[Duncodin]

But the tools in the box aren't facom or any brand anyone has heard of. Sounds like a box of tools that may or may not break when you put a bit of weight on them.

Personally i wouldn't. You mentioned €350. You can buy quite a few good, new, tools for 350

 

[Zephyr]

I agree. I was tempted by the box itself. Seven shelves, wheels and a sturdy top to work on.
The spring compressor and other bits would be a bonus if they are any good.
I will post some pics later on and maybe make a lowball offer if we decide to proceed.

 

[Duncodin]

Actually. I'm looking at tool cabinets. They can be very expensive.

As for spring compressor. Having a spanner or socket round off is one thing. But having a spring come flying at you is a one way ticket to that big cheapskate workshop in the sky.

 

[t-tony]

Having experienced a P205 front spring full in the face a few years ago I have to agree. Pretty painful. Luckily I had plastic lenses in my glasses at that time, and there is still a bit of it floating around under the skin 31 years later.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

ok. Point made.
these old ones, may be good, may be not. I will stick to facom and fukem.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

You could maybe just try using things and rely on common sense to guide you. Or not.

 

[Zephyr]

You could maybe just try using things and rely on common sense to guide you. Or not.

Every time I experimented with anything, it was either a visit to the hospital or my butt hurt. Sometimes both…
I will let this pass.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Every time I experimented with anything, it was either a visit to the hospital or my butt hurt. Sometimes both…
I will let this pass.

That's the trouble with common sense, it's sometimes rarer than you'd think from the name.