Slick

[Larry]

I turned up this slick maybe 15 years ago plowing a field on our farm.  Never could figure out what it was doing in a field out in the mid-west.  Thought I would turn a new handle for it and make it into a wall hanger.  Don't think it could be a using tool as the rust is to heavy.

How long would the original handle have been?

[Tom]

Might've dropped off of a wagon way back when. You were pretty much in the "road to the west' weren't you?  You might have something from before there was an Oregon.

[Mobilesawyer]

It looks like your slick is about 4" wide  by what 22" long. The handle would between 16" and 20" long. Shape is a matter of preference but the balance point should be slightly ahead of the the forward hand position for comfortable use. You might want to size it so it looks nice on the wall though.

[Larry]

All type of woodworkers settled in and around this area to build the covered wagons, wheels, barrels, and etc. needed for the journey west during the 1849 gold rush.  Most stayed in this area.  All sort of old tools turn up from time to time.  Most common are draw knifes and a lot of bigger chisels.  Only seen a few slicks as I think? they were mostly used for building boats.  I've never seen one this large.  It has a little crown on the socket like maybe somebody was using it as a wedge to split firewood.

Sure would make an interesting story about it falling off a covered wagon headed west. ;D  Lewis & Clark camped about ½ mile away.  Maybe it belongs to one of them? :D :D

Mobilesawyer, this thing weighs 7 pounds so it would take a big handle to get the balance point.  I'll just turn something that looks nice on it.

[Tom]

That's what it is, a Slick that belonged to Lewis and Clarke's expedition.  Matter of fact it belonged to the ship's carpenter, Slick, from New York City.......New York City ! ? !

That's where they got the name "slick" from, Seaman Slick.

......and that's the rest of the story. :D

[DanG]

It's slick, allright, but it ain't as slick as boiled okra. ;D  Did I mention boiled okra on butterbeans?  It just cries out for some fried ham and cornbread!  Strangely, that don't go so well with grits. But, if you chip up a onion in a little olive oil, then add a jar of home canned 'maters, and a double handful of cut okra, let it stew till tender, and you got something you can put over some grits. Still need the cornbread, though, unless you can come up with a cathead biscuit. ;D ;D

Sorry.  :-[  I just got carried away. :-/

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Larry]

Boiled?? ??? ???  That's a fine way to ruin it.  Gotta be fried or pickled round here. ;D

Threw the slick in my de-ruster this morning.  Pulled it out this afternoon and think I can already make out a few letters.  Se.... S....  Chucked up a piece of walnut in the lathe for a handle to turn tomorrow as it is supposed to rain all day.

Since Tom figured out the history I may not make it into a wall hanger.  I'll put it on Ebay and start it at $1,000. :D :D

[Tom]

Describe your de-ruster to us.  :P  ............please?

[jeepman]

Yeh, tell us about the de-ruster. Not to steal thunder from the slick.

[Larry]

Do a Google for "rust removal" and you will come up with all kind of info.  This is just an example http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/rust.htm  I have used the process for a few years and found it is cheap and much more effective than any other method.

For my slick I'm using a 5 gallon bucket with 5 tablespoons (to much) of Red Devil household lye.  Armstrong washing soda would work just as well and be a lot safer but I didn't have any.  I have read that baking soda also works but never tried it.  The chemical doesn't do any rust removal but it makes an electrolyte for the charger to do it's work.  The only metal that is removed is rust so it can remain in the solution for days.  I put some plastic sheeting in a stock tank a few years ago to take the rust off of a old JD tractor fenders and it worked great.

Few precautions.  The process emits hydrogen and oxygen gas both explosive if in a confined area.  Unplug the charger if you move things around to avoid any sparking.  Lye is dangerous so know how to use it or better yet use washing soda.  If your charger is pulling to many amps dilute the electrolyte or move the anodes apart.

The slick has so much heavy rust on it I don't know how it will come out.  Might be a disaster but I'll put on a picture in a few days and you guys can judge.

[Larry]

I took the slick out of the soup this morning.  Not quite done but close.  The black is a thin coat of black oxide (a good form of rust similar to gun blueing).  I have painted right over the top of it without problems.  The silver is where I hit it real quick with a wire brush on the grinder.  If you have something that is only part rusted the electrolyte won't effect, color, or change the good metal in any way.

The soda never comes out of the electrolyte but you might have to add a little water to make up for evaporation.  I'll just put a lid on the bucket and it will be ready for the next rusty part to come along.

[Tom]

Nifty !!   I like it.  Electrolysis, the bane of the saltwater boater, used fix rust.  Great.

I wonder if you could coat something with it.  Kind of a cheap way to chrome something. ;D