Lye to the rescue (not soaping)

[snappyllama]

My husband managed to get aluminum melded into his drill press bit. Nothing would budge it out - I guess it was semi molten, jammed up in the ridges instead of flying out and hardened into it (it actually looked like the bit ridges were completely torn up). He was contemplating having to order a new bit and put his project on hold when he remembered he has a soaper at home.

50% lye concentration to the rescue!

It ate every teeny piece of aluminum off... now his bit is just like new.

It did foam up, put off nasty fumes, and heat quite a lot so I'm glad we did this experiment outside in a double container (which will be chunked).

 

[Marshall]

As someone that has had to toss a bit because of what you described all I can say is that is so cool!

 

[earlene]

What an amazingly useful purpose for your masterbatched lye! How cool is that?

 

[CaraBou]

Good thinking! Did you get any pre and post pics?

 

[TeresaT]

That is amazingly clever!! I've seen those experiments with the coke cans. I wish I could have watch this "cleaning of the bit" in action! What is the bit made out of that the lye didn't react with that? Cobalt? Titanium?

 

[snappyllama]

I wish I would have taken before pictures, but I didn't. I think it's made out of high carbon steel.

 

[TeresaT]

I wish I would have taken before pictures, but I didn't. I think it's made out of high carbon steel.

Now you know to photograph it if it ever gets gunked up again. A video of the cleaning might be cool too. No pressure...
:bunny:

 

[cmzaha]

thanks, just told my Hubby about this trick

 

[Guspuppy]

Wow that's cool!