IMPOSSIBLE 250 Year Old Colonial Rusty Hammer Restoration - Buried Under Ground Since The 1700's! 

Hey all! Do you want to now watch something that is rustier? Something where the metal turns out even better? Something razor sharp? Head over to my new video here! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EtRCSbCu8VM.html

i love the fact no matter how rust a iron/steel piece is, there's always mirror shine metal under the rust waiting to shine

I'm a museum professional. I've been working in collections and exhibits for more than a decade now. You did nothing wrong by restoring that hammer head. Those things are a dime a dozen and even if you had given it to a museum, it would have set on the shelf in some dank collections vault never to see the light of day. They're worthless, even in a museum setting. Nice to display under the right circumstances, but ultimately worthless. Don't let some pearl clutcher who think they're the next Indiana Jones tell you otherwise.

I just sat in silence in a dark room for 24mins 36sec. as completely enthralled in a restoration as Ive ever been in any film or show or piece of music. Fantastic!

Wow. You did an amazing job on it. Reminds me of my dad's favourite "dad" joke: "You see that axe there my boy? It's been in the family for 250 years, and during that time the head has been replaced three times and the handle seven times, but it's still the same axe!" It's been 30 years since and I still miss him.

The person who made that hammer would be over the moon to see it was restored and given a 2nd life. Beautiful work. I love how you kept some of the character.

The main fact is Whoever Made this 250 years ago, he never ever have evan a slight thought that this hammer will be on RU-vid someday. 👏 for that person.

I've always liked the idea of things being restored so that they can be used again. Not just for wall art or investment purposes. A restored musical instrument should be restored so it can be played again. Restored tools should be used, restored cars should be driven. I really do like what you have done. Makes the heart warm.

I couldn't stop watching this video. What a great job.

This grandhammer will keep hitting hard another 250 years.

A couple things I need to point out here that I feel are critically important for anyone looking to do this kind of thing. As a reference I restore cast iron, the older the better and use Electrolysis heavily for it. First - Don't use table salt, use Sodium Carbonate (Commonly found as Laundry booster and not to be confused with Sodium bi-carbonate). The primary reason is Table salt also off gasses Chlorine gas which is not only poisonous but in general nasty stuff you don't want to deal with. And generally it is just not the optimal salt to use in electrolysis in regards to metal restoration. Second, don't use copper wire to connect to the (Cathode) piece you are working on. The reasoning is pretty similar to the above in that it results in undesirable ionic compounds and not to mention can and often does result in material that has to be mechanically removed attached to the work piece. Try and use a steel or iron wire for that connection. Aluminium can also work as it is pretty unremarkable from a reactivity perspective, but honestly steel wire is so cheap and works so effectively there is really no reason to use anything but. Obviously copper to connect the Anodes so long as it remains out of contact with the solution is perfectly fine. I post these points not so much to change anything you are doing, but in the hopes that anyone watching this thinking about this kind of work reads this and learns good habits from the start and not bad ones. There isn't anything intrinsically wrong with your method, it just isn't the best practice.

Beautiful! If I was the guy that originally made that hammer, I'd be honored to see it brought back to life and usable condition

Even 250 years ago, there was someone who borrowed a hammer and never returned it. 😜

As some one who blacksmiths this is amazing. Something I would love to have and study. Every hammer back then was different as each was forged by hand. Its history and art.

In 250 years some guy is gonna restore this hammer into a nail

Curious about why you wouldn't show drilling out the handle hole.???

I must say, love the Walnut handle. Reminds me of my grandfather's old tools.

Did you measure the weight of the head before and after? It would be interesting to get sense of the weight of the material that was removed.

There is no removing history only continuing its history and purpose.

Just wondering the point of the electrolytic bath to just end up taking a grinder to it

Wonderful craftsmanship! Beautiful restoration! I've never done anything like this at all; I was very interested in your use of electricity toward the beginning of the video...I'd never even heard of anything like that, extremely interesting! Great video, thank you very much!!

I loved the trick to get the lines into the handle with the wire burn, going to need to use that in a future project.

Intrinsic value is in the eye & heart of the beholder & the craftsman. Nicely done.

So Glad you put it back to working condition . beautiful handle to.

beautiful old hammer was again restored congratulations 🤩🤩🤩

I think it's awesome that some of the pitting still remained. It's restoration made it beautiful but it still shows it's age and history. I have a few of these and it makes me want to restore them now. Lol

I feel like the line “antiquarians look away” gets to the heart of the difference between restoration and conservation. You did a beautiful job restoring this piece. 👍🏻

I actually love that you kind of kept the rust "scars" on it. Gives it so much character! Wonderfully done.

Restoring antique things is such a worthy effort; the results can be like nothing else around today, and connect you physically to a bygone age.

I might have been tempted to preserve the mushrooming at the head but, given the final result, I agree you did the right thing in cleaning it up. Excellent !

If you were gonna grind it anyway, why didn’t you just start with a wire wheel to remove the rust? Serious question...

"I made a hammer... From a larger hammer"

Amazing how far something can be brought back from BEYOND !!L Love it !

I know nothing of metal work or restoration but I’m addicted! New subscriber here. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

Did I miss the part of you cleaning between the claws as well as the handle hole. That was kinda the money shot

these awesome restorations are the closest thing we have to a time machine

I shall name thee "Thor"!!!!!! Nicely done BTW.

Nice. Saved it from getting melted down. I like that you left some character in it. The bet the original owner would have liked to have done the same thing. Now it has a new story!

I’m no antiquarian, but I did let out an audible “NO” when you pulled out the flapper disc. 😂😂

The pure dedication this man has is amazing

That is insane... 250 years in the ground. Wowsers!

Who really cares if its 200 or thousand yrs old or even found in the dirt that long. The point was that it was restored to the best that it could be done. For that good job!

I really enjoyed this. I love history and that is a real piece of history. Restoring stuff like this has got to be very gratifying. Thank you for sharing.

Well done. Especially like the electrolysis information. Thank you.

Wow, lot of patients and dedication...thanks

The tung oil was a great choice for the handle, brought out the tiger stripe in the walnut. Seeing that bit made me 😊.

At what moment did you remove the metal part on the upper side of the hammer (on top of where the handle goes in)? I hoped you would somehow put metal back there

Why not sand blast it? I had mixed feelings about the filing as it did change the character. But shiny metal is fun to see again! Kudos on a nice job, fun to watch.

Imagine the things that hammer was used to build all those years ago - and now it’s a usable tool again after 250 years. Very cool project!

I don't know about restoration of old thing but I can say the he destroyed the original pattern of the hammer head

The word subscribe on the side of the salt box sold me. I subscribed.

Sir, they make great silicone wedding bands. Great for those that work with tools. I kept getting nervous when u saw your band near the tools! Stay safe. And beautiful work, loved the video.

Every restoration channel owner has a slightly different way of removing rust and dirt, and I love each one. I hope to be able to get my workshop operational again soon. Some old chronic pain issues have set me back a bit, but I’m not giving in. It’s just gonna take a bit of patience. Thank you for sharing this stunning restoration with us.

George Washington: Martha I seem to have misplaced my hammer, have you seen it?

Your filming was nicely done. No complaints from me. Loved the new handle, too. You did an admirable job. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

A gun bluing would be a nice finish on that old relic...good job!

You have given respect to this old hammer

why is he trying to get rid of an inclusion that was probably present in the original hammer? he loses so much mass it totally changes the character of the hammer.

2:46 - "if you're salty, subscribe." Did I get that right? Lol 😂

Restoration, to me, feels like art. Taking something old and breathing new life into it.

we deemed this fine programme worthy of another viewing thank you for sharing

Amazing job didn't think that other Russ come out after 2 on you something years awesome job yes sir

god that man loved hes hammer

I have subscribed to Windsor Salt.

The ability to see the potential in that old hammer head is a rare talent.

Now take some cold bluing solution to slow down any future rust. The solution can be found at most gun shops.

Call me a cave man, but my step one would have been a wire wheel. The rust is coming off either way. Might as well do it quick. 😆

I belive you left enough of the pitting to show age. Overall you did a fine job. the handle finish with danish oil was great. Much better than linseed. Great job.leenotcharleen

Good to see an ancient tool restored to a usable condition!

I think it looks amazing! I laughed so hard at the "Antiquarians Look Away" Nicely done.

the historical value is gone forever!!!

Just a little feedback. I feel like the music really ruins these videos because they’re really satisfying to watch and listen to, they’re fairly relaxing and the music gets in the way a bit of the satisfying sped up sounds, and it’s a tad distracting. Other than that, good work.

makes me proud to be an old craftsman ..I love this stuff .. if I had my time again .. I could have ,would have ,should have ..

I want to get myself restored like i was in my childhood...

I am 400 years old and it looks better now than when it was for sale on the store.

man, a damn good job mate.

My heart skipped some beats when you went at it with the grinder flap wheel and the file, and i'm not even an antiquair!

You pay close attention to details and that is awesome, it looks so professional! I also restored a hammer but wasn't so rusty :)

I have George Washington's hatchet he used to cut that cherry tree down. Both the ax head and the handle have been replaced.

I like your vidios bro

The handle came out beautifully!!!

16:11 Your shirt sleeve was awfully close to the lathe, it made me so uneasy hahah. Great job tho! With just a bit of love tools can last forever.

I really like the look of the restored hammer, the pitted dark parts look awesome.

Went from priceless antique to $25 dollar tool.

The hell with what the chair Indiana Jones have to say, you have the coolest hammer! No one can say their hammer is 250 years old and still works as a hammer. It was just rotting away in the dirt, it has a new lease and can be enjoyed for hundreds more to come.

Looks awesome and I love the handle! Great restoration, my friend!

A beautiful hammer head with a ridiculous handle

i noticed you have the same problem i do with those blue disposable gloves tearing. Look into black nitrile disposable gloves; they are a thousand times more durable!

It’s a joy to watch you restore items

it turned out interestingly, but one small remark, after electrolysis, the object must be calcined to get rid of moisture inside it. And so the work was worthy👍👍👍👍

Pretty cool. Almost surprised you didn’t drill any holes in your fingers.

One minute in: he's drilling toward his fingers!! Gaaahhh! Didn't your shop teacher ever tell you? Always cut towards the bloke next to you!

I personally appreciate the fact that you restored this to as new condition. You didn’t just clean it up. Besides the fact that it is yours to do with as you please. Now you can work with it or show it off. Antiquarians be damned.

I like how you left some of the pits. it looks nice and old.

Where’d the hole in the top mysteriously appear!!! I was waiting to see that done!!

Nice work! I feel like I accomplished something today, just watching this video. :) Can't wait to see more.

So beautiful

I like how his gloves slowly fell apart as time went on

"This is my grandad's axe. My father changed the handle and I changed the blade. This is my grandad's axe." Wiki: Ship of Theseus

I'd have left it pitted and filled in the pitting with brazing rod, then smoothed it out. The contrast between the steel and bronze would look interesting.