Restoring No.3 Hales Grenade

[veektohr]

Hi, I'm restoring a No.3 Hales and am having the darndest time gettting the brass unscrewed from the steel body. Has anybody had any luck using acetone or the like to loosen the threads? I used some white vinegar to remove the bulk of the visible corrosion, but those threads are just... stuck.

 

[reccetrooper]

Whenever I've had a stuck thread on anything I've used PlusGas, which is a dismantling lubricant.

 

[veektohr]

I don't think they have that in the US, but I will see what it's made of and try to find something similar. Thanks for the tip!

 

[reccetrooper]

The company that makes PlusGas, Saint Gobain Abrasives, does have a presence in Worcester, MA. but I don't know if they carry the same products in all countries.
This is the contact email from the USA website, contactsga@saint-gobain.com you could ask them if they have the product in the USA.

And this from their middle east website describes the product,
http://www.saint-gobain-abrasives.com/en-mdle/resources/expertise/plus-gas

 

[Millsman]

You might try putting it in the freezer for couple of days. The cold shrinks the brass more than the iron and they sometimes come apart easily.

John

 

[veektohr]

You might try putting it in the freezer for couple of days. The cold shrinks the brass more than the iron and they sometimes come apart easily.

John

I will try that tonight!

Here is a picture, btw.

Opinions on keeping the remaining paint vs. removing it? I still have a few more pieces of the brass to clean up as well.

 

[sgtlynn]

very nice!! leave the original paint

 

[millsbomber]

Really stripping right down you could be sorry if some thing breaks

 

[Millsman]

Really stripping right down you could be sorry if some thing breaks

You have a really nice example there. I agree with Dave, it may be best left alone. If you try the freezing route, don't use tools - just hands and if it won't come apart - leave it.

John