I tried to log into New Yankee Workshop site and it wouldn't come up. Did they shut down the site?

My home got flooded along with my shop and I lost all my plans along with some tools.

I was also wondering if anyone had success on drying out rotors and getting them to work. Lost several tools

I just looked over found a few videos on youtube.   Back to basics/Norm Abram,  and go from there....one site is supposed to have about 97 of the PBS shows.

I haven't tried the New Yankee Workshop site lately. I think I have every episode on tape but really shop transfer them to DVDs.

 

I'd use compressed air to remove the majority of water, then lots of WD-40. Technically, fresh water itself really should not affect electronics components but the sediment and rust could cause problems. In the early 70's Hurricane Agnes came thru here. My basement had 4' of water. I had a tube type TV built in to a bar in the rec room. There was a foot of water over top of the TV when I got it out. Set it in the back yard for a week, in the sun. Plugged it in and it worked! Had to clean the tuner and eventually replaced the speaker. Used it for several more years.

 

Thank you. didn't think of the WD40. Had over a foot of water come into the shop and home. Trying to get all of this cleaned up.

The air dry, WD-40 (and a little oil) worked for both furnace motors, too.

Wish I was there to help, I like cleaning up tools and getting them working again. I just don't have the room here where I am to do it.

 

Gee, I'm sorry you have to go through that. 

Never had to worry bout flood damage as we are in the high desert. 

Lew's suggestions seem well informed, though.

3 hours ago, Tippy Tim said:

Thank you. didn't think of the WD40. Had over a foot of water come into the shop and home. Trying to get all of this cleaned up.

sorry to hear what happened...

got some recommendations...

 

If you use compressed air you run the risk of blowing crud into places it shouldn't be...

new recommended process is vacuum...

still need to use air... keep it under 30PSI...

 

Look to CRC for help w/ the cleaning...

this should get you started...

http://crcindustries.com/ei/water-damage-guide.aspx

 

Now for the WD...

 

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.
The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.
WD-40 can be a good substance to start with — it can help clean up rust or other grime. But depending on what you're working with, you should probably follow up WD-40 with use of a true lubricant such as one based on silicone, grease, Teflon, or graphite.

 

WD-40 is hygroscopic and will attract moisture...
Because WD-40 isn't a lubricant, it really will not work well on drive chains of any type.
WD-40 doesn't have enough lubrication affect to be useful on any type of gearing.
Never use WD-40 on door hinges or anything you want to keep clean. It attracts dirt and dust. It will turn your hinge pins black ..
WD-40 can wash dirt into a bike chain, ruining the chain and taking out the gears along with it.
A dad ruined his kid's $800 clarinet by using WD-40 on "the squeaky part" — and no, that isn't the entire clarinet
WD-40, which contains petroleum distillates (paint thinner) that can melt and seize plastic...

keep it away from electrical. Fire hazard and ruins plastic components. Is Electrically conductive...
Keep it out your bearings.. it isn't a lubricant. Will attract crud and moisture. Will break down what lubricant that is in the bearing...

Paintball guns. WD-40 can melt the seals in the guns.
Locks. The spray can prematurely wear down the internal mechanisms, especially in the pin tumbler locks, in door locks and padlocks. Go for graphite powder.
iPods and iPads. WD-40 won't repair the Home button on these devices. In fact, the spray can cause the plastic to break down on the cover, and if some gets inside the electronics, it can damage plastic parts inside.

WD-40 is a crud collector..

Between myth and the PR department debunking WD is an uphill grind...

Edited August 24, 201610 yr by Stick486

I have to agree with Stick on the WD-40. It is not good for electronics. It collects crud and when the carrier evaporates it leave behind a sticky surface. It will eventually hinder conductivity on electrical surfaces.

 

As a naive youngster I used to use it for everything...I, too, had bought into the hype and marketing. However, I used to run off-road and it is no fun to lose your lights in the middle of a very dark night because WD-40 had screwed up your electrical contacts/connections. 

 

Some folks get away with using it and never have a problem, but eventually it will catch up! Usually, at the wrong time.

 

Flushing the tools with water is probably the best way to clean a flooded tool. Follow this with a flood of alcohol (which is hydroscopic and will attract water) then follow with a low psi blow-down. Then a good spray down with an electrical cleaner and/or lubricant (CRC products are outstanding).

 

Another trick is to bury the flushed tool in common rice (depending on the size of course) which will suck out any moisture present. Believe me...rice is cheap compared to replacing some electronics.

 

There are many ways of addressing this problem. I'm not poo-pooing anyones' suggestions, but only trying to pass on some functional, hard earned experiences.

 

Bill