There is a chemical called Naval Jelly that sorta converts rust. I have never been all that impressed with it. All gardening tools will form a light coating of rust on them due to the steel being unprotected. If you use a bench grinder with a wire wheel on it to remove the rust, then you have to coat the raw steel with lacquer or paint or oil or grease to keep the rust happening almost immediately. The problem is, the minute you start using that tool in the garden, the protective coating gets removed and the rust comes right back. Some people have solved that problem this way. They take a plastic five gallon bucket and fill it with really dry sand. They then pour used motor oil into the sand ALMOST to the point of saturation. Immediately after finishing with a shiny, rust-free tool out in the garden, they wash it off with water to remove any dirt and then plunge it repeatedly into the oily sand to coat the tool with oil. That prevents the rust from returning between usage. If you decide to buy a bench grinder, then get one that is at least one half horsepower and takes six inch wheels. Most of them come with grinding wheels on both sides. You can remove one wheel and put a six inch wire wheel on instead. Mount this grinder to the front corner of your bench with the wire wheel to the outside of the bench so that you can manuever the tool you want to clean up easier. The alternative (if you feel up to the learning curve) is to buy a four inch angle grinder for about twenty to thirty bucks. One of those Chinese made grinders work just fine. Remove the grinding disc and washers. Buy a twisted wire cup brush sized for that grinder (see a knowledgable tool guy at the store) and put the side handle on it for added control. Now, you can clamp tools into your bench vise and clean them up with the wire cup brush. But....... buy yourself a full face shield to wear while you are using either of these power tools so that your eyes are protected from flying debris. I cannot stress that enough. Using either of these power tools requires a firm grip and a learning curve but there is no reason for you to shy away from using them.

The bucket of sand with motor oil poured in works well for hand tools that you push in and out of the sand. I only do this for tools that don't have a fine edge (shovels, pitch fork, hammer, etc). Used motor is fine and a good way to recycle. It does a quick decent job of sanding off rust, but not perfect on complex shapes. Make sure you clean the dirt off your tools before doing this to keep the sand/oil mix clean for a longer time. I use rredogg's method for all other tools.

IMO depends on the quality of the tools and if it's surface rust or deep pits? Garden tools are often left out and laying where they was used. This compounds the decaying effect. WHY? well the sun, moisture, and rain takes a big toll on the wooden handles, metal unplated or painted surfaces, and dirt left on metal parts quadruples the decaying effect. Also the rivets or hardware that holds some togather rust and weaken at a much faster rate. Causing the tool handle to break prematurely. How do I reduce this? As suggested above you clean off your tools after use, apply a oily surface to bare metal and treat the wooden handles, then store them in a dry place, hanging would even be better. If you do this you will find your garden tools or any other tool including Lawn equipment will last almost your life time. If you not as thoughtful try buying fiberglass handles or tools that don't have wooden parts to rot or dry out and become weak and break.

1. Reel Mower --> not recommended, miss a couple weeks and you are hosed as they don't work well on tall grass or long stems. I like the electric - corded models - same $ as a fancy reel mower 2. Wheel Barrow --> yes, agree with renee :) If you plan to mix concrete often get a metal one... 3. Pruners --> Felco, cheapest price is at Frostproof. 4. Rake -- bamboo if you will rake around plants, but it's better to leave the leaves there anyway. For the lawn the big plastic one is best 6. Shovel - get a digging fork and spade which have the U or T handles. Stainless steel looks nice :) 5. Tiller --> biggest waste of money I ever made... Don't get one - layer mulch/amendments on surface and 'fork' in. 6. Composter --> also a waste of money, just make a pile 3x3 or use some old fence boards to make open bin(s) 7. Hoe --> get a scuffle or hula hoe, small and narrow for weeding around plants 8. Garden clogs/ gloves that will fit a small hand. I buy gloves regularly, the Nitril coated ones are great for touch, but wear quickly, aren't padded and make your hands stink :) Expensive leather ones are cool, but turn your hands yellow...clogs are whatever slip on shoes I have which are no longer clean enuf for work. 9. Anything else you use often.. Gopher traps...Sluggo...Garden Knife... Automated Watering System !!! Chad