Bench Top Lathes???

YY1 said

They don't appear to be pitted, just the rust is thicker than I'd feel comfortable manually sanding off.

Just having them turning so I could hold the sandpaper and guarantee an even application would probably do it.

If not, one or two very shallow passes with a tool would absolutely do it.

Click to expand...

Drop the yoke in a tube of 6% Cleaning Vinegar from the grocery store overnight, that will kill the rust. Degrease clean first, then wire wheel it to polish it up after the vinegar dunk, then a little Crocus Cloth for the seal surface final polish.

If not deeply pitted you should be like new again, like light polishing a crankshaft with Crocus Cloth.