it will deff get paint off and it wouldn't matter how long you left it in the tank either not like a wooden door as they would warp if left to long yeah just take it out and get hose pipe on it job doneThe Drummond lathe that will be getting some attention is pre-1940 so shouldn’t have any issues with modern paint
yeah i cleaned baffles out on a garelli moped with caustic soda worked a treat and that must been 45yrs backPs.
As above, good for dissolving alluminium.
If you ever get gummed up milling cutters, from alloy, then soaking in a pint glass of caustic overnight will bring them up perfect.