Rust and wooden tool boxes
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- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by Philipp J..
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Silly question maybe, but is there an increased risk of rust when storing tools on/in bare wooden boxes/shelves etc.?
I see a lot of people do it, and see plenty of plans for wooden tool chests, but do they need extra care or finish to make sure they don’t create a high moisture environment for metal tools?
Or do they actually help by drawing moisture away from metal tools?
12 May 2017 at 9:12 pm #311947Usually there is some sort of finish, even if it isn’t apparent. It can be a light coat of shellac or sanding sealer, boiled linseed oil, Danish oil, or some other oil finish.
Without any finish at all, the wood will show dirt and handprints. I don’t think you can think of the wood as any sort of desiccant, except that it will moderate the dew point a little ( but probably not for a whole night cycle).
But even with no finish, a wood box will protect your tools from condensation that forms at night in an unheated shop, and from shop dust, which contains tannins and salts that attract moisture and can be corrosive to metal.
And wipe oil your tools before you put them away. The dust from use is just as bad as the airborne stuff.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Larry Geib.
13 May 2017 at 9:08 pm #311958I have been keeping a few tools on a bare wooden shelf aswell not really any worse then keeping them in a cardboard box or the like. In general tools that are used dont rust easily since they develop a patina that prevents it for the most part, however a bit of oil never hurts.
As Larry said just make sure to clean them off properly after work and you should be fine. -
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