Rust prevention
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Hi guys,
Much has been said about how to store tools at the end of the day to prevent rust.
But is there anything wrong with wrapping tools in plastic at the end of a day’s work?
I don’t have a tool chest or cupboard to store them in, just cardboard boxes.
Is it enough to just store them in a cardboard box, after going through with the rag-in-a-can oil?Thanks
Depends. If it’s humid I would spray a rag and wrap my tools in it then store. so many factors to consider. Long term , overnight, over the week.
In my experience putting a plastic (non-breathable) layer over metal intensifies rust and pitting.
As you say, I also use the rag-in-a-can every time you put your tools away. Make sure you at least blow the wood shaving off first too, as they will contain moisture.
Also, do regular maintenance: I keep an eye on my tools and tidy them up with a scotch bright pad now and again, then re-oil.
Lastly, cardboard will retain moisture. Unless your cardboard is 100% dry I’d try to find some plastic boxes and add in some desiccant pouches.
I live in a damp environment and this is is what I do.
Darren.
I use rag-in-a-can oiler on saws, planes and chisels… tools with straight parts. On more complicated shapes I use oil applied with a piiece of cotton or a rag. If I see that rust has grown in some tool, I deal with it with oil and a soft scotch brite pad.
I haven’t problems yet, and the ambient moisture indicator that I have in my (home) shop reads around 80% nine months a year.
I put anti-rust shelf liner in my tool drawers, e.g., Zerust 91140 Anti-Rust And Corrosion Drawer Liner . There are other Zerust products such as blocks and plastic tabs. These release a vapor that inhibits rust, but they need to be in a closed area. Perhaps your box is good enough to provide that area? Or, you could look for a plastic storage tote / tub? I have a tub that is maybe 18″ x 24″ x 8″ (guessing…it isn’t in front of me) that I use to carry some tools to classes. One or two of those would be better than one super deep one.
Do you actually experience rust on your tools? Are you sure it is from humidity rather than from your hands?
(Btw, I originally had links in this post to the products, but my experience here is that posts with links disappear into the void and never are posted. I’m guessing posts with links go into a moderation queue from which they are never or rarely released. I posted something a couple weeks ago that never appeared.)
This rust appeared after 2-3 nights without using it.
There cold nights right now (sometimes my moisture indicator reads around 90%).
I’m definitely sure this isn’t from my hands.Definitely agree, both because of the 90% and the pattern of rust….not from hands. I’m not particularly knowledgable about building construction, but if you are in a shed, basement, garage, etc., I’m wondering if you have adequate surface drainage around the building? Or, do you have standing water after storms that does not run off, thus leading to more moisture indoors? Of course, some places just have damp soil all the time and some places have humid air, but thought I’d ask. If this is a drainage thing, some time with rake and shovel fixing the grading might help a lot. When I moved into my house, I had water on the floor after big storms until I fixed the grading, after which it has never been wet again.
That rust looks like old and deep pitting. That is hard to get out, that stuff keeps coming back whatever you do.
You might try some Rust Converter liquid on that plane, then sand back to a nice finish. The pits will hold the rust converter and inhibit future rust.
Also, following on from the great points made by the last poster, I have gone through a process to get my wet and damp garage converted into a reasonably okay space, I still get rust but it’s way less than before.
Let me know if you want me to post an overview of what I did.
Darren.
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