How to protect my old Nicholson files from rust?

[river251]

I have several old NOS American Nicholson files. Even though I live in the ultra dry desert, they get traces of rust. I am afraid to spray penetrating oil or mineral oil on them because it seems like it might ruin their function. Any ideas on how I can protect them? Thank you very much.

 

[BrandonV]

VCI poly bags or VCI capsules. No need to soak the files in anything. I've had bare/virgin carbon steel show no traces of anything.

Rust Prevention Products | Zerust Rust Prevention Products

Our Zerust Rust Prevention products are the best anti-rust bicycle cover and car rust protection on the market. Protect your gun and car from rust with a little bit of oil.

www.zerustproducts.com

 

[seber]

Oil will not impair the function. In fact it will help in keeping the teeth clear of filings. If you don't want to do that however, you can file a candle after use to coat the file with wax. That will also assist in keeping teeth clear.

 

[pizza]

afaik, cutting is always enhanced by lubrication. this is true all the way down to sandpaper.

 

[Steve_P]

I'm a fan of Metal Prep by POR 15.

 

[PFSard]

Mohawk Dave has a good spiel .........

Doing what I can with what I have....Land of Many Boxes.

Freaking awesome! I have a drawer for all of my pliers, you have a drawer JUST for channellocks :) lol. Thanks Jeff! Ok, I have a Q. The older Channellocks from 1963+ with the grooves in the handles...I have diagonal cutters and long nosed pictured, when I was cleaning them up I saw the grooves...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[liliysdad]

I make cardboard or manilla sheaths for them, and soak the sheet in oil. Seems to work just fine for me.

 

[jonshonda]

I thought covering them with chalk was a good way to store them?

 

[seber]

I thought covering them with chalk was a good way to store them?

I've heard that but never tried it. I would worry that chalk might absorb humidity and keep it in contact with the steel.

 

[ItsNemo]

Don't overthink it, WD40 them and good to go...will not hurt cutting ability.

 

[seber]

Don't overthink it, WD40 them and good to go...will not hurt cutting ability.

That might be OK if you use it a lot but I would never store anything that way. WD40 dries to a gum and would clog file teeth.

 

[ItsNemo]

That might be OK if you use it a lot but I would never store anything that way. WD40 dries to a gum and would clog file teeth.

Few swipes with a file card and you're good to go again...also just needs a light spray and a wipe to cover, doesn't need to swim in the stuff.

 

[KnurledNut]

Wrap in VCI paper. That’s what Nicholson does.

 

[MovingAlong]

I have several old NOS American Nicholson files. Even though I live in the ultra dry desert, they get traces of rust. I am afraid to spray penetrating oil or mineral oil on them because it seems like it might ruin their function. Any ideas on how I can protect them? Thank you very much.

Curious why you feel an oil would ruin a file.

Something is going to be on metal - either oil or water. Doesn't really matter what oil: motor oil, transmission fluid, kerosene, deasil fuel, Rem Oil, snake oil, etc... all of it is better than water/moisture/condensate/humidity/etc.

Personally, I'm liking Fluid Film for this kind of thing now. Everyone will have their own favorite to recommend and they will all work better than water. (even WD40, but we don't usually say that part out loud)

 

[river251]

A very belated thank you to you all. That VCI sounds interesting.