Air tools in cold shop?

[JUNK-MAN]

Winter is coming faster than Ii want it to and I'm starting to clean the shop as I will not be in there for a while but will it be Ok to leave my air tools and cordless drill in my tool box or should I bring them to the house? My shop is unheated and the walls are not caulked off, its 8x10' and stacked land ties with 4 windows that are just screen with shutters. Each year I coat most of my tools/tool box WD-40 to clean them and to protect them from rust, Is the any thing I can do to my air tools?

 

[iroc409]

Your tools will be fine, but I'd probably keep the cordless batteries inside. Some don't like the cold much but it shouldn't matter a bit to the tools itself.

 

[jakemac]

Switch out the WD40 for PB Blaster or Fluid Film. WD40 is designed to evaporate quickly and doesn't leave a coating that lasts long. Other products may stay "wet" longer, but when they do dry out they leave a thicker film that is more likely to protect against rust better.

 

[crewchief888]

Your tools will be fine, but I'd probably keep the cordless batteries inside. Some don't like the cold much but it shouldn't matter a bit to the tools itself.

i leave my air tools in my service truck year round. when the temps drop below 40F i bring my cordless batteries in the house overnight.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just make sure you oil the air tools before and I like to do them after I use them. Some people may say that's not necessary, but like you, my garage is not climate controlled and very cold in the winter. I use the Lucas air tool lube. I put a few drops in prior to putting the hose on and then go to work. Then I drop in a few more when I finish, then reattach the hose & blip the trigger a few times to spread it out. Instead of actually spraying down my tools, I just wipe them down with one of many oily rags a I have laying around. I also keep small dessicant packs, VCI paper and camphor blocks in my drawers. Real camphor blocks will release a small film that protects the metal surfaces from rust or corrosion while the VCI paper and dessicant packs **** up any moisture. While it obviously doesn't get it all, it surely does help. Especially when a cold night turns into a warm day and the tools develop a thin coat of moisture.
http://lucasoil.com/products/problem-solvers-utility/lucas-air-tool-lubricant-and-tool-box-buddy
http://www.rockler.com/how-to/camphor-blocks-metal-tool-box-rust-prevention-device/