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How to keep tools from rusting

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kmacht

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Connecticut
I'm in the process of putting together a 24x24 2 story garage. My current shop is in the basement but I would like to move some of it out to the garage. My concern is that the tools will rust up out there. The garage will obviously be waterproof but I am concerned with humiditiy causing flash rust. Insulating it isn't in the budget right now and the only source of heat will be a torpedo propane heater in the winter and an in-wall air conditioner in the summer. Any suggestions on how to keep the rust at bay?

Keith
 
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Stuart in MN

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You didn't mention where you live (humidity in the jungle will be worse than in the desert) but putting one of these things in your toolbox will help: http://www.rustbloc.com/VpCIemitterfaq.shtml In the old days, mechanics and machinists would put a piece of camphor in their box to prevent rust, this works on the same principle. There are probably other brands, this is just the one I'm familiar with.
 
OP
K

kmacht

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I live in the Northeast. We get both the cold during the winter and the humidity during the summer. I have no problem putting a little oil on hand tools but hate putting it on bigger things such as a table saw or drill press. It seems like when I go to sand or cut a piece of wood the tools with oil on them are instantly covered with dust. With the oil on there I have to completely wipe them down to get it off, I can't just vacuum it up.

Keith
 
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TheGrooveking

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An alternate reality in a parallel universe.
kmacht said:
I live in the Northeast. We get both the cold during the winter and the humidity during the summer. I have no problem putting a little oil on hand tools but hate putting it on bigger things such as a table saw or drill press. It seems like when I go to sand or cut a piece of wood the tools with oil on them are instantly covered with dust. With the oil on there I have to completely wipe them down to get it off, I can't just vacuum it up.

Keith
Click to expand...


Try rubbing the metal parts of the table saw and drill press with paste wax.

TheGrooveking
 
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SteveU

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Michigan
Amsoil HD metal protector works well on anything that doesn't require movement, just don't use it on the adjuster part of an adjustable wrench. I have used dry kote on the table saw & it seemed to do a good job or you can use Johnson paste wax.
 
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Gary S

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Bismarck, ND
Whenever I work on a vehicle, my hands get dirty and greasy. When my hands get greasy, so do my tools. That grease is all the protection my 40 year old tools have ever needed to keep them rust free.
You can work harder trying to clean and protect your tools, or you can let the tools take care of themselves and get some work done with them.
 
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brownfoot

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keep some air movement in the shop, I have a cheap ceiling fan that runs on low 24/7
usually no heat, propane when in shop and it is too cold, no rust on anything for over 10 years
 
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NUTTSGT

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brownfoot said:
keep some air movement in the shop, I have a cheap ceiling fan that runs on low 24/7
usually no heat, propane when in shop and it is too cold, no rust on anything for over 10 years
Click to expand...

A fan moving air will help even a box fan moves air slowly. Other than that a light coat of oil. My wood burner tends to keep the humidity out of the air too.
 
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Shadowdog500

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I used to work with a salt water boat mechanic. Those guys work in the most corrosive environment for tools that you can think of. When he was done using a tool he would put it back in his box without wiping the oil off. His tools looked filthy, all covered with grease and oil, but they never rusted.

I just wipe mine down with an slightly oily rag.

Chris
 
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C

Crash913

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Ohio
I use a little Rem Oil on a rag. I trust it on my guns so my tools should be fine plus you can get it pretty much anywhere.
 
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limeranger

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Nov 8, 2008
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My father did a bunch of research on what to use on an old tablesaw he got from my grandfather (on mother's side). He found some stuff called boeshield t-9. It just gets sprayed on and wiped off. and almost fells waxy to the touch. Coats only after use which can be months at a time. It is also stored in an unconditioned/unheated garage in New Brunswick. Never any rust in the past 3-4 years he's been using it. A little expensive about $20 a can around here, but seems to last well and is still using the same can as it rarely needs applying. Can be bought at lee valley tools or most yamaha motorcycle dealers can order it if they don't have it. It is used on boeing aircraft apparently. Google has lots of info on it.
 
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formanbob

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Columbus, Ohio, USA
So would insulating it help? What do other people do that have full workshops that are not "inside the House" I have a 26x32 attached garage and I have it full of tools, and the small hand tools are the lest of my worry, I have a mill a lathe, table saw 2 drill press's, a band saw, and that is all I can think of with out looking.
 
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cvcman

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Syracuse NY
i have indoor outdoor carpet for drawer liners...I spray the carpet with Starrett M! spray and a lite spray on the tools...no problems in years
 
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XxToolAholicxX

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May 28, 2014
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SF **** Bay Northern California
I live close to the water and it gets humid and foggy here. I just wipe them down with a rag that is oiled with ATF and gear oil. Works great for me.




I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman won't give me no credit
 
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Angelfire

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New Mexico and Ireland
Move to NM. No humidity or rust here!

I do put paste wax (Johnsons) on my woodworking tables primarily to provide a slippery surface but I do think it helps with keeping the rust down as well...no real world experience as I said, there's no humidity in NM!
Cheers.
 
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lynnbilodeau

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Oklahoma
Virtually any oil on a rag for hand tools. Rem works well. If you wipe it down good it doesn't feel oily next use. I have heard of guys putting their tools in the dishwasher. They don't need to be that clean. I never clean my by any means other than wiping them with a shop rag.

Shovels, picks and rakes get washed down to get all the dirt off (sometimes a challenge in OK with all the clay) then get sprayed with WD40 or PB Blaster and just leave the oil on there while stored in the shed.

Table saw top gets car wax. Dust doesn't stick. I agree with the statement about not oiling the top of the saw.
 
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JESTERxHEAD

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IL
In addition to wiping them down with a oil based spray. I use used hand warmers. Hand warmers are activated by moisture and oxygen, essentially accelerated rust and that's how they get hot, well when they are done and cold they will continue to absorb moisture really well. Use them in the gun cabinet and tool box. Just toss em' in the back and replace them every now and then.
 
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MScott

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Eastern Ontario
Where I live, the humidity is not excessive, but certainly enough to rust tools (and cars.:() I save the small moisture collecting packets found in bottles of pills and vitamins and just toss them into the toolbox drawers. Seems to be working and keeps them out of the land fill.:D
 
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Kevin54

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Urbana, Ohio
MScott said:
Where I live, the humidity is not excessive, but certainly enough to rust tools (and cars.:() I save the small moisture collecting packets found in bottles of pills and vitamins and just toss them into the toolbox drawers. Seems to be working and keeps them out of the land fill.:D
Click to expand...

They are called desiccant bags. You can buy them at a lot of places, but this place ships fast and has all different sizes. http://www.uline.com/Grp_21/Desiccants?keywords=desiccant
 
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PelicanPines

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New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
Most of my tool box drawers smell like motor oil. My machinist tools smell like wd40. My drill press(s) still get a light layer of rust from time to time... Scotch brite with oil, cleans it right up. I leave oily rags on things i don't use often (my x/y table)
 
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