Lining my toolbox

[Croth]

I was told awhile back that wooden toolboxes are great for tools because they absorb moisture, thus keeping them from the tools. Knowing this, what can I use to line my metal toolboxes to do the same thing, especially if I use the tool and it gets wet? I've thought of using a 1/4" plywood cut to each drawer size and using. Also, cos if this knowledge I bought a wooden dresser to use for some of my larger tools...I've sanded the chest down and now I am wondering should I leave the drawers plain? No paint? I've also read about cork liners. Are they good or easy to install and do they even absorb water (repale)? What I want to mention also is my life is hectic, so I would rather not use moisture absorbing materials. I want something I can use and not have to replace/change as I have a short memory...thanks in advance for any help or suggestions...craig

 

[coljar]

I don't really have the answer to your question. I'll tell you what I've used for 35 years in the metal drawers of my toolboxes. Indoor/outdoor rubber backed carpet. Never had a moisture problem with them even when they were in the old concrete block garage.

 

[Tripn88]

Why not just get silica packs?

 

[Screwtape]

Don't put your tools away wet for starters :tard:

 

[brass89]

Do you go long periods without using your tools? I didn't have anything special other than rubber liners in the bottoms of my metal drawers, but used them regularly. Simply wiping them after use (getting off grease/oil) would leave behind a very slight residue of oil that protected them. Infrequent use or something other than wrenches/sockets etc might be a different story. I'm wondering what it would do to wooden boxes. If they're in fact absorbing that much moisture keeping tools dry, I'd think the wood would be swelling, cupping, making for snug or ill fitting drawers.

 

[Mr.A]

My special tools, pullers, bearing drivers and other OEM tools seem to rust fast in my garage. impact sockets are the worst. I spry them down with WD40 and that seems to work. I have pole barn, and propane forced air furnace and only work on weekends.

 

[Croth]

Thanks. I just saw a guy on eBay w/ some carpet...I might give it a shot; but not in my toolbox. My toolbox has some drawers that are just 2-3" tall.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Put a couple VCI emitter cups in the toolbox: http://www.theruststore.com/VCI-C12.aspx

 

[Croth]

Thanks everybody. I'm new at this and thought I can answer each individually. (Maybe I can, i just haven't figured it out yet). I asked someone about silica packs and they said no with no reason. So yes I will try. The carpet sounds good on my shelves and taller drawers. As for putting my tools away wet, I don't; but I have used in the rain and not had time to follow back later knowing some moisture was trapped inside that has to work itself out. (the silica packs and carpet would be good for this). Mr.A, what you describe is what I worry about. I have little time in my life and love to stay organized. I have tried spraying with oil only to have the tool slip out of my hand. I think WD40 would solve that. I live in Kansas and here weather is very humid in the summer, that's why I thought wood would help prolong the life of my tools. ANOTHER REASON that I just remembered, and I wish I would have put it in my opening thread, is that sharp tools stored in wooden toolboxes keep their edges or points longer than stored anywhere else. The way it works is by keeping the moisture at bay. Craig

 

[ford33]

Wood would absorb and hold moisture during humid weather and be dry during the cold season which is not what you would want for steel tools. You may want to rethink this idea.

Read how a cigar humidor works and you will see that it is made of wood to hold moisture at the proper level for cigars which is about 70% humidity. It that what you want for a tool box?

 

[ljhhontx]

I don't know about the wet part, but I got a new service truck this week and went looking for liner material for the shelves and boxes. I found a closed cell underlayment for wood floors about 1/8 thick that seems to be working out great so far. Cost was low at $25 for a 4' X25' roll, both edges are self adhesive so I bought a can of spray adhesive and a razor knife to cut it with and it went in easy.

 

[GarageWarrior]

Spray tools with grease/oil (or corrosion prevention compound, such as Eureka Fluid Film). Alternatively you can use VpCI (Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor) such as Cortec VpCI-126 Rust Protectant.

 

[coljar]

Thanks. I just saw a guy on eBay w/ some carpet...I might give it a shot; but not in my toolbox. My toolbox has some drawers that are just 2-3" tall.

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This drawer is 2" deep and the carpet works well with the tools. Ok, it looks like I got it at the ugly carpet store, but keep in mind, I put it in there in 1979.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

You mention you want something to help control moisture, but not absorb it. That... is sort of contradictory. Moisture happens because of humidity, and the way you get that is due to moisture content in the air and giving it a place to condense. Good ventiliation will help, keeping the work space from having that humidity to start with is even better. If you do line your drawers with wood or carpet, you'll have a sponge exactly where you don't want it if you're in a high humidity environment.

Silica packets are easy and cheap. You can get reusable packets at RV stores that you can bake in your oven and dry out as they get used up.

I think the reason why people might line their drawers with carpet or wood is for noise and cushioning.

 

[wagzilla]

Why not just get silica packs?

I have a packet in each drawer and I have never had a problem of course I live in Arizona

I line my drawers for noise and my tools don't move as much.

James

 

[Kevin54]

My garage is heated, but in Ohio, we also have summer days that have a shitload of humidity. When I worked at the shop, there was days that everything was rusting as far as machines and raw stock. I keep desiccant bags in the drawers of my toolbox, plus of all of the drawer liners, I find that the thin indoor/outdoor carpet (gray in color) that Lowes sells is about the best to use.

 

[jaye944]

oh common guy's what a load of ballcocks,

this is what I do, when I finish with my tools, I have a big bucket of used engine oil, i dunk it in them, then fish it out, and then put it into my tool box;

My tools NEVER seize or rust.

oh wait.......... maybe that doesnt resolve my problem that I keep getting

why are my tools always covered in oil

 

[brass89]

yea, arizona doesn't get near the humidity other states do. one of the things i miss about az. my friend was complaining the other day how humid it was in az, it was 20% humidity. all i could do was laugh because humidity here in the midwest was 'down' to 60%. out here, even your picture frames have to be pressure treated or else they rot.

 

[malibu101]

I've seen this drawer liner stuff at Lowes. It claims to be "Manufactured with patented Zerust vapor corrosion inhibitors"
http://www.lowes.com/pd_90013-46478-90059_0__?productId=3374226

I've only seen it. I never bought any.

 

[Croth]

Thanks everyone....I'm in the process of going through the suggestions..Also I don't know if anyone saw my update on my question, but I read that tools stay sharper in a wooden toolbox as opposed to anything else. This is why I was looking for wooden inserts. The article I read mentioned that the wood absorbed the moisture in the air which is what helped keep the tools sharper longer. I am in the processor of trying to find that article for more answers, but you guys have giving me ideas that I hope to start using in the next few weeks. Craig