oiling air tools

[1930artdeco]

Hello,

I don't use my air tools that often, maybe once a few months if that. When should I oil them? They are kept in the garage which is pretty well sealed up.
If there something I can use to 'preserve' them while they sit around?


Mike

 

[Kracin]

don't think i've had an issue with any of my air tools being used once a month.

ideally you want to throw a drop or two before use, and a drop or two after to eliminate any moisture that might have settled inside.

other than that. if you want to be REALLY nice to them, put them in a dehumidifier cabinet to eliminate any moisture buildup. but the oil should stave off any moisture accumulation inside the walls of the tool where the vanes spin.

 

[stikman56]

I'd put some oil in them and run them for a few seconds when you're done with them if they sit in a cold moisture filled unheated shop for long periods. Other than that, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. If it's dry in there, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your supplied air is not full of moisture there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Kracin]

^ what he said. go to lowes or HD, and pick up a moisture filter for your compressor if you don't have one.

 

[Herod]

Give them a few drops of air tool oil after every use.......remember to run the tool for a few seconds AFTER you've oiled them. Put them away, they'll be fine. I don't oil mine before I use them because then it sprays oil all over what I'm working on. I oiled them before I put them up, anyway.

 

[Moose364]

I Always oil after, unless it has been a real long time, then I might give them a little shot, I hate when they blow oil all over what Im working on,

 

[bcradio]

I always oil before and never after.

 

[woody 73]

I'd put some oil in them and run them for a few seconds when you're done with them if they sit in a cold moisture filled unheated shop for long periods. Other than that, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. If it's dry in there, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your supplied air is not full of moisture there shouldn't be an issue.

My shop is unheated and moisture is a big problem, so I put them away with a few drops of oil in the hope that the moisture will not kill them.

 

[dirtydogintex]

My shop is unheated and moisture is a big problem, so I put them away with a few drops of oil in the hope that the moisture will not kill them.

out on the beach (gilchrist) we built a semi-sealed plywood box to keep moisture (esp sea fog) outta/off our tools and other good stuff.
plans were to install a 40w or so incandescent bulb just off the bottom but we never got aroundtoit.
things worked better than planned....

 

[Dust Devil]

I always oil before and never after.

 

[wild cowboy]

I would strongly recommend going to an auto parts store or wal-mart and pick up some regular Marvel Mystery Oil - it brings air tools that have been sitting around back to factory new performance.

In the shop, we call it "Air tool crack" - lol

 

[sac02]

+1 on the MMO. For me, always a couple drops and run the tool a couple seconds before being put away. I'll add a couple drops before use if it's been "a while" since I used that tool.

 

[dnschmidt]

Personally I use KROIL for my air tool oil. KANO LABS brags that it works great and in my experience it does. Quick shot with Aerokroil and 2 seconds of run time and away they go.

 

[Dust Devil]

Personally I use KROIL for my air tool oil. KANO LABS brags that it works great and in my experience it does. Quick shot with Aerokroil and 2 seconds of run time and away they go.

Always have used AeroKroil until just recently when I bought new mg325 and mg725...picked up some snap-on oil that day.

 

[wild cowboy]

Personally I use KROIL for my air tool oil. KANO LABS brags that it works great and in my experience it does. Quick shot with Aerokroil and 2 seconds of run time and away they go.

I have been thinking of doing this for years, but never have - great minds must think alike!

 

[zcbauer89]

+1 on the Marvel Mystery Oil. That's what I use with my air tools. Marvel Mystery Oil actually makes a product just for air tools, it comes in a smaller bottle. I just use the regular stuff. I knew a guy who would spray WD40 into his air tools before use. I wouldn't recommend it, but he used them hard for many many years.

 

[devoncoolman]

I use snap-on oil. Oil my tools once every week or two. In a pinch ive used pb blaster and atf.

 

[justme-]

I've heard Marvel is highly refined kerosene - makes sense when you think about it, especially since MM works and the old timers would use Kero for many of those things and it worked...
anyway - oil before and I wouldn't after. also make sure you use something appropriate for air tools, nothing like PB Blaster, WD40...most penetrating oils are acidic to aid in freeing the rusted fastener, they dissolve the rust... not something you want in your tool long term.
I have always used air tool oil or MM when air tool oil was not available - my ol man used MM in his air guns back when he turned wrenches for a living with no issues. Deep Creep works well too.