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Rusting tools in box

WhiffySpark

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
Anyone have any ideas? I assume the little white packets are all I can do.

It's in an uninsulated garage. No interest in finishing garage to help it
 
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jkwilson

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Messages
758
Location
SW Indiana
Keeping the tools at a more constant temperature would help. If the tools are much cooler than the air around them, water will condense on them. Every day the air warms more quickly than a chunk of steel, so they get slightly wet most cold days. A closet for your tool box with a light bulb or gun safe dehumidifier in it would help a lot.

Camphor works, but depending on the scale of your tool box it might be a pain. The desiccant packets don't last long open to the air because they are really designed for sealed spaces and they fill up quickly with moisture from the air.

My long-term plan is a "closet" for my unheated shop, but my wife's short-term plans keep getting in the way.
 

lilredex

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,956
Location
Toronto
This my tool box in an unheated garage, and 4 or 5 of those blocks have kept everything rust free......for about 25 years now.
 

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Brownsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,975
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I have used drawer liners from Lowe's with something call Zeerust. I have not had any rust issues since. I was actually really surprised it has worked as well as it did. I had 3 different things that were an issue. Klein and Snap on pliers. And Craftsman sockets. 2 years ago all were getting rust spots here and there. Now nothing at all. I also coated all my pliers with Wd40.
 

wrenchr

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
11,603
Location
Michigan
During the winter months I coat the tools with gun tool oil wipes, not messy but more that enough to keep rust at bay. But my impact sockets get shot with WD-40.
 
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lauver

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
1,433
Location
Belton, TX
I live in Texas and my garage is not insulated; I used to have rust problems year round.

I now have the treated drawer liners from Lowes. Installed them 3 or 4 years ago and have not had rust problems since. They seem to actually work as claimed...
 
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d.mcfarland

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
6,582
Location
Western PA
I also vote the cheapest and fastest way to prevent it would be the drawer liner from Lowes. Report back how it works!
 

Brownsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,975
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I was very skeptical at first. I tried them and to my surprise they work very well. Doesn't stop condensation but somehow stops rust.
 

Ike4160

Active member
Joined
Feb 18, 2014
Messages
29
I coat all my tools in my unheated garage with fluid film. I have never had any rust on my craftsman sockets. I did however have some rust on my craftsman polished stubby set. I did not treat them since I didn't think I had to. Cleaned them with gun cleaning oil.
 
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