Storing Tooling on Wood Trays

[drs3317]

I have some old cabinets that are 10"w x 18"d and the drawers are all one inch. I want to organize drills, reamers, and other such cutters. After searching many available, small trays and options, I am now leaning towards using 1/2" birch plywood. Using my router I can cut grooves how I want for storage. My question is how best to prevent rust on my tooling from the moisture in the wood? Is it better to paint or treat the wood with tung oil or something similar?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Polyurethane seems appropriate in this situation.

I'd suggest polishing (let it cure then basically treat it like car paint) it well for the final finish because it will eliminate any grooves and pores.

 

[RTM]

I’d let it cure a lot longer than you might think is right. Moisture from off gassing in a closed space can be brutal.

 

[nadogail]

If you soak your wooden trays with oil, tooling stored on them should not be bothered by rust.

 

[RoninB4]

Whatever you decide do NOT use oak, redwood, cypress, or cedar in contact with steel as the tannin from these will rust the steel in short order. This taken from reading. I've used a mixture of beeswax thinned down with BLO when I had nothing else. Photos when you're done please.