Suggestions for keeping condensation down inside tool box

[nevercouldfigureitout]

I have a non insulated metal garage & this time of year i always have trouble with my 40 inch craftsman box having moisture issues on my tools. All of my wrenches an sockets sweat & I've got to polish them all back out. What all do you guys do to combat moisture? I have a buddy that uses damp rid in his but I can't find any in a low enough profile to use in mine. I've also heard people say cups of rice will do it too.

 

[wild cowboy]

move to Arizona or New Mexico or Vegas!

otherwise, Fluid Film on everything that is raw uncoated metal such as impacts

Chromed tools should never rust if they are well made, that's the whole point of chrome!

When I have a chrome tool rust, it goes back under warranty!

 

[Harrison2]

silica packets like found with new shoes. failing that I saw a thread about fans helping with shop moisture issues.

 

[Skin]

if your tools are having issues with dew in the drawers get a cover for the whole box so the innards are safeguarded against condensation. Desiccant alone won't stop that and I've found a thin film of some kind of oil far more effective anyway.

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Camphor blocks work. buy on Amazon.

 

[Aberdale]

I'm guessing that the moisture problem isn't just your toolbox, but your whole shop.

The first step is to keep moist air out of your shop. Seal up the holes where moist air is coming in.

The second step is to remove the moist air from the shop using a dehumidifier, or at least keep the air circulating with a fan. I've had success using a $15 Walmart box fan running 24/7 in a garage before.

An alternative is to keep the temperature of the shop above the dew point (where condensation occurs). Of course, this requires heating the shop, but the benefits include a comfortable workspace. Having your tools not rust is just a nice bonus.

 

[tomahawk_25]

I have heard from an ole timer that you can use chalkboard chalk to help with moisture and stop rust. . One piece in each drawer. I haven't tried this myself, but he said he would put a new piece in the drawer about once a year and never had any rust. Might be something to try. a box of chalk is pretty cheap.

 

[montanafordman]

I'm guessing that the moisture problem isn't just your toolbox, but your whole shop.

The first step is to keep moist air out of your shop. Seal up the holes where moist air is coming in.

The second step is to remove the moist air from the shop using a dehumidifier, or at least keep the air circulating with a fan. I've had success using a $15 Walmart box fan running 24/7 in a garage before.

An alternative is to keep the temperature of the shop above the dew point (where condensation occurs). Of course, this requires heating the shop, but the benefits include a comfortable workspace. Having your tools not rust is just a nice bonus.

I think Aberdale nailed your problem. Another way to alleviate the problem without spending a ton to heat it is even just insulate it so the inside temperature changes much more slowly otherwise the air changes temp much more rapidly than your tools which will promote condensation directly on the tool just like a cold beverage sweats on the outside of the can, glass, or bottle.

 

[BioNerd]

Guys, I have a question...

Condensation happens on surfaces that are colder than the air around them. Hence what happens to your cold beer.

What about a heated tool box?

There is pads, coils, blankets, etc.

Plus, they wont freeze your hands!

 

[CNGsaves]

Very similar thread . . . see info at:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275271&page=2

 

[pendragon1998]

I finally got around to ordering a goldenrod for my box. I will report on how it seems to work after I have had it a while.

 

[90zcar]

Yeah I'm curious as to how this works. I don't have an issue in my garage until I turn on my salamander heater which instantly turns the air temp in the garage to 70 degrees in less than a couple minutes.
As soon as I open my toolbox drawers they instantly get condensation over all my tools.
I usually wipe my impacts down in pb blaster or something similar but it's hard to keep chasing after it.

Wonder how much ur electric bill is gonna go up having that plugged in all the time


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[bcradio]

move to Arizona or New Mexico or Vegas!

This...

BTW what is condensation and rust?

 

[bpjr]

A 40w lightbulb in the lower drawer will keep it dry. Years back I cut both ends out of a small metal coffee can and mounted an electrical socket inside to dry a boat locker. The can protects the bulb and helps fireproof stuff touching the bulb. I put bent aluminum bar legs on the can to hold it off the floor a couple of inches and give an air flow gap. Eventually I modified it to a 6"x6" wood base with the can mounted to it. I believe 40w is overkill for a tool box...lower wattage appliance bulbs are availble if needed.

bp

 

[mrjaw14]

what's this fluid film mentioned above? where can I get it? I have the exact same condensation issue in my garage this time of year when it's really damp and rainy. I thought about those silica packets, but compared to the volume of air in the shop I think they'd get pretty saturated real quick and not really be effective. I may try running a fan. running a dehumidifier wouldn't work as the rafters are open and I have ridge vents, so hydrostatic pressure would force moisture levels to equalize in the shop

 

[Ray-CA]

Know anyone in the pharmacy business? I asked my local pharmacist and they saved all the little desiccant packs from the drug shipments for a couple of weeks for me. I got a 5-lb box of those things. Toss one or two into each drawer and change them once a year. I also wipe my tools down with a little WD-40 when I'm done using them so I'm not sure what is keeping them rust free but neither method can hurt.

Ray

 

[Cope]

I have a small dehumidifier approximately 12"x12"x24". It keeps the moisture off everything in my garage.

 

[wild cowboy]

what's this fluid film mentioned above? where can I get it?

www.amazon.com/Fluid-Film-11-75-Spray-2-pak/dp/B008T8CXGY

It smells like sheep! - it is made from wool wax!

 

[Fretters]

It smells like sheep! - it is made from wool wax!

Lanolin. It can be found in outdoor/camping shops and the like too. It used to be used for waterproofing the old canvas tents.

 

[90zcar]

I'm really interested in this golden rod setup. I may go out to the local bass pro this weekend to see what they have.
I may do a 24" setup in the bottom of my krl snap on


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[pendragon1998]

I ordered a 18" goldenrod from Lee Valley. I was going to get the 24", but it wouldn't fit in my lower drawer in my 44" HF box. I'm not sure how I will mount it. I am hoping to find enough room behind the bottom drawer. Otherwise I'll formulate a plan B.

They're pretty small. "Each low-profile cylindrical heater has a 3/4" diameter brass-plated steel housing, a 70" power cord, and a pair of clip-on legs with small slots for screw-mount installation. For best results, use the largest size that fits the space, mounting it near the bottom to ensure optimal air circulation. The 12" (12W) model is effective on spaces up to 100 cu.ft., the 18" (18W) model is suitable for spaces up to 200 cu.ft., and the 24" (25W) model protects up to 300 cu.ft. Each operates with a maximum surface temperature of 150°F/65°C. UL/CUL certified."

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

I don't blame my box for the moisture issue but it is a very thin gauge ball bearing box. But most of my issue probably lies in that I have a non insulated metal building, with no heat(unless I stand over my woodburner),concrete floor, my garage door is on it's last legs, I'm 10ft from the road, I have a flowing ditch on one side & underneath my foundation is a pipe & creek that my garage drains also flow into. So there's many outlets to bring in water. The fight between mold & rust in my garage is a headache. This summer I'm gonna tackle trying to insulate it, is the shiny insulation board my only choice for my walls an ceiling?

 

[Steinmetz]

Lanolin. It can be found in outdoor/camping shops and the like too. It used to be used for waterproofing the old canvas tents.

Lanolin was/is the traditional preservative for machine tools and implements. I've used it for a long time, and it works better than anything else. It also keeps the skin on your hands very soft.

 

[90zcar]

I figured my snap on double bank box is a little over 28 cubic feet. So that 12" should be sufficient but I also figured since the box is all steel and gets colder than a gun safe that I'll go with an 18"


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[wood02]

Camphor blocks do work...I got a "pack" from our local drug store.

 

[90zcar]

If you want something to absorb normal moisture that's fine but u could pack 100 lbs of chalk charcoal and desiccant packs in your box and it's not going to do anything for sudden temperature changes


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[unslow1]

Wonder how much ur electric bill is gonna go up having that plugged in all the time


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I have 2 Golden rods running 24/7. Never tried them in garage. I don't know how much they would help. My problem comes when I turn on the heaters in IL. The sudden natural temp changes around here even make the cars all wet. Very low power bills. Gas + electric rarely exceed $100 in summer even with AC.

 

[90zcar]

Same here. 5 minutes after I turn my torpedo heater on everything is wet that's metal


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[nevercouldfigureitout]

I notice all my black coated tools show the worst rust after I've checked them out.

 

[90zcar]

I'm waiting to hear the results of having a golden rod inside a toolbox that's inside a cold garage and wanting to know if it eliminates the tools condensating when the heat is turned on.

As cold as it gets in a garage I can't imagine the rod being able to dry out the air enough to combat with the constant coldness comming off the cold steel of the box

I would love to be told that it actually works because I will go out and instantly buy a 24" rod


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[nevercouldfigureitout]

I've had people say a little white rice helps but I've never tried. I've got a buddy that uses damp rid but it's container is too tall for my drawers.

 

[Nessal]

There is a easy and cheap a way...cardboard. Yes....cardboard. Use the ones that are pure board without laminate print on it. Cut a 10"x10" per drawer and place them on top when you close it. Try it, it has worked well for me.

 

[90zcar]

I finally got around to ordering a goldenrod for my box. I will report on how it seems to work after I have had it a while.

So any updates?????


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[90zcar]

I finally got around to ordering a goldenrod for my box. I will report on how it seems to work after I have had it a while.

So hopefully you got this delivered to you. It's been a month now....I wanna hear how it's working out for you


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[404]

Yeah I'm curious as to how this works. I don't have an issue in my garage until I turn on my salamander heater which instantly turns the air temp in the garage to 70 degrees in less than a couple minutes.
As soon as I open my toolbox drawers they instantly get condensation over all my tools.
I usually wipe my impacts down in pb blaster or something similar but it's hard to keep chasing after it.

Wonder how much ur electric bill is gonna go up having that plugged in all the time




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Both propane and kerosene have enormous amount of water vapor in the products of combustion.. All hydrogen H in a hydrocarbon fuel gets converted in to H20.

 

[90zcar]

I don't think it really matters what source of heat u suddenly heat the garage with. It's that sudden temp change. Same thing when u take that cold tool inside the warm house suddenly


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[404]

The humidity of the house is high enough to condense out on the cold tool.. The tool temp is below the dew point of the climate in the house.

 

[pendragon1998]

So hopefully you got this delivered to you. It's been a month now....I wanna hear how it's working out for you

Sorry, I meant to come back and report. The 18" goldenrod was a complete bust. It couldn't come anywhere near keeping up with the 30-40 degree temps in the garage, and it wouldn't even keep a single drawer warm enough, much less heat the whole box. It would be great if used in inside temps (e.g., an indoor gun safe), but for a toolbox in an unheated garage, it's a flop. I'm returning it.

 

[wild cowboy]

All hydrogen H in a hydrocarbon fuel gets converted in to H20.

That is only true in the case of complete combustion.

Combustion is rarely complete, so you nearly always get some amount of hydrogen gas along with your water vapor