tool box condensation

[nickjj]

Any solutions to garage condensation?

Have just moved to the back and beyond, nice house with 1300sq ft garage, but toolbox, compressor, steel cupboards, anything metal ends up looking like a cold bottle of beer...

Need to do something, the Craftsman sockets are starting to rust.

Any hints?

 

[larry_g]

Warm damp air on cold steel=condensation. Warm up your steel. For the tool box you can use a light bulb, incandescent, inside the toolbox and the cupboards. Seal up the area to keep the warm wet air out of the room. In my area I have to keep the shop doors closed in the spring as things are warming up outside and the shop is cold. If I open the overhead doors to early in the morning then the warm wet air rushes in and condensates on the tools. If I wait abit the shop warms up some and the moisture drops out of the air outside so then I can open the OH doors.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Ruxpin]

Nick, I've had success using chalk to absorb moisture.
I keep snooker chalk (Triangle brand, obviously) in each tool box tray as a relatively easy, cheap and replaceable method.

 

[Farmall450]

Nick, I've had success using chalk to absorb moisture.
I keep snooker chalk (Triangle brand, obviously) in each tool box tray as a relatively easy, cheap and replaceable method.

Interesting. I'll have to try this out. Or Dampex or something I hate the rust growing on my prybars/impact sockets/etc...

 

[nickjj]

Nick, I've had success using chalk to absorb moisture.
I keep snooker chalk (Triangle brand, obviously) in each tool box tray as a relatively easy, cheap and replaceable method.

I'll try that, workshop has block sides and kingspan insulated tin roof, so I hoped it would be pretty dry, but the toolboxes are wet to the touch.

I wondered if fitting some electric panel heaters to the wall might help?

 

[Ruxpin]

the toolboxes are wet to the touch.

Hmmmm, sounds pretty moisture laden.
Maybe the chalk won't be enough.

The disposable moisture absorbent boxes do work, but you have to replace them regularly.
As does cat litter.
But it sounds like you might at least need a dehumidifier.

Is there air flow through the garage?

 

[nickjj]

Hmmmm, sounds pretty moisture laden.
Maybe the chalk won't be enough.

The disposable moisture absorbent boxes do work, but you have to replace them regularly.
As does cat litter.
But it sounds like you might at least need a dehumidifier.

Is there air flow through the garage?

There's no airflow at present, but I plan to add a new door which will improve things, we live up the side of a big hill, almost in the clouds some days.

It's only in the last few days I've really noticed the condensation, but I need to do something before everything turns to mush and rust

 

[stage20]

its bad here in florida. tools will be soaking wet around november and then again in february. i wipe my ratchet down during this time period. they will get spots of rust almost instantly but clean right off. never really thought of chalk. might have to try it!

 

[nickjj]

I need some of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005MZ1EJE/?tag=atomicindustr-21

 

[gdocktor3]

I use VCI paper on the bottoms of the drawers, camphor blocks, and dessicant packets. I'm telling you right now, I've been through this and if your garage isn't climate controlled, its going to be a losing battle no matter what. I also wipe my expensive and/or sentimental tools down with an oily rag after I finish. This is also another reason to buy expensive, quality made tools with good chrome that won't rust.

 

[Al Borland]

Move somewhere warm and dry???

 

[no704]

Move somewhere warm and dry???

This is a good idea. Maybe some kind of gable fan?

 

[Mustang1167]

You could try a gun safe heating rod.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Cover your tools with Fluid Film. Prevents rust, smells good, even keeps your hands soft.

 

[unslow1]

You could try a gun safe heating rod.

I've heard of some guys trying this with varied success. I've put an oscillating fan on a random timer to try to get some additional air circulation.

 

[nickjj]

I use VCI paper on the bottoms of the drawers, camphor blocks, and dessicant packets. I'm telling you right now, I've been through this and if your garage isn't climate controlled, its going to be a losing battle no matter what. I also wipe my expensive and/or sentimental tools down with an oily rag after I finish. This is also another reason to buy expensive, quality made tools with good chrome that won't rust.

I've taken to wiping them down with an oil soaked rag on a weekly basis, I was looking on Amazon last night, there are some small dehumidifiers that can be left on all the time, that might be the way to go.

 

[tube_guy]

Some sort of heater is the way to go. If the tools are just slightly warmer than the air temperature, condenstion will never appear. I had lots of trouble with condensation on a lathe years ago. I still use an incandescent lightbulb to heat up the bed slightly and all my problems went away. Well, at least all my problems related to lathe condensation. I still have lots of other problems to deal with.

 

[Daddy B]

Maybe a stupid idea, but, I was thinking of trying one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FRFSIM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005FRFSIM&linkCode=as2&tag=gsacom-20

 

[ttpete]

Keep the air moving. Use ceiling fans, the all metal industrial type, and run them 24/7.

 

[nickjj]

Keep the air moving. Use ceiling fans, the all metal industrial type, and run them 24/7.

My wife might have something to say about that, I get abuse for leaving lights on...

 

[no704]

Have heard old timers say to place a rag damp with kerosine in the drawers to prevent rust. Not sure if it works, never tried it. Sounds like a fire hazard. Might work?

 

[Empty Pockets]

My wife might have something to say about that, I get abuse for leaving lights on...

Switch to LED bulbs, tell her you are offsetting the energy costs.

 

[Guzzi]

I've had good luck with "Zerust Rust Prevention Plastabs". I put two in each drawer and replace them once a year.

 

[nickjj]

I've had good luck with "Zerust Rust Prevention Plastabs". I put two in each drawer and replace them once a year.

$4.19 and $5.19 shipping to the UK, I'll order some of those.

Need all the help I can get.

Spent 20 minutes cleaning the rust of the prybars today...