Tool box dryers

[Runner94]

Does anyone out there have problem with their tools rusting when the box is in a garage or a basement?? For what it's worth, think about this.

My wife and daughter are Martha Stewart diciples. Not in her business dealings but her craftyness. Anyway, in the latest MS Living she had homeowner tips. This one was for rusting tools in a tool box. She says to take a charcol briquet, either put it into a cloth bag that your significant other could make up for you or I think maybe wrapping it up in a paper towel and put it into each drawer of the box. It absorbs any moisture and stops rusting. She didn't say how much it would stop but anything is better than not. I know a thin film of oil would do the same thing but maybe it's worth a try. It's cheap enough.

Who knows maybe Martha could unknowingly help Garage Junkies around the world. Hey you gotta love the *(#!$ she can do anything!!

 

[dink]

Yea oil would be the best way to go.....I would think the only way for them to rust is for the drawers to stay open all the time and exposed all the time....or the tools are up on the wall and never used....now punches and chisels are a different story because they generally arent treated like hand tools and those will naturally rust alot faster...and possibly a brickette would be good for these

 

[Luckydevil]

Or you could just fill your tool drawers with dried rice.

 

[Jay H 237]

I've never heard of brickettes being used. I've heard of the desiccant sacks that absorb moisture. As with the desiccant the brickettes would have to be changed from time to time. They can only absorb so much moisture and after that point they're useless and actually trap moisture near the tools or whatever you're storing.

 

[79rallysport]

I've never heard of brickettes being used. I've heard of the desiccant sacks that absorb moisture. As with the desiccant the brickettes would have to be changed from time to time. They can only absorb so much moisture and after that point they're useless and actually trap moisture near the tools or whatever you're storing.

I've got a few of those desiccant's taped to the bottom of my tool box drawers. They seem to work very well and since they're on the bottom, they don't get in the way and don't take up usable space. Personally I don't really like putting oil on my tools, unless I plan to store them for a long time, because it makes the tools slippery.

 

[Rickster]

If they rust you can justify throwing them out and buying new ones. I don't see a downside.

 

[motorheadjohn]

I am only 1/2 mile from the Chesapeake Bay water here in VA. I put a drop or two of air tool oil on a rag and wipe down tools after every use...screwdriver, socket, whatever. In the hot humid summer months I have to oil all the tools every week or two.

It's a constant battle to keep up with them. I have tried dessicant bags and all kinds of stuff, nothing prevents pitting in the worst humidity of the summer months.

I think the long term solution is going to be a heat pump system installed for the garage to cool it off and remove humidity in the summer, and then warm it up a little in the winter too.

 

[nvmygtz]

Also when using desiccant most can be reused. Just toss them in the oven for a few hours. Each has there own but most this can be done.
Or if you have one of the flip cover lids that covers the front alog with the top, take some 1/8 foam sealing tape like whats used on window seals & put it along the inside edge of the cover.

 

[dternst]

I've never heard of brickettes being used. I've heard of the desiccant sacks that absorb moisture. As with the desiccant the brickettes would have to be changed from time to time. They can only absorb so much moisture and after that point they're useless and actually trap moisture near the tools or whatever you're storing.

Desiccant bags would have been my choice to remove moisture.

http://www.detailersparadise.com/View.asp?ProductID=672320051144521%2D691513519683

 

[tonydanzah]

this is some good stuff

 

[stricht8]

The good thing about the charcoal briquettes, if they work that is, is that you can burn them in the BBQ once they have absorbed moisure. That way there is no waste.

 

[egdede]

Put some camphor in each drawer.

 

[tonydanzah]

how dare you use that word

 

[gofastman]

I douse all my tools with Amsoil MP every once in a while, I dont care if they are oily, I wash my hands at the end of the day anyway.
you could look into one of these, idk how well they work.
http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/

 

[Jbullfrog]

Check with your pharmasist. Most of the bulk drug bottles are packed with dessicant packets that they throw away normally.

 

[olds88]

i use old silicate packs from japanese ac condensors and sometimes parts come with silicate packs too

 

[speed bump]

Its so dry here it doesn't matter but I still throw a couple of the silicate packets in with my taps, dies, and precision tools just in case.

 

[Desoto Iron]

Who knows maybe Martha could unknowingly help Garage Junkies around the world. Hey you gotta love the *(#!$ she can do anything!!


This is a sign I have hanging in the bathroom of my shop.

 

[american lockpicker]

I had problems with my tools rusting in the garage so I moved them inside and store them in a spare bedroom and that solved all my problems.

 

[Fudge]

I always spray liberal amounts of penatrating oil in the drawers of my box. When I use a tool I usually wipe it down before I use it. My bench also has a bare steel top, it gets sprayed and wiped down a couple times a year also. Who am I kidding? I go through about half a dozen cans a year in my garage. The wife thinks I drink the ****, I spray it on everything. I don't have any problems with rust. I would think a briquette would work in a small tool box like a 14" or something but not in a drawer of any size. Just use your tools often and keep em oiled. Remember an oiled tool is a happy tool!

 

[sjt78]

I keep my tools in the garage as well and have not seen any substantial rust on them. I have always thought that swings in temperature are the biggest causes of rust. I figure it is best for metal to stay at a consistent temperature to avoid rust, but maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Dust]

My mom buys a lot of teddy bears, stuffed animals, things with cloth, and gets a lot of those desiccant sacks. I also get them with my electronic gear.

I just throw one or two in each drawer and forget about it. Yeah, my tools still get a little rusty (My shop gets a consistent off-shore breeze from the Pacific), but whatever. The rust'll get knocked off the next time I use the tool.

 

[mooman]

Bit inserts. That's what I have the most rust on.

 

[arkangel06]

use the little cylica packets you get when you buy new shooes ect... put one in each drawer