To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Tool oil?

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

TuxThePenguin

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2020
Messages
633
Location
MA
if you're talking like a anti-rust spray, in my opinion use Fluid Film, but be aware that aside from stuff like paint, pretty much anything you spray on your tools will leave a residue that will be there when you go to use the tool. Fluid Film is lanolin-based. But WD40 will do ok too (but it's less environmentally friendly). Once rust starts on tools it's kind of a pain to keep it from getting worse. Could have your stuff chromed but that's not cheap.
 

Samuel D

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
638
Does anyone use Swarfega Duck Oil for this purpose? It seems like it might be suitable.
 

Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,796
Location
Sussex, England
Does anyone use Swarfega Duck Oil for this purpose? It seems like it might be suitable.

Yes, I have. It seems to work fairly well. Might even be better than WD-40 in damp conditions.

I have some taps and dies that my Dad used Duck oil on maybe 10 years ago, and they’re fine, I’ve never re coated them!

As a general note (coming from a damp part of the world) I tend to use WD-40 in the first instance. It’s a good cleaner as well as a protectant, so if I’m using a tool often, a spray and a wipe with WD is all they need after use.

For longer storage or harsher conditions I tend to go for Duck oil, followed by wrapping in grease proof paper or “Banrust”.

I’ve got into the habit of storing most of my small tools in plastic boxes with seals (the sort you get from kitchen or hardware shops). I haven’t really had any issues since I’ve been doing this, they stack nicely and access is easy.
 
Last edited:

Kodiak

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 3, 2020
Messages
124
Location
Maryland
Some of my tools I've had for about 35 years. They spend the hot summer and cold winter in my garage toolboxes. All they've ever gotten is the very occassional wipe down with WD-40 or just the residual motor oil/grease from whatever I used them for. Aside from normal wear and tear from usage they look new.
 

uncwstudent

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2017
Messages
898
Location
MS
I used Rem Oil and it seems to work very well. If it works for my guns, it'll usually work for my tools. And its cheap.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

matt_i

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
10,722
Location
SE Michigan
So far I'm using LPS-3 for most tools if needed, high end ones would get a spritz of Boeshield T9
 

HenryAZ

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Sep 18, 2012
Messages
1,054
Location
South Congress AZ
WD-40 for cleaning only. Then Kanolabs (makers of Kroil) Microil for general lube and protection. It is a light machine oil that resists gumming. I bought the quart can, which I'll probably never use up in this lifetime. It has a nice small tip for filling smaller containers.

 

GrayFlattop

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
1,039
Location
Chicago
LPS 1 is my oil of choice to displace moisture and offer moderate protection. It doesn’t get gummy like wd-40, but the latter is more economical
 

pizza

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2019
Messages
1,739
Location
Midwest, USA
a recent thread: Tool protective lubricant

and to all the ballistol fans out there, here is my possibly flawed impression of it:

ballistol was also appealing because it's possibly nontoxic (at least the plain stuff without propellant, not the spray can..), but after thinking about it more, maybe it's better suited to cleaning (especially firearms) than general purpose lubrication and protection. i say this because:


  • it's miscible with water (why would you want that for storage [and protection]?)
  • it's probably incompatible with some metals like brass and copper

with that in mind, why do you consider it to be a good tool oil?
 
Last edited:

bpjr

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Messages
554
Location
Florida east coast
My vintage tools have a protective patina built up from yrs of use. The last thing I want to do is use a "cleaner" product to "protect" them. I use regular motor oil on all my tools and rub them down every 4-6 months.
 

TuxThePenguin

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2020
Messages
633
Location
MA
protective patina

Protective patina?

:confused::confused::confused:

what kind of patina is protective?

I imagine 99.999% of the tools people are thinking of in this thread are made from some kind of steel... As far as I'm aware, steel doesn't develop a protective patina of any kind... any wear on a steel tool is probably not protective
 

bpjr

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Messages
554
Location
Florida east coast
Protective patina?

:confused::confused::confused:

what kind of patina is protective?

I imagine 99.999% of the tools people are thinking of in this thread are made from some kind of steel... As far as I'm aware, steel doesn't develop a protective patina of any kind... any wear on a steel tool is probably not protective

Wear has nothing to do with it. Patina is basically a surface layer on any material caused naturally, by weather or by deposits. In this case old oil/grease or whatever residue was left behind, usually on old well used tools. Over time it makes a hard layer and provides extra rust protection. It starts out as the grunge you are probably removing every time you clean your tools to make them pretty.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom