Tool Preservation

[David Jackson]

I just finished cleaning up a bit a tool I want to sell but I don't know how long that will take. Contemplating the return of that old devil, rust, I thought of using a food gadget I got some years ago; a vacuum machine. If you don't eat all your dinner you can vacuum it and freeze it and have it next year! I had thought of putting a coat of grease on all precision surfaces, possibly wrapping the items in plastic and then putting them up in vacuum packs. How do you all think that would work? A couple of photos attached of what I want to preserve.
Please let me know what you think and if you have ever done preservation this way. Wife won't let me do it in the kitchen, (ha ha), but I can use the vacuum gadget.

 

[Provincial]

I know that items packed in sealed containers during WWII were still good 30+ years later. This was not vacuum packed.

 

[Shiftless]

I’ve had good luck with Fluid Film. Spray it on, smear it around and you’re good to go. It’s not very humid where you are right? The wildfires last year were devastating.


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[RTM]

Beware of sucking machine oils into the vacuum pump. Others in the household may not be pleased if the kitchen tool smells odd.

 

[JimFZR]

Fluid Film

 

[David Jackson]

Beware of sucking machine oils into the vacuum pump. Others in the household may not be pleased if the kitchen tool smells odd.

You would not be alluding to the WAF would you?

I did get the word that I could not do it in the kitchen.

 

[David Jackson]

I’ve had good luck with Fluid Film. Spray it on, smear it around and you’re good to go. It’s not very humid where you are right? The wildfires last year were devastating.


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Where would I get Fluid Film? Is that an actual product name?

Yes the fires were devastating; fortunately for me my immediate neighborhood was spared.

 

[Old Radar]

Johnson's paste wax works great.

 

[d42jeep]

David, here is some Fluid Film info.

https://www.fluid-film.com/

-Don

 

[JimFZR]

Where would I get Fluid Film? Is that an actual product name?

Yes the fires were devastating; fortunately for me my immediate neighborhood was spared.

Lowe’s carries Fluid Film, as does Autozone I believe.

 

[didit]

I bought a 1910 Lee Enfield 303 that was packed with cosmoline and wrapped in burlap probably after the end of the first world war. After a thorough cleaning it was just like new.
I don't know if they still sell cosmoline or what it consisted of but it was the best I ever seen for long time storage protection from corrosion.
If you plan on selling you won't need to go to that extreme.

 

[d42jeep]

This is from Wikipedia. Looks like I should be getting royalties.
-Don Houghton

 

[Old Radar]

This is from Wikipedia. Looks like I should be getting royalties.
-Don Houghton

Cool! Maybe the King Ranch will let me through the gate!
-Lance King

 

[Dave455]

David - I use a vacuum sealer regularly, it works just great!

Mine isn’t a costly one (equivalent of about $25) but really works well.

I tend to just spray WD40 over any exposed metal then let it dry. If I’m packing for long term I maybe wrap a bit of tissue round the tool, then bag it and vacuum seal.

The great thing is, by sucking the air out, it ***** the water vapour out too, so even if the pack is stored on a cold shop you don’t get condensation!

There’s no risk of contamination as these machines only **** out, so go for it!

Yes, for some reason this process is best carried out without female company. I get the same complaints when I put vehicle parts in the dishwasher...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This is from Wikipedia. Looks like I should be getting royalties.

As you've heard me say before, same company invented Black Oxide in late 1941.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m doing what I can to maintain the family black oxide and cosmoline traditions.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha! Too true!

 

[David Jackson]

Thanks for all the good ideas! I am seriously considering coating the surfaces I am concerned about with some kind of oil or other and trying the vacuum method. Perhaps a coating of Fluid Film and then vacuum.
I wonder what's wrong with auto parts in the dishwasher? If you don't have a professional engine shop steam cleaner the dishwasher is the next best thing isn't it?

DJ