Thread: Is Western Red Cedar suitable for this box?

Hi Sandie,

Not sure if you're intending to screw all the sides together or not. If you are, I think I'd use a different method (glue maybe?)
If you are asking about whether screws used to hold hinges are the issue, why not use wooden pivot hinges (see pics) or solid wood external hinges. In most cases, hinges will come with brass/ brass plated hinges anyway.

Hope this helps,

Rob

Thanks Rob,

Love your website and the boxes, looks great

Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough, I'm actually concerned that steel items such as dies and router bits would corrode over time from direct contact with WRC if I made their storage boxes out of WRC.

Theory being that steel nails will corrode if used in WRC, tool steel in contact may suffer the same fate over time.

Anyone know anything?
Richard

Not sure about any of the oils or such in WRC causing any specific corroding but I think more of a concern is that any timber has a certain moisture content so your steel items inside the box may end up with a surface rust, I would also be inclined to think that long term the rusting will continue as the timber absorbs and releases moisture as part of the normal cycle.
I would separate the tool from the timber by sealing the surface of the inside (outside as well) of the box with a film/oil finish or maybe flocking or felt and additionally put some moisture absorbing beads in the box as well, some timbers may be better to use than others but I think if u do anything along the lines as above u should be right, u would also prevent rust by wiping the tool with some Camelia/Tea oil, there was a thread back a bit on this subject.
Others may have a few ideas

Pete

Hi Sandie,

I don't see a real issue with using tools on WRC and getting rust on them. As pjt said, clean them off afterwards if you're really worried. I'd probably wipe the tools down with Mineral Turps, then use the Camelia oil.

Regards,

Rob