Thread: Protecting hand tools from rust...

Hey surfdabbler,
I use Johnsons's Paste Wax on everything. It keeps the rust away, and doesn't transfer to the wood you're working on. Smooth surfaces seem to rust about as fast as rough ones, but rough metal might hold more wax and be better protected. Rough or smooth, you need to protect it from oxidation. I use it on wood too, dry to the touch, but protected from the elements.

Toby

What about using Food Safe Plus from The Boss.
...and any excess can be licked off

Food Safe Plus, is a pure mineral oil, which will work, but it doesn't dry, which means it can transfer to your work (wood) causing difficulties with finishes and glue-up, and leaving dark blotch stains on your project. On metal it will attract dust and actually cause rust. I prefer using something that is dry to the touch, and Never use anything with silicone.

Toby

Ive always used a bit of camellia oil rubbed on with a rag. never had a problem , lasts for ages get it from carba tec $24 a bottle last you several years

Ment to say, it wont mark anything you only need a tiny amount rubbed on with a rag.

I use 3 in 1 oil and it is fine with most tools. Most of it is wiped off just leaving a very light film. Larger flat surfaces like plane soles and sides get wax polish (paste wax). Same for table saw and the like. It is best to ckeck tools often and clean as required rather than be lulled into thinking there is a rust proofing on them so they are sweet. No method lasts for ever so check at least 2 times a year especially after long wet spells like we have just had.
Regards
John

Camellia Oil, Organic - Aussie Soap Supplies

If it's good enough for Lie Nielsen . . .

I gave my tools a good soak in CRC spray, then wiped it all off again as best I could, and followed up with paste wax. Hopefully this will give good long-term protection, as well as making the saws run nice and smooth.

Originally Posted by surfdabbler

I gave my tools a good soak in CRC spray, then wiped it all off again as best I could, and followed up with paste wax. Hopefully this will give good long-term protection, as well as making the saws run nice and smooth.

Which CRC spray did you use?

Toby

I'm a fan of liquid bees wax. Buff it after it dries and it helps the planes and saws work better too, but doesn't hurt on anything else.

I've had several people recommend this stuff:

Renaissance Wax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

By all accounts it is some sort of magic.

However, it smells nasty, so I've stopped using it and gone back to camellia oil.

I used to use Camellia oil, then swapped to G15 as my main protection for hand tools.

I have to ask again. Which CRC spray did you use? Some CRC sprays have silicone, which you don't want any where near your woodworking tools.

Toby

I'm with Christos. G15. I'll use camelia oil from time to time eg end of work, overnight and I'm sure it works really well long term but I just find the coating that g15 gives really sticks and stops rust for a long long time.

Cheers,
Virg.