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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Southern Brisbane, QLD
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    Default What do you do to prevent rust to your hand tools?

    I learnt today that hand tools don't keep themselves rust free by themselves. I store most of my tools using the cunning "on-the-bench" storage system. Well, after a couple of weeks away from my chisels, I picked them up today and noticed that they've got some rust marks on them - and this is Brisbane! Rust must be even more of an issue for some of the wetter climates. This was right after removing the rust from the table of my second hand planer/thicknesser. Today must be the day for rust...

    I've mostly been wiping down my tools using a WD40 drenched rag after using them (as recommended by Christopher Schwarz on his blog), but have been a bit slack about it. The WD40 rag method would be a bit of a pain in the ass as far as planes go - removing the irons and wiping down after every use.

    I'm curious to hear what other forumites do to care for their hand tools - how do you keep them rust-free?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
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    71
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    Default

    Light machine oil is better than WD40 which I find breaks down over time. Better is paste wax (not floor wax; ubeaut trad wax or similar).

    Really keen folks use Camelia oil.

    Added: or heavy duty stuff like Inox, Lanoguard etc. But I don't like the way Lanoguard stays sticky.
    Cheers, Ern

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Redlands area, Brisbane
    Posts
    1,489

    Default

    I use UBeaut Wax as well.

    In fact I use it frequently when hand planing to the sole of the plane.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Horsham
    Posts
    47

    Default

    Thanks for bringing it up Jisk. I have the same problem as well - different reason though; young son likes to imitate dad but leaves the tools outside, in the rain, which can be an issue when I am away for a week or so...

    Another use for UBeaut wax as well..

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
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    Melbourne, Aus.
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    71
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    Default

    Just a comment on the wax though: if you get a drop or two of condensation on the bare metal as opposed to humidity, you'll still get rust. DAMHIK.
    Cheers, Ern

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
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    70
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    2,730

    Default

    I also find that I sweat a lot working in QLD summers. I find sweat is a super rustter, most of my planes can be forensically identified from finger prints!

    I think some of the hanging holes might also have come from previous owners labouring over a job.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Houston
    Age
    71
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    194

    Default

    Don't know if this helps, but when I was in my gun nut phase, and having particularly acidic skin residue, I used to spray my cap and balls down with carb cleaner after cleaning and then use a heavy gun oil (I forget the name) to wipe them down with. After a long boat trip (45 days or so) my firearms would be rust free, even in the 80-90% humidity we have here.
    I use a similar technique with my tools now when I finish a project, but, like you said, with wd40 and have had no problems. Just like with me, it might be a skin issue.
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."

    William Blake

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Highgate Hill, Brisbane
    Age
    57
    Posts
    116

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Capt. Zero View Post
    I used to spray my cap and balls down with carb cleaner after cleaning and then use a heavy gun oil...to wipe them down with.
    I'm lost for words...
    Cheers,

    Al.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Lost in Space
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    53
    Posts
    2,406

    Default Lanotec's the go!

    Gidday

    Im a Lanotec fan some reckon it stays a bit too sticky but I've found a light application n wipe over does a great job. I've been using it on Handplanes and machine beds for a while now

    Bottom line no rust!

    REgards Lou
    Just Do The Best You Can With What You HAve At The Time

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    Oil of cloves or clove oil

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
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    12,746

    Default

    Maybe 'bluing' is the best option? Or is this just cosmetic?

    See Bob Smalser's articles on Wood Central.
    Cheers, Ern

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Lindfield N.S.W.
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    5,643

    Default

    I'm with Lou. I use a lanolin spray and wipe off, the heat in Sydney (even in winter) hardens the lanolin enough so it doesn't go sticky.
    Cheers

    Jeremy
    If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Earth
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    3,567

    Default

    I use Camellia Oil on my metal tools however I prefer wooden planes now and so am using a Tung Oil and Bees wax blend, I wipe down my tools after every use. It forms a nice protective layer.

    I think it is not so much what but as long as you "Do" something, to keep the oxygen away from the metal.

    Lanolin and Linseed is a very classical European method's. My only concern would be the acids in Animal Fat's and in some of these preparation which over decades and centuries are sure to do some damage.

    Clove oil has been mentioned, the Samurai and those who maintain their traditions today always used an oil that smell like Clove oil, I think it is a camellia and clove oil blend as it is not pure clove oil (clove is to make it smell nice, those refined samurai). This blend keeps sword that are very high carbon and prone to rusting clean and rust free for over 500 to a 1000 years and going strong. Remember that blood is very corrosive to high carbon steel, and many of these sword have tasted human blood and have managed to survive intact, to the present day.

    P.s. In a related topic some Japanese Swords "Nihon-to" like the taste of blood, these are said to have a dark spirit and reflect the intent and spirit of the smith who forged the sword. I have given blood to such a sword.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
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    71
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    12,746

    Default

    ... hmm, may explain why the lathe was painted black

    Can someone comment on the properties of cast iron?
    It seems to keep on soaking up whatever you put on it so must be porous. As posted earlier, even a good wipe of wax didn't protect my jointer top from a few drops. What's going on? Not possible to fill the 'pores' permanently?
    Cheers, Ern

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Graceville. Qld
    Age
    77
    Posts
    159

    Default Prevent ruston cast iron

    My best method to prevent rust on cast iron.

    1. Scrub down top with scotchbrite or fine steel wool to get rid of any surface rust.
    2. Wipe clean with rag
    3. Rub board wax or parrafin wax over entire surface
    4. Rub down with rag
    Hey presto - bit of elbow grease - but no rust

    Colin Howkins
    Graceville. Qld

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