Thread: Long term tool storage/protection

For the exposed cast you could cover the surface in a rust resistant grease and cover with some breathable cloth.

Originally Posted by Harry72

For the exposed cast you could cover the surface in a rust resistant grease and cover with some breathable cloth.

Harry, I'm not sure why you suggest something breathable? It's interesting to see new machinery delivered with the cast covered with a thin film of thick oil and then what looks like plastic film.

I have found single socks (uno those one-ofs that seem to multiply in the clothes baskets) make good storage for hand tools tools. Get two socks and turn them inside-out and stick your hands inside them. Get some Ubeaut natural wax or similar and dip tips of socks into wax, lightly smear wax over the foot part of the socks - rub together like washing hands. Reverse socks and pop hand tools into socks and massage/fondle tool inside sock, protects against knocks and rust etc.

Doesn't seem to have put a dent in our lone sock population though, in fact it seems to have encouraged more breeding

New metal products are often coated with Cosmoline; new tools often ship wrapped with some sort of protective paper. Not sure where you'd get either one. Consider tool suppliers, auto parts stores, gun shops, exporting manufacturers.

Joe

Originally Posted by B.O.B.

I....Does anyone have any suggestions?.

I'll look after them for you.

B.O.B.

My Dad works in an old shed which has one wall partially open to the elements -- thus rust is a problem.

He has found that the single most important element of rust prevention is to keep your tools well covered. Using a heavy blanket, or a plastic or canvas tarp goes most of the way towards protecting your tools. This is even more important than any oil, wax, or grease.

Another friend of mine just sprays everything down with enormous amounts of WD40. I hate the sound of that but it seems to work for him. Lately I have been using Metallglanz, a special oil product from FELDER (Derek about it; he is the FELDER rep in QLD). This product, while not particularly cheap, is fantastic. It goes on like light weight machine oil but dries with a very thin protective film. I have not had a problem with rust since using it. The instructions say to wipe it off after application, although if I were you I would put a heavy coat on your machines, hand tools, and then cover everything.

Good luck,

Bob, its to allow any condensation to evaporate, the grease with a impervious cover could form pockets to trap condensation.
The paper that comes on machines is just wax paper(baking paper).

Vasoline is the el-cheapo cosmoline-alike but Super-Cheap auto has spray cans of that lanotec grease which would also work.(I like the lanolin stuff because there is less chance of doing something nasty to plastic or wood)

A few plastic storage boxes with tight fitting lids can be used for all the things that you dont want to cover in goop. Buy a few bags of the up-market kitty litter (the ones that are advertised as long life litter - they look like white crystals with the occasional blue crystal in them) as it is just pure sillica gel, and chuck a few handfulls into a sock and store with the tools; it'll soak up any atmospheric moisture while in storage.

If you really want to go silly, you could seal the boxes with silicone around the lid and co-opt one of those fittings from the vacuum storage bags to suck out the air inside! (might be worth it if you have a king's ransom in Felder tools)

Dont forget to back off the tension on any power transmission belts, like on a tablesaw, so they dont go funny while they are waiting for your return.

Thank you to everyone for all your help. I'll sift through everything and let you know what I decide to do.

And when I get back I'll let you know how it all went.

B.O.B.

Bob, some good ideas here. I strongly suggest you only use WD40 for cleaning before you apply something else though. I sprayed a toolbox with it once before shipping it overseas. About two months later when I opened the box it was like I had sprayed the tools with salt water. Use oil or similar, or one of the other products listed.