Thread: Keeping rust off tools

I remember reading that camellia oil is apparently better than wd40. I use it on all my stuff (I get it from www.toolsfromjapan.com). But I live in dry Adelaide, not moist nth qld

I've used camelia before and I switched to jobo oil no real reason I just wanted to give it a go and the results are equal. What I've noticed though if applied liberally it does a fairly decent job but still due to the high humidity levels were having especially it's even higher in the shop it's just not doing it's job. Just how bad it is I have a dowel plate I purchased 6 months ago from LN I left it in the drawer unwrapped and in it's leather pouch, just yesterday I took it out unwrapped it and all and it was rusted with in grained rust. I doubt very much LN would of sent me a rusted one but not even the anti corrosion paper helped, luckily LN is going to replace it and how fantastic customer service they have a very big thank you to them but I really want something that is going to prevent this rust from forming.

BTW you can pick up camelia oil from either LN or carba tec.

I will put in a mention for Lanolin.

I got a squeeze-spray bottle of it from Supercheap Auto 750ml for about $16.

I am in Perth - so nothing like your humidity - but I have chisels and planes in the garage that were gathering a light red rust on their upward facing surfaces (little to nothing on the bottom) over months.

I started trying it about 2 or 3 months ago. I put it on some backsaws and deliberately left them on a shelf next to a partly open window in the garage. They have had no rust over a couple of months in that spot - except where I obviously missed a spot, or used one to cut with a little and didn't reapply.

The lanolin itself smells like a wet sheep soaked in petrol (kinda) - but I think I like it now!

It goes on as a slightly viscous liquid, and 'dries' to an oily / waxy coating. It is great for storage of tools - for me. I'm so pleased to have found something that can give me some peace of mind that my neglected tools have some reasonable protection. Not sure how you would find it for end-of-the-day protection, but you could perhaps just use it lightly in that case? I put it on thick.

G15 if I got that right gets a pretty big rap from people too - but I have never had any of it to try. Paste wax too, obviously, but again I haven't tried it.

And finally I have some Balistol in from the US - again a hand-squeeze spray in an aerosol-like can 16fl.oz. (473ml). It was recommended by Michael Merlo for saws (and guns I guess) but I haven't used it on anything yet. Pretty sharp smell in the can!

...

For illustration, here are my Titan firmers after cleaning up on the wire wheel and coated all over - blade, handle, everything.
(Lanolin that is)

Garage 015.jpg

That was 12th November and - having just checked - they are unchanged now.

Cheers,
Paul

Section1, there have been a few threads on this topic. It seems everyone has his/her favourite goop, but all have limitations. In general, the thicker & more hydrophobic the coating, the better, however, that isn't always compatible with a tool in regular use, and some compounds that are good at rust prevention are incompatible with finishing materials. Some of the fancier stuff is good, but poisonously expensive to splash around in quantity. I use 'Lanotec' on anything that is to be stored for a while, but don't like it on daily users - too waxy & sticky! The idea is to limit acces of H2O to the metal, so a combination of coating plus keeping the tools in closed containers to limit air circulation as much as possible, helps.

I'm located in Brisbane, which can be a pretty humid spot, and have trouble with any tools kept on racks, in my shed, so I keep all my 'good' tools in a closeable cupboard, and smaller tools like chisels are in drawers within said cupboard. The tools get an occasional light coating of pastewax, polished off with a clean rag, which doesn't affect glue or finishes as far as I can tell. I haven't had any problems with the hand tools for years, but I do still get rust on my tablesaw & bandsaw tops in the really bad parts of the year (drops of salty sweat do a real number on cast iron if you don't wipe them off immediately!). A bit of paste wax and steel wool cleans off a light 'bloom' and helps prevent more, temporarily.

Regular use also seems to be a good rust preventative!

Cheers,

What's the name of this paste wax. I use my tools daily and clean them all at the end of each day, I was told by Chris Vesper to use G15 but am unsure if it contains silicon or not if it does it will have an effect on finishes. Another I heard car polish I did try that on my table saw and I was good for months but not sure though if it does contain silicon or not. I hardly use my tablesaw I'm mostly hand tool only soi still don't if it would have any adverse effects on finishes.

section1 I emailed Ferropak G15 to find out:
Email:
HiCan you please advise if G15 contains material such as silicone which when applied to woodworking tools such as chisels , handplanes etc can transfer to the surface of the timber and create problems when using wood stains and finishes.


Thanks

Reply:
Paul ,
Our product does not contain Silicone
G15 is recommended by the Australian Wood Working Association
refer Jim Davey

I attach technical data for your perusal.

Regards
Les Amy
GM Research ,Design &development

They also sent the technical data sheet. Thanks Les

That is fantastic work Paul thank you very much for that I am definitely buying ths now I just have to find out from where.

I have mention in other threads and will mention again.

I have been using G-15 and have only used about three cans in under two years. Next tool sale in Sydney I am hoping to get some more.


This is the company web site that makes it.

Home

Originally Posted by Pac man

They also sent the technical data sheet. Thanks Les

Oh thank god! It's thixotropic. I was worried about that.



Paul(2)

I called Carba tec in Brisbane and they don't stock it anymore I know Chris Vesper sells it but it cannot be shipped so if you know anyone in either Brisbane or preferrably the Gold Coast who does sell it I would very much appreciate it. I may ask Masters if they can get it in for me.

When is the next Brisbane Working With Wood Show?

Then my only hope is pestering local businesses to make some money off of me.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Oh thank god! It's thixotropic. I was worried about that.



Paul(2)

Just for you my friend from wiki:
In more technical language: some non-Newtonianpseudoplastic fluids show a time-dependent change in viscosity; the longer the fluid undergoes shear stress, the lower its viscosity. A thixotropic fluid is a fluid which takes a finite time to attain equilibrium viscosity when introduced to a step change in shear rate.

Originally Posted by Christos

When is the next Brisbane Working With Wood Show?

May 17 - 19, 2013.

Section1, the paste wax I use is the stuff made by our sponsor (U-beaut). AFAIK, it can be shipped, & Carbatec stock it, if you are in the habit of visiting their store.

Sometimes I wonder if 'silicone phobia' is warranted - it will certainly affect some types of finish, but has no effect on others. My unbdersatnding is that the finishes most likely to be affected are the ones least likely to be used by weekend warriors. Still, I suppose it is easy enough to avoid the stuff, & an ounce of prevention & all that.....

Cheers,