Avoiding tool rust?

[rdamazio]

Hi all.

I noticed that some of my tools are starting to rust



I bought them new about a year ago, so it sounds too early for them to be rusting. I do keep silica gel bags in the toolchest drawers, but that doesn't seem to be enough. Any hints on conserving tools and preventing/removing rust? I do use tool oil in my air tools, but haven't done anything for the others that are rusting (the above squeezer, many bucking bars, my back-riveting plate, automatic center punch, etc.).

Thanks in advance!

[daveyator]

Scotchbrite pads will take off light surface rust, then wipe over with a little WD40 on a rag. If they still keep rusting, use them more frequently
Cheers, DaveH

[terrykohler]

Uncoated tools, or even tools with a black coating (typically zinc phosphate), should be cleaned/wiped down with light oil before being put away. Most toolmakers or mechanics keep an oily rag in their toolbox for that purpose. Even the moisture from your hands can lead to corrosion on bare metal.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

[DanH]

Temperature stability. A cold tool condenses water from warm air just like a cold beer bottle.

[PixelWorker]

This stuff works well for easily removing rust. Amazon

Then follow up with light oil.

[BillL]

Originally Posted by DanH

Temperature stability. A cold tool condenses water from warm air just like a cold beer bottle.

Do you heat the work space? Do happen to use propane or kerosene? Both produce lots of water vapor in combustion and the (cold) tools are the first place to collect water and the last to reach temperature. Are you within a few miles of the coast?

Kerosene has sulfur and the collected water is acidic. I know a guy who ruined over $30k of tools this way.

Tell us more about the work space and how the tools are stored. A 40watt incandescent light bulb in a fire protected area in a metal tool box will keep the temps in the tool box up.

Oh -WD40 and 0000 steel wool will de-rust the tools. Fix the pix. It does not show.

Scotch Brite has silicon carbide abrasive, much harder than steel wool. It will dull the appearance of mirror surfaces on chrome, steel wool won't.

[scard]

This has been a major concern for us since our move away from our temp stable shop. All of our expensive machine tools are stored in the house until the new shop is built. All machine surfaces that are still in the "very loose" garage have been "preserved". Hopefully we start shop construction within the next month. It took me 2hrs to find enough tools to shoot five rivets for a friend the other day. Maddening!

I agree with give 'em a wipe with an oily rag. How about that, this is one place where WD-40 could have a proper application in your shop .

[Gary 40274]

A dehumidifier will work wonders at preventing rust both on tools and on anything else you have in your work space

Gary Specketer

[TangoPapa]

I live in florida were everything wants to rust.
Conditioned air via a dehumidifier or AC is best but if that isn't an option try this stuff, I spray it on all my metal shop equipment and it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Boeshield-T-9-.../dp/B001447PEK

[DaleB]

As others have mentioned, you can remove the surface rust with Scotch-Brite or fine steel wool and prevent it with a little oil or WD-40 -- used in the role for which it was developed for a change.

Dessicant gel packs or dehumidifiers can help in an indoor location, but in a humid garage they probably won't help much. Dessicant packs will also need to be dried out regularly, as they can only absorb so much moisture. Those are great for enclosed, relatively well sealed places. Tool boxes are generally not well sealed.

I had a lot of surface rust on things like my drill press, belt sander, etc. after sitting unused in the garage for several years. Some 0000 steel wool and oil cleaned them up, then a spray and wipe with WD-40 or a few drops of light oil has kept them in great rust-free shape ever since.