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12-26-2008, 08:36 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sedalia,KY
Posts: 252
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Toolbox Condensation
Ok guys & gals,
This is the problem I'm having. My toolbox is setting in a shed. It's a 10X12 wooden shed that is insulated and except for a small leak around the window stays dry on the inside. The toolbox is a Craftsman and sits opposite the wall with the window. I noticed for the second time yesterday that there was condensation on the front of all the drawers. The first time this happened I opened it up only to find many of my expensive tools had an ugly layer of surface rust on them. Tonight, that was the case again.  The first time it happened I took everything out, cleaned it all up, and oiled with some oil I had around. Tonight I did that again. The chromed tools seem not to care, but steel tools, (pliars, pipe wrench, hammers) really get the bad end of it.
Has anyone experienced this? What, if anything, can be done? Do I just have to live with the condensation and oil my tools more frequently?
The pictures of the hammer show both sides. The side not rusted was the bottom. The rusted side was face up. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
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"Shake the hand that shook the world" - Walter O'Dim
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12-26-2008, 08:41 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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I usually only get that if I leave the toolbox open - or any tools lying on the workbench down in Houston....humidity capitol of the world! I finally stored the expensive, small stuff (dimple dies, squeezer bits, countersinks, etc) in zip lock bags in the toolbox, with a squirt of oil to keep the atmosphere in the bag oily. This helps a lot on the building tools when I am not using them all the time.
Paul
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Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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12-26-2008, 08:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,061
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Maybe some dessicant bags in the drawers?
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Steve Zicree
Fullerton, Ca. w/beautiful 2.5 year old son 
RV-4 99% built  and sold 
Rag and tube project well under way
paid =VAF= dues through June 2013
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12-26-2008, 08:53 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Huskerland, USA
Posts: 5,862
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Anytime the tools are colder than the air you are gonna get condensation. Can you seal the leak and heat the shed a little? Short of that Paul's idea is the best solution.
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RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.
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12-26-2008, 09:35 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 743
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Westmarine Dehumidifier
My tools took a beating in a leaking stone garage until I tried these solutions:
1. Put a boat dehumidifier in the shed. Westmarine has one for about $60; I put one in my toolbox. It uses about the same electricity as a 100W bulb but safer:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...2&classNum=380
2. Clean your tools with Rust Free and give them a coat of Boeshield T-9. Both products are available from woodworking suppliers (EagleAmerica, LeeValley, Woodcraft, etc.).
3. Coat any saw table tops or other cast iron surfaces with Top-Cote. Also available from woodworking suppliers.
Good luck!
Mike
__________________
Mike Dooley
RV hitchhiker
RV8 SB
VAF#1067, EAA Chapter 91
Last edited by Transporter : 12-26-2008 at 09:48 PM.
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12-26-2008, 09:37 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
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I use a product I started using to protect my guns, its called BreakFree and you can pick it up in the gun section at Walmart. I also use it on my machine tools and it works quite well in protecting things from rusting. Some other suggestions, put a light bulb in your tool box and throw a blanket over it or get a dehumidifier.
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Please don't PM me! Email only!
Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
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12-26-2008, 10:21 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sedalia,KY
Posts: 252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geico266
Anytime the tools are colder than the air you are gonna get condensation. Can you seal the leak and heat the shed a little? Short of that Paul's idea is the best solution.
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A new window has been on my list since I aquired the building. A friend of mine built it for himself some time ago. He used twice as much lumber in it as a pre-fab you can buy has, but he put a cheap aluminum single pane window in it. It leaks and I need to replace it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Transporter
My tools took a beating in a leaking stone garage until I tried these solutions:
1. Put a boat dehumidifier in the shed. Westmarine has one for about $60; I put one in my toolbox. It uses about the same electricity as a 100W bulb but safer:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...2&classNum=380
2. Clean your tools with Rust Free and give them a coat of Boeshield T-9. Both products are available from woodworking suppliers (EagleAmerica, LeeValley, Woodcraft, etc.).
3. Coat any saw table tops or other cast iron surfaces with Top-Cote. Also available from woodworking suppliers.
Good luck!
Mike
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Mike,
Will the dehumidifier work in my toolbox? Seems like it would only work in the drawer that I put it in??? I have a very nice and heavy moving blanket that I use for a creeper in the driveway when I work under the vehicles. Would it help to cover it if I buy the dehumidifier?
I'm thinking about just moving the toolbox into the house until summer. We've had some wild temp swings this week which must be the cause of the condensation. (9*F last week to 64*F today... welcome to KY)
__________________
"Shake the hand that shook the world" - Walter O'Dim
Last edited by RVAddict : 12-26-2008 at 10:24 PM.
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12-26-2008, 10:22 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 264
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At my civilian job, my toolbox was right near the big hangar doors. I'd sometimes get surface rust over the weekends on things like safetywire pliers and diagonal cutters (basically the non-chromed stuff). I was using drawer liners with VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor - supposed to stop corrosion) to cut down on the problem - didn't work.
I ended up using a two-pronged approach to stop the rust:
1. Daily wipedown of all my tools with a rag that I sprayed liberally with ACF-50.
2. I cut dollar-store towels to the size of my toolbox drawers, sprayed them lightly with WD-40, and covered all my tool drawers at the end of the day.
I don't know if one works better than the other, because I started both within the same week.
Hope this helps...
__________________
Ken
Helicopter mechanic (A&P)
USAFR KC-10 Boom Operator, on final approach to retirement
My RV-9/8/7 dream may be on life support, but it ain't dead yet!
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12-26-2008, 10:55 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 743
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Dehumidifier
I put mine in the bottom section of the rolling toolbox and put a mover's blanket over the whole thing. Between that and the tool products I mentioned above I didn't have any more problems.
There are different styles of dehumidifiers available; you don't want anything that gets too hot (like a bare lightbulb) next to any tools in plastic cases but most of the ones designed for boats should be okay.
As mentioned above, you can also put dessicant (drying) bags or boxes in each drawer. Some of these can be dried out in your oven and reused over and over.
After looking at this thread I found a cool website: check out
www.theruststore.com for all the rust prevention/treatment goodies you'd ever want!
Mike
__________________
Mike Dooley
RV hitchhiker
RV8 SB
VAF#1067, EAA Chapter 91
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12-27-2008, 08:13 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pawling NY
Posts: 26
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rv addict
being in the glass business, i might have a window for you, just let me know what size you need and you can have it for the cost of shipping
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