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  #1  
Old 12-26-2008, 08:36 PM
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RVAddict RVAddict is offline
 
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Location: Sedalia,KY
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Default 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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  #2  
Old 12-26-2008, 08:41 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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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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  #3  
Old 12-26-2008, 08:51 PM
szicree szicree is offline
 
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Maybe some dessicant bags in the drawers?
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  #4  
Old 12-26-2008, 08:53 PM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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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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  #5  
Old 12-26-2008, 09:35 PM
Transporter Transporter is offline
 
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Location: Lee's Summit, MO
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Default 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
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Last edited by Transporter : 12-26-2008 at 09:48 PM.
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  #6  
Old 12-26-2008, 09:37 PM
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rocketbob rocketbob is offline
 
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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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  #7  
Old 12-26-2008, 10:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geico266 View Post
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.
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 View Post
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,
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)
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Last edited by RVAddict : 12-26-2008 at 10:24 PM.
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  #8  
Old 12-26-2008, 10:22 PM
jarhead jarhead is offline
 
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Location: PA
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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...
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  #9  
Old 12-26-2008, 10:55 PM
Transporter Transporter is offline
 
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Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 743
Default 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
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  #10  
Old 12-27-2008, 08:13 AM
bluezero513 bluezero513 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pawling NY
Posts: 26
Default 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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