Replies

1. 
   jimblodgett | Jan 07, 2004 07:59am | #1

   I have an open capenter's box that I haul most of my everyday tools around in David and in winter/spring I afix a couple layers of 6mil visqueen along one side of it.  The visqueen is long enough to drape up over the handle of the box, and back around underneath the opposite side so the wind won't blow it off, exposing the tools. 

   But then again, I haul then around in a heated van instead of the pack of a pick-up, so that might help dry them out, too.

   Other than that, though, I've always thought that if tools got used, they didn't rust.  If they got used so seldom they rusted, they weren't that important anyway. Every once in a while, like maybe once a year or something, I'll find myself with a can of WD-40 and a rag, spraying and wiping down a few things, but it's rare.
2. 
   4Lorn2 | Jan 07, 2004 08:19am | #2

   Teflon based spray grease, bowling alley wax, commercial preservative grease. Tried them all and all work. The wax longest but they lend a waxy, plastic , feel until they get worn in. Preservative the most completely but doesn't last as long under use. Leaves them greasy even after wiping. The Teflon grease lasted a good time and only a bit greasy after a good wipe. 

   The trick to getting them to work is to use heat. I clean the tools of any live rust by scraping or wire brushing. I get dirt out of crevasses with an old toothbrush and wiping with rags. Gummy stuff calls for paint thinner.

   Once clean I warm the tools, direct sun in the summer, blowdrier and a cardboard box, even used the oven once. I warm them to dry them completely, a bit north of warm to the touch. Once dried I slather on the goop of choice. A liberal coat. Them more warming to get it to soak in. This time I go for almost too hot to hold for as long as possible. Be careful not to overheat plastic parts. Then wipe almost dry.

   Touch ups, after a days work in the rain or when I see rust spots, I use the spray grease or even WD40. Don't like WD40 much as it seems too thin but if nothing else is available it will do. I noticed that every time I repeated the job, glaze and bake, the longer they remained rust free. Even in corrosive environments like those found at many industrial sites.

   Be careful with these goops and heating. I caused a small problem when I left a drier blowing into a oil soaked cardboard box. No actual fire as such but a lot of smoke. Got the feeling that it could have gone up in flames if let run any longer. Another point: don't machine dry the oily rags even after washing. Major fire hazard. Line dry them.

3. 
   jagwah | Jan 07, 2004 07:52pm | #3

   I've found the rust on the handsaws helps the dull teeth cut better. The rust also helps seal the end of the cut.

   The rust on the head of my hammer helps me see better when I miss hitting the nail. The little rustty circles help me zero in on that nail. Most helpful when I'm doing trim work, I don't want to miss to many times.

   Just sharing my talents. 

4. 
   jagwah | Jan 25, 2004 09:52am | #4

   I like that.

   Rusty Hammer

   Wasn't he an old porno star?

   J.ust A G.uy W.ith A H.ammer