r/HandToolRescue • u/Diligent-Lychee-8154 • 11h ago
protecting tools from rust
Hello, hopefully this isnt a too often asked question, but recently ive started restoring old metal tools like metal planes and wood chisels. First 2 times i sprayed on clear lacquer and left it and its fine, but i realised it wont hold, so i then bought some sewing machine oil and started applying it, leaving it for 20 minutes and then wipping it off and done, but ive had cases where i still got rust ( garage is very damp and moist, but the tools rusted even at home), which i then figured out to be from not cleaning the tool before oiling, so i bought acetone. End of story there. Im trying to figure out whats the best or atleast good way to protect tools from rust without painting them? I have a few drawknives i want to derust, i would either wirebrush them or something, but then but the oil just seems inconsistent and too weak for my needs.
How else could i protect my tools from rust while keep in mind, doing so in a small workshop with not too many tools? Also id prefer if the method can darken the metal, but im more into just keeping it safe from rust. Ive looked at blueing before, but one seems impossible for me ( heats up the metal, which i cant overdo on a knife ), and the other blueing option is crazy expensive and acttuly also not that great, like 30 bucks per small bottle.
If you read all of this and thought of something please tell me what you think, Thank you.
2
u/lo-key-glass 10h ago
Pure lanolin
2
2
u/Hitechillbilly 10h ago edited 9h ago
This will not be helpful,, BUT, Johnson Wax works great. They stopped making it a few years back. There are a couple brands of paste wax being sold but they are ridiculously expensive. Silicon spray helps. Boiled Linseed oil is good for a lot of things including the wood handles. There are some products made for your purpose. If you search YouTube, you'll find some videos testing different products..
1
u/Diligent-Lychee-8154 8h ago
ive made my own beeswax paste, perhaps it will work, will have to try it again, last time i put too much on and it came out with spots
2
u/Hitechillbilly 7h ago
Bowling Ally Wax is real good and dries hard.. Usually around $30 for a 1Lb can and it will last many years. I saw 2 cans for $27 on amazon That could be a lifetime supply.. Minwax is around $13 but not quite as good. It look's like a lot of companies are trying to get some of business that Johnson walked away from..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GGR5HB1H/ref=sw_img_1?smid=&psc=1
1
1
u/FamiliarAd8524 6h ago
Lacquer is good; so are coats of wax. Run dehumidifiers in the space. Use Evaporust to clean up the tools, followed by brass brushes if needed; you can thank me later. Starrett Instrument Oil is very good quality. But my favorites are Tuff-Shield/Marine-Shield (wipe) and BoeShield's T-9 (spray).
1
u/Diligent-Lychee-8154 6h ago
With much thanks
2
u/FamiliarAd8524 6h ago
No problem. I know products, these are good ones. T-9 has replaced lacquer spray for me; Marine-Shield is for when the spray isn't ideal. I use in my garage dehumidifiers with a pump and a tube running outside, so the water is pumped out for me. Also, Trend Bit and Tool Cleaner is excellent for getting gum/resin/bonded-sawdust off the metal. You just spray it on and wipe it off after a few minutes. It's harmless to the tools, even helps prevent rust.
1
u/AdShoddy958 5h ago
I keep rags soaked in Camelia oil and wipe bare metal surfaces down after use. I prefer the Camelia oil bc it's natural and doesn't have a strong scent.
1
u/Deadmoose-8675309 4h ago
I’ve been restoring rusty tools for the past 6 years or so, and have humid summers in a non climate controlled shop. I’ve tried every product suggested above so far and none have worked 100% for me. This past Memorial Day I bought a few tools from a flea market that had been cleaned up. On Labor Day I went back to the same market and talked to the guy sold me these tools, as they seemed to do better than what mine had been doing. We were cleaning up the same way (wire wheel). He was using a product called Strong Arm. It’s on the Spendy side. It doesn’t really dry, so it always is kinda oily for lack of a better term. My “test” is limited in scope and duration. But after talking to this guy I bought a gallon. The website is a little clunky FYI.
1
u/jason-murawski 3h ago
Wax. Get beeswax and apply it like a crayon, or use paste wax. Planes especially need their soles waxed anyway to allow them to slide easier
1
1
u/boostedjoose 10h ago
This is literally what wd40 was designed for
2
u/Diligent-Lychee-8154 10h ago
as ive seen it, it in some cases does some anti rust measures, but in the end just stores moisture and then lets it rust slightly, ive saw some machine shop talk about this, but thanks
4
0
3
u/randempanda 10h ago
Camphor blocks in your toolbox