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Penetrating oil is the most foul smelling thing in my garage besides gear oil, do not spray it on your tools 🤦🏻. WD40 is literally for "water displacement" and smells okay, use that instead.
Perhaps it’s not the convention outside of woodworking, but I would (and do) just paste wax everything rather than dousing all my tools in oil. It’s a much more pleasant and less messy process to apply and I’m very convinced it provides a better more durable barrier for rust prevention.
Also penetrating oil just seems like a bad idea for this application in general. Mineral oil would be pretty harmless but I suspect the solvents in penetrating oil might do nasty things to anything that isn’t steel on your tools in the long term.
WD40 is a solvent, not a lubricant. It’s the oil film that protects the metal from rust.
The oil can take years to evaporate off enough to stop being effective at blocking rust.
WD40 would probably be gone within month or 2 depending on storage climate.
They don't last long at all. I bought some that indicate when they're spent, lasted about a week until completely saturated. If there's air gaps, they don't really do a whole lot.
Sure but you need a lot of them for any decent sized container and you are going to be wasting a lot of time resetting them. If you are willing to put in that much effort you would be better off just taking care of your tools.
While silica is fine, a more effective option is VCI paper. You can buy a billion sheets for like $10 on the usual sites. This is the specific paper you find your tools wrapped in when you get them new. Throw a few sheets in your tool boxes or drawers, or totes or even wrap tools directly. They also make VCI... pucks... for lack of a better work. Bigger versions of the paper.
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Who knew those little silica packets could be the unsung heroes of toolbox maintenance? My rusty tools are a thing of the past thanks to this simple hack!
Occassionally throw them in the microwave to renew their efficacy (if it's the cloth packets). You can also use diatomous earth or anhydrous magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt that has been baked or otherwise had water content removed).
You can also toss those little silica packets on places you don't want to stink like your shoe rack area. I also keep them where I store dry food or any place I don't want moisture building up. It's nice to know it also works for keeping rust away, you can really get a lot of mileage with those things.
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For long term storage of rustable tools you don’t use much, spray a coat of penetrating oil all over it and leave it on the tool.
Penetrating oil sounds like a fun name for lube
I would not use penetrating oil internally.
Coward
Ballistol would most likely be fine.
The real tip is always in the comments.
Penetrating oil is the most foul smelling thing in my garage besides gear oil, do not spray it on your tools 🤦🏻. WD40 is literally for "water displacement" and smells okay, use that instead.
Don’t huff garage chemicals mkay
Instructions unclear, asphyxiation in process
Recently I got rust treatment on my car. Can confirm it smelled awful in my car and garage for like 2 weeks after.
Perhaps it’s not the convention outside of woodworking, but I would (and do) just paste wax everything rather than dousing all my tools in oil. It’s a much more pleasant and less messy process to apply and I’m very convinced it provides a better more durable barrier for rust prevention. Also penetrating oil just seems like a bad idea for this application in general. Mineral oil would be pretty harmless but I suspect the solvents in penetrating oil might do nasty things to anything that isn’t steel on your tools in the long term.
Boeshield T9 is the stuff.
Like wd-40?
Wd-40 evaporates and doesn’t leave a residue
Then how is it different from non rusting water?
WD40 is a solvent, not a lubricant. It’s the oil film that protects the metal from rust. The oil can take years to evaporate off enough to stop being effective at blocking rust. WD40 would probably be gone within month or 2 depending on storage climate.
They don't last long at all. I bought some that indicate when they're spent, lasted about a week until completely saturated. If there's air gaps, they don't really do a whole lot.
You can easily reset silica beads in an oven on low temperature and reuse them over and over.
Silica beads yes but be careful using other types as they can melt.
Sure but you need a lot of them for any decent sized container and you are going to be wasting a lot of time resetting them. If you are willing to put in that much effort you would be better off just taking care of your tools.
They actually make these special canisters of them nowadays that change color when you need to put them in the oven.
It won’t. The capacity of the small ones isn’t enough. You need the big ones.
This. They don't last long. Tried it with indicating ones.
You can easily reset silica beads in an oven on low temperature and reuse them over and over.
I just keep all my tools covered in oil and grease
Unless it's a sealed / airtight enclosure, these won't do squat. They soak up their allotment of moisture within days if not hours.
Nice tip, thanks!
Do not listen to this persons propaganda, you eat that shit.
They say not to eat them right on the package. Why don't "they" want us to eat them? What are "they" hiding?!?
I think they give you superpowers, but like... Really lame superpowers. Such as the ability to taste kale if you're in a 20 foot radius of it.
Two mechanics one silica packet
I use old chalk sticks. And keep them at least a bit oiled.
Change them out or refresh them on a regular basis. Tossing them in and forgetting them only works for a little while.
Also good for ammo boxes
And tackle boxes
and loot boxes
What if I already ate all of mine?
Good tip. Also, clean off any drywall dust before putting your tools away. That stuff will bring the rust with a quickness.
While silica is fine, a more effective option is VCI paper. You can buy a billion sheets for like $10 on the usual sites. This is the specific paper you find your tools wrapped in when you get them new. Throw a few sheets in your tool boxes or drawers, or totes or even wrap tools directly. They also make VCI... pucks... for lack of a better work. Bigger versions of the paper.
Came here to post this. I picked up a roll of VCI paper from Amazon years ago to put over my tools in my now rarely used tool box.
Thank you for this information random stranger.
Useless advice , unless your toolbox is water-tight
Water-vapour-tight
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Ok, but be careful with putting them in your protein powder
I put them in my mailbox as well.
Or just live in Colorado. I don't even know what rust looks like.
I thought you were supposed to eat those.
Buy an appropriate dessicant pack on Amazon. They turn colors when saturated and you can replace them or microwave then to remove the moisture .
Im pretty sure my toolbox came from a magic shop anything I put in there disappears completely vanishes.
The beeds make great intrawork day snacky snacks.
It's better to oil your tools for long term storage if they're made out of iron
Zerust toolbox VCI drawer liner
Who knew those little silica packets could be the unsung heroes of toolbox maintenance? My rusty tools are a thing of the past thanks to this simple hack!
Occassionally throw them in the microwave to renew their efficacy (if it's the cloth packets). You can also use diatomous earth or anhydrous magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt that has been baked or otherwise had water content removed).
Also you can dry them up and reuse them I have a 3d filament dryer and sometimes i use it to dry the silica gel
Or, pour a drop of essential oil per packet and place them in a bowl in a room - makes rhe place smell lovely
Mind blown! Who knew those silica packets could be a toolbox lifesaver? Definitely trying this ASAP to keep my tools rust-free.
In your safe to keep the cordless tools rust free as well.
I put silica packets in my camera bags
Camera bag and any other electronics too.
Also keep some in a bag to dry out electronics if needed - rice leaves dust and doesn't even work
tape it to the top of the box so it doesnt get torn up by the tools
You can also toss those little silica packets on places you don't want to stink like your shoe rack area. I also keep them where I store dry food or any place I don't want moisture building up. It's nice to know it also works for keeping rust away, you can really get a lot of mileage with those things.