cellardoor Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I finished (or thought I finished) a dutch tool chest recently and, after using it for a week, found that rust stains were forming on the soles of my planes. I'd rub them off with some 1000 grit automotive sandpaper, but they'd be back after a day or so. I found some old threads that seemed to indicate that leaving tools flat on unfinished wood would cause just this type of rust. The interior is unfinished pine and, while I run a dehumidifier in the basement, it also doubles as a laundry room so there's probably a good amount of moisture in the air. So does anyone have any recommendations? Poly the best? Also thinking of keeping desiccant packets in it when I won't be in the shop for a few days or more. Any other thoughts on keeping everything safe? I use jojoba oil religiously whenever I leave the shop for the day, but it doesn't seem to guard against these rust stains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I'd use wax on it. It's what I'm planning with mine. I have a wall mounted rack that is painted with milk paint. I don't think it's good for the bottoms of the planes. So, I made the Dutch tool chest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellardoor Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I like the wax answer, thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I used some linseed oil on my tool chest. If I did it again I'd leave it naked to get all beat up. Patina rocks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I'm not sure the wood is your problem but high humidity in general. I store my planes in a wood bench with drawers and they don't rust. - sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Many masters recommend waxing or lightly oiling the plane at the end of use. Friction wears it down. I think this will take care of all but long term issues. For long term, save up some desiccant packs. You might even be able to buy them somewhere. I have never looked. Edit: Sure enough http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_box_?k=dessicant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Dessicant packs for long-term storage can become costly, as they will saturate and need to be replaced. It may be possible to dry them out for re-use, but I think they would have a limited lifespan even then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellardoor Posted September 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 What's interesting is that despite higher humidity than the rest of my house, the planes will not rust if I just leave them out on the bench. I've actually taken them out of the chest to stop the rust spots from forming. I think I've zeroed in on the real source, though - the titebond 3 I used to adhere the thin poplar strips that hold everything in their places. I think that, despite sitting for several days before loading, the glue must be retaining some type of moisture. I've done my best to remove what I can, but the rust is only at the very corners of the plan sole for a few millimeters into the sole and up the sides and corresponds roughly to the area that's in contact with those little poplar strips. I'll still probably seal the thing, though. It's now been over a week and a half. Unless someone thinks that this is not enough time for the glue to stop affecting the planes with moisture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 TB III is moisture safe? It is more likely that ambient humidity is condensing on the cool planes/case and the TB III is keeping this on the surface rather than letting it equalize through the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Dessicant packs for long-term storage can become costly, as they will saturate and need to be replaced. It may be possible to dry them out for re-use, but I think they would have a limited lifespan even then. Silica Gel can be dried in the oven and reused many many times. It is essentially a form of glass that pulls water into it. So baking the gel once a month and mitigating moisture transfer through the box should work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Do you know a source for the gel beads? I was thinking about the packaging material being subject to wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Silica Gel can be dried in the oven and reused many many times. It is essentially a form of glass that pulls water into it. So baking the gel once a month and mitigating moisture transfer through the box should work. I don't think you can go wrong with silica gel. This has kept my walk out basement shop here in Connecticut rust free for many years. Larger quantities can be found on Amazon, as it gets used in the firearms and telecomm industries. Here's an example at Amazon. Lee Valley sells little tins that are a bit pricier for the space they protect, but very convenient to place and bake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Amazon to the rescue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Interesting that yoi have had such success with silica gel. There have been many discussions over the use of silica gel in another hobby I dabble in, Geocaching. The problem there is that the cache containers are generally water tight, often air tight. However they are stashed away in an outdoor environment, and opened at varying intervals. A cache will include some sort of paper log book or sheet, which eventually turns into a soggy mess. Using silica gel has proven ineffective in most cases, because the cache owners find it impractical to refresh the gel as frequently as it become saturated. This led me to believe that maintaining the gel for the tool chest application would be somewhat impractical as well. I am glad to see evidence that it does work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Drying the gel periodically is key. to success. When I see one of my containers that has a color change indicator is changing, I round 'em all up, stick 'em in the oven, and put them back. In my location, it's seasonal. I need to dry them a few times in the late spring and early summer, and not at all the rest of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 If you do not want to use silica, try rice. Just keep it away from critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Just put a light coating of wax paste or boeshield on your planes. When you have finished using them for the day brush any dust from them then wipe them down with a cloth with wd40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 If you do not want to use silica, try rice. Just keep it away from critters. How do you know when it is done? In salt shakers it is used more for agitation and alton brown recomends unpopped popcorn as it will not clog the holes in the shaker. I wouldn't trust it to actually do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Trust or don't. I use rice. It is never "done" until it falls to pieces. I use rice in places where the law forbids me to use silica. I had forgotten it because the context is so very different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Where is it forbidden by law? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 I work with young kids. I cannot leave silica packs where they can reach it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Where is it forbidden by law? Red beans & rice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Trust or don't. I use rice. It is never "done" until it falls to pieces. I use rice in places where the law forbids me to use silica. I had forgotten it because the context is so very different. So it gets soft soggy and moldy? If not it isn't doing anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 http://lsl.usu.edu/files/Angela-Hayden-poster.pdf For getting moisture out of hearing aids this seems to show that a table top is better than rice, and actual desiccants are better yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 You can put your planes on the table. That is not a closed space though and closed spaces are the topic. Open air flow is always better. You could cut a computer case fan into the chest. I am merely offering a solution for enclosed spaces. It may not be the best option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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