Rusting Tools!! NEED HELP PLEASE

[capi75rs]

I've noticed some of my tools: compound slider mider saw ( my main concern), a few other had tools are starting to rust. The saw is only 1 year old. I have them stored in a non climate controled shed, and unfortunitly I don't have an outdoor building designed for any type of climate control. The weather in Illinios is a mix of hot & humid to Bone chilling cold and lots of snow. Spirng and Fall is ususally moist with high humidity. Main question is how can I safely remove the rust and does anyone know of anything that I can apply to my tools to keep them from rusting? In a few years if the budget permits I'd like to build a new machine shed that will have heating/cooling system but for now it is not an option. Thanks

 

[Robert_in_NY]

It depends on what type of finish you have on your saws and tools as to how you can remove the rust but to prevent it in that situation you can coat the steel with a light oil like WD40. Then just wipe it off when you need to use the saw to cut any type of trim work. If you are just cutting wood that isn't going to be finished you don't even need to wipe it down.

 

[Scooby074]

LPS2 on the saw and any large items. Wipe down before use.

Planes hand tools can be protected by the use of emitters like these Emitters

Or storage bags like these http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=58755&cat=1,43326

Top cote is also good for equipment. Its more aimed at the woodworker. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=40952&cat=1,43415,43440

 

[capi75rs]

Robert in NY: So far the only blade I have for the saw is for framing. I will use the saw in a few months for trim work but have not purchased the proper blade as of yet. The main part that is rusting is the sliding arms on the saw itself and not the blade, sorry I didn't state that in original post. I've had problems with WD 40 not preventing rust and PB blaster eating the plastic on other items. Both work great for loosening rusted item. Thanks

 

[capi75rs]

LPS2 on the saw and any large items. Wipe down before use.

Planes hand tools can be protected by the use of emitters like these Emitters

Or storage bags like these Corrosion-Inhibiting Storage Bags - Lee Valley Tools

Top cote is also good for equipment. Its more aimed at the woodworker. TopCote® Table & Tool Surface Sealant - Lee Valley Tools

Scooby, the top cote is looking interesting, Have you used it before?

 

[alchemysa]

Don't store tools in a shed with pool or spa chlorine. They seem to rust quicker.

 

[Western]

I've had good luck with "break-free", I get it generally at wally world

 

[SpringHollow]

Top coat works well on my table saw for quite a while. WD40 is not the best. There are special anti-corrosion oils that are light weight like wd40 - look in msc Industrial Supply Equipment from MSC Industrial Supply You need to spray with a regular frequency.

Fluid film has worked on some of my farm stuff stored outside - not perfect but works pretty well. But it is thicker.

If you do spray with oil, i would wipe down the rails before use to help minimize having dirt stick to it.

Ken

 

[studor]

I use a couple of products but have found Fluid Film to be the best so far. WD-40 can be used as a wipe after use and seems to prevent pesky fingerprint rust. For the longer term stuff resulting from condensation I wipe it with Fluid Film after a guy who rebuilds cast iron cook stoves told me it was the best product he had found to stop rust on stoves he had stored in unheated conditions. It seems to stop rust from re occuring on chromed surfaces you need to get one of the rust stop products -- otherwise it just seems to keep going under treatments like WD40 etc.
regards

 

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin capi,
Im with Scobby, I suggest LPS spray also its better at displacing moisture than WD 40 !

To remove light surface rust, get some Scotch Brite pads, either gray or red pads. Spray the effected surface lightly with LPS and the pad also and lightly rub in the same direction.

I had some similar problems with my cast iron tools , table saw joiner planer etc in my basement until I fixed my water problems down there ! The LPS and Scotchbrite pads did the trick for me !

 

[PILOON]

On cast iron surfaces like table saws; floor paste wax is great, actually good on any steel surfaces. (real wax, not liquid 'floor finishes' or also canning wax)
Lots of planeing mills use it as fresh wood has high moisture content.

And I DO find WD40 works for my other things like nail guns etc, I liberally spray all the small moving parts and glides etc.

Mechanics generally wipe their tools with a lightly oiled rag and that seems to help.

 

[scott_vt]

On cast iron surfaces like table saws; floor paste wax is great, actually good on any steel surfaces. (real wax, not liquid 'floor finishes' or also canning wax)
Lots of planeing mills use it as fresh wood has high moisture content.

.

Good Mornin Piloon,
Thats also a very good suggestion, I have used Butchers Wax on my cast surfaces, it not only protects but the wood slides much easier across the surfaces !

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby, the top cote is looking interesting, Have you used it before?

I have hands on with everything except the TopCoat. I posted it as a recommendation from some woodworking forums i visit. It gets great reviews. My Tablesaw doesnt have a cast iron top so corrosion isnt an issue for it. I use the LPS on the trunions of the tablesaw and slides on my mitre saw if they're going into storage.

 

[Pilot]

I would be concerned about parts you can't get to or see very well--internal parts. Can you fit your miter saw in a plastic trash bag? If so, you can go to a craft store and buy a pound or so of silica gel, put it in a paper bag, put the bag inside the trash bag with your saw and seal it. Get the kind of silica gel with the indicator crystals that turn pink when they have absorbed moisture, blue when dry. When they are pink, let your oven warm to 250, shut it off & put the crystals in the oven in a pan for a couple hours to dry them out.

If it won't fit in a trash bag, maybe buy a 9' X 12' 4 or 6 mil drop cloth, wrap the saw in that with the silica gel & seal it all as well as you can.

Not as simple as a spray, but you will protect all the parts.

 

[kenmac]

I've had good luck with this product...........Automotive and Industrial Lubricant/Corrosion Prevention - Fluid Film

 

[JoyJack]

I would be careful using WD40 or any of those type sprays. Most contain silicone, which will wreak havoc on wood surfaces when you try to put your finish on.

You didn't say if the slides and saw top were cast or aluminum. As mentioned, use a paste floor wax on your cast iron. Johnson's floor wax is high in carnuba wax, that is good for protecting the surface and won't interfere with wood finishes.

All that said, if you use or used an oil/silicone based cleaner, you can wipe it down with mineral spirits/alcohol to remove the oil/silicone, then immediately apply the paste wax and buff.

Hope this helps.

JJ

 

[Skyco]

WD40 doesn't have silicones but it isn't a decent rust preventer either in my experience.
I've used Fluid Film and it is decent for some things. I spray the underside of my truck and some of my trailers with it yearly.
LPS3 is very good, but expensive.
I had a similar rust experience a few years back with the slide rods on a radial arm saw under my shed. The rods rusted and now the trolley movement is real rough. Gonna have to replace the rods someday, saw is a 40 yr old Craftsman so I doubt I can get OEM replacements.

 

[studor]

I have used Top Cote on cast iron table saws and it works really well for smoothing the surface. I have also used it on planer tables but have never thought about using it as a lubricant and rust preventative on pieces that don't come in contact with the wood -- just frugal I guess.

 

[capi75rs]

I've had good luck with this product...........Automotive and Industrial Lubricant/Corrosion Prevention - Fluid Film

Looks like a great possiblility. I've got some great options to go through. Thanks everyone.

 

[moeh1]

I use paste wax as well, an ultra-fine steel wool applicator takes off surface rust nicely. My woodworking friend swears by Boeshield. It was developed by Boeing for aircraft corrosion prevention. I've even seen it for sale at Sears but it is pricey....