Nice oil to leave on precision hand tools?

[SmallChange]

I got tired of the crummy combination squares from Lowes or Home Depot, pitched the last one into the trash, and bought a nice hardened cast steel one from Starrett. It's so nicely made, works so smoothly, and has such nice fit.

Tools like this sometimes acquire a light oil or grease film just from use, especially if they stay in a machine shop where everything acquires that film, but sometimes they wind up more stained and corroded looking, I guess from salt from the skin.

Is there a nice oil or grease to put a light film on tools like this, or calipers, or micrometers, and so on? I don't mean dripping off, just a very faint film that I'd refresh any time the tool gets cleaned.

I have "Fluid Film", which sounds like it's made of lanolin (a common skin treatment also), so maybe that would be good?

 

[WinterDeere]

I have all of my great-grandfather's Starrett and Brown and Sharpe machinists tools, which includes at least a dozen old combo squares, all early 1900's stuff, which he bought when he was a young machinist (b.1889). Back when my shop was in a basement, I used to just wipe them with a rag wetted with gun oil about once each year, the same stuff I wipe on my Brownings and Remingtons. Now that my shop is above ground and air-conditioned, I haven't put anything on them in 25 years. They develop a nice patina over time, which I guess is technically the same combination of oxides as rust, but it just leaves them a pleasant earthy hue without any ill-effects.

If I had new ones, and in a heated shop, I'm not sure I'd bother putting anything on them. If storage conditions are less ideal, pick up a squirt bottle of gun oil (eg. RemOil), wet a rag, and give it a wipe-down after each project. The goals and pitfalls of oiling guns match your concerns here, so I see gun oil as the ideal product for this job.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Spray with Double D Farty.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I use this on my tools prone to rust, and I've also used it for lubing m/c chains with great success. It isn't cheap, but a bottle of this will go a long way.

https://www.amazon.com/ACF-50-Anti-Corrosion-Lubricant-Formula-Bottle/dp/B00G42NR7G

 

[nyone]

Calipers and micrometers should be stainless. Even the cheap ones. Way oil is typicaly used on the beds of machines or just from general use cutting oil may be on the tools.

 

[WinterDeere]

Calipers and micrometers should be stainless. Even the cheap ones.

Ironically, my cheap ones are stainless. But my good vintage stuff from Starrett, Brown and Sharpe, and Athol Machine are not.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I've used MP metal protector from Amsoil for my small tools and especially the garden tools. Seems to keep the rust away and doesn't feel greasy to the touch. I see it's on backorder right now...

https://www.amsoil.com/c/general-purpose-cleaners-protectants/51/?zo=331384

 

[Duds13]

Ballistol

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

Eezox penetrating dry lubrication and barrier for corrosion prevention. But it ain't cheap.

 

[5030]

I own 2 Gerstner machinist tool boxes full of precision tools and other than controlling the humidity in the shop I wipe them with a lint free cloth with a little light machine oil on it.

 

[Erik M]

3 in 1 20 weight machine oil is all I use. Cheap and effective.

 

[YanmarFever]

Actually Mobil 1 synthetic oil in a quart bottle will do the job and last you a life time.

 

[David in KY]

Eezox penetrating dry lubrication and barrier for corrosion prevention. But it ain't cheap.

I will second this recommendation. Excellent product. I also happen to love the smell.

 

[5030]

Some precision tools like digital calipers for instance must be kept oil free or the oil will screw up the encoders.

 

[Tony H]

Hmm, I never bought one. I have my dads old stuff, metal scribe pushed up in the body. They as good as new. Tight, rust free. I never even looked at what China has to offer in our invasive Big Box stores

 

[5030]

Far as precision measuring tools... China has NOTHING I'm interested in.

 

[vagem55]

The Army has a very good manual that covers tools. TM 1-1500-204-9. It states to use mineral oil on unused tools. Also has instructions on how to use precision measuring devices. A pretty good reference for the DIYer who may not have experience buts wishes to learn.

That is an incredible reference. Thank you so much for this.

 

[RjCorazza]

Actually Mobil 1 synthetic oil in a quart bottle will do the job and last you a life time.

This is what my Father used on his machining tools, specifically 0w20. He was very particular about his tools and lathes.

 

[Ddh1961]

3 in 1 20 weight machine oil is all I use. Cheap and effective.

+1 for 3 in 1 oil. Been using it for years on my precision tools with zero problems. As mentioned, it’s cheap and effective.

 

[Monster5601]

I use Fluid Film or Deep Creep on my tools. I keep my precision measuring devices inside and away from the garage/workshop environment.