Rust Prevention for Your Tools
It is much easier to protect your tools from rust than to deal with the consequences
of rusty tools later. You have three main choices in protecting your tools from rust:
Apply a protective coating, reduce the moisture level, or use a rust-inhibiting
vapor.
Protective coatings
Protective coatings for rust prevention are very common and come in many different forms. Many parts and tools are painted to prevent rust. Unfortunately,
painted surfaces are sometimes not practical for tools that require a machined
surface. For this reason, I recommend some type of thin barrier for your tools.
Over the years, people have tried everything from oils to waxes with varied success.
With the high value of many power tools, specialty rust-preventing products are
now designed to serve the single purpose of keeping your tools free from rust.
We recommend Boeshield T-9 for tools such as drill presses, table saws, band
saws, jointers and planers.
Moisture Reduction
Reducing the moisture level around your tools can significantly reduce the
chances of rust forming on your tools. If your tools are in a particularly damp
part of your shop or home, moving the tools to another location is often the
most effective rust deterrent. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, since
garages and basements are often the only places where tools are stored and used.
We've found a product that can work well if you keep your tools in a toolbox
or in a drawer. These rechargeable silica gel desiccants absorb excess moisture and reduce the humidity level in enclosed areas. Select from five different sizes depending on the size of the area to be protected. This is most effective with hand tools or other small tools. This
method does not apply any coating on your tools.
Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors
The last method of rust protection is using rust-inhibiting vapors. This method , often called VCI,
is often used by industry for packaging metal products. We carry a line of vapor corrosion inhibitors that work well if your tools are stored in some type of enclosure.
The type of protection you choose depends on your situation. It is always better to prevent rust than deal with the consequences later.