Shop rust prevention

[Pacific Ocean (Guest)]

I have been building up my supply of tools in my shop. However, some of them have already began to rust even after applying paste wax. I think it is mainly because I live so close to the Pacific Ocean. I remember reading something in a "WOOD" magazine about dehumidifying the shop and placing some type of moisture condensing chemical/material near or under the powertools. Does anyone know what this material is? Or do you have a better idea to prevent moisture from collecting in my shop?

[Chris Moore]

I keep bags of silica gel in the drawers and cases holding my hand tools and small power tools. You can get them online, or, better yet, buddy up to someone that works at a place like Pier 1 or Sears. Some furniture and most electronics come with a bag in the box. They just discard them when they assemble the furniture for display or sale. Every so often "recharge" the gel by placing the bags for a few hours in the hot sun, on a heating pad, or -my technique- on top of the water heater.

Chris Moore
Montgomery, AL

"... and remember. There is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses."

[Limey (Guest)]

Just an add on.
Silica Gel invariably comes in a porous paper wrap so checking that there aren't any metal staples a tip from a clime where the sun don't shine (that often) Hot water is for wimps! nothing wrong with a bracing cold shower to start the day and keep the hormones at bay!
And a heat pad , never heard of it!!!
Sorry Chris I'm not ragging you too bad I hope......


You could zap it in the Micowave for about 30 secs. All you are doing is driving of the moisture that the crystals have absorbed.
They absorb it because the Equilibrium Relative Humidity (ERH) is ....Oh never mind you don't need to know all that.
If you are really cheap like me you can leave them in the oven after cookings over. Make sure you remember them next time you switch the oven on otherwise............DAMHIKT.

Cheers Limey

[Chris Moore]

>Just an add on. Silica Gel invariably comes in a
> porous paper wrap so checking that there aren't any
>metal staples a tip from a clime where the sun
>don't shine (that often) Hot water is for wimps! nothing
>wrong with a bracing cold shower to start the day
>and keep the hormones at bay!
>And a heat pad , never heard of it!!!
>Sorry Chris I'm not ragging you too bad I hope......
>
>You could zap it in the Micowave for about 30 secs.
>All you are doing is driving of the moisture that
>the crystals have absorbed.
>If you are really cheap like me you can leave them
>in the oven after cookings over. Make sure you remember
>them next time you switch the oven on >otherwise............DAMHIKT.

I spent a lot of time in the UK. Never did get used to the cold and having to remember to turn on the water heater so I could take a shower. That and the fact that apparently it is a law that all the food must be boiled until all taste is removed, and the warm beer... Well, it made me appreciate living here in the the source of all humidity in the universe; although, last August when it was 104 AND raining even my patience was tested.

Be careful with microwaving the bags. I ended up with exploding crystals. I started to suggest that you could leave them in an oven with the pilot light to warm it. Then it occured to me that new gas ovens don't have pilot lights. GAWD, I hate this getting old... Turned 42 today. ~sob~

Chris Moore
Montgomery, AL

"... and remember. There is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses."

[DustyBob]

Don't start complaining about getting old for a few more years. You'll understand what I mean in about 10 years! :D :D
I hope your birthday presents are all heavy metal that make lots of dust!


Bob
http://pages.zdnet.com/bjlex/bobsdustbin/

[Chris Moore]

Thank you. And so far they have.

Chris Moore
Montgomery, AL

"... and remember. There is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses."

[Sonny Edmonds]

...Move the hell inland.
Your car is probably rotting as well.
Ya best use water proof glue on everything. Gorilly wants moisture to react.
Say....
Maybe I could put it on at my house and bring it to yours for 24 hours.
Naw, never mind...it'd probably take a week for the wood to dry back out.

In order to dehumidify, you might as well try and dry up the ocean. Good luck!

:D

Sonny
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America

[Jules]

Oh that's just great Bob! Exactly what he needs at that age... a heavy metal band! Chris, I suggest you try something a little softer and lighter, like Muzak! :)

Many belated Happy Birthday greetings.

Cheers, Jules

[Chris Moore]

>Exactly what he needs at that age... a heavy metal
>band! Chris, I suggest you try something a little softer
>and lighter, like Muzak! :)
>
>Many belated Happy Birthday greetings.
>
>Cheers, Jules

I'll have you know that at one time in my sordid past I managed an honest-to-god, green-spiked-mohawk wearing, safety-pinned-pierced PUNK band. Now, to be honest, I did just stand in backstage in an Italian suit and oh-so-dark shades waiting for a groupie or groupie wannabe to come up and say, "Are you REALLY the band manager?"

Thank you for the b'day wishes.

Chris Moore
Montgomery, AL

"... and remember. There is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses."

[Scott Pacific Ocean (Guest)]

Thanks for all the advise and the humor. I think I will move inland my car is rotting away also. How about a good product other than paste wax to put on my tools surfaces.