Camphor Tablets

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:07 pm

A while back, Drew recommended placing camphor tablets on the cast iron tables of your tools. The camphor causes a film to form on the cast iron reducing the chance of rust.

Drew recommended going to your local drug store to purchase camphor. Unfortuntely, our local drug store does not carry camphor.

I checked on ebay, and there are various companies selling camphor and synthetic camphor.

My question is, will synthetic camphor work as well as "natural" camphor?

Thanks for any input anyone is willing to provide me.

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:36 pm

I thought he used moth balls. But I just learned there can be a difference. Check it out:
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/c ... m99497.htm

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:20 pm

Synthetic camphor or "tar camphor" is made from coal tars and is more commonly known as napthalene (C10H8) . More recently para-dichlorobenzene (C6H4Cl2) has been substituted for napthalene, particularly in moth balls. Both natural camphor (C10H16O) and naphthalene can be used for rust prevention. Napthalene, however is a good deal more toxic than camphor and is known to cause the degeneration of red blood cells. Whether or not para-dichlorobenzene will inhibit rust is less clear; it is used mostly as a deodorant, disinfectant, and pesticide.

With all good wishes,

psf513 · Post by **psf513** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:19 am

Preuming that Nick is correct (which he usually is), at least the tools will smell good if the stuff is used in deodorants:D

BigSky · Post by **BigSky** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:35 am

Unless it makes all your tools smell like a pesticide!!:eek:

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:12 am

Yes smell good but what about your tools well being. If it kills red blood cells it can't be good for the health of your tools.

Ed

bw1 · Post by **bw1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:38 pm

I have tryed Slipit woodworker's sliding compound and have found that I don't have any rust and it can be cleaned up with water and will not stine anything.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:38 pm

bw1 wrote:I have tryed Slipit woodworker's sliding compound and have found that I don't have any rust and it can be cleaned up with water and will not stine anything.

bw1,
Maybe I am in the minority here, but I have knot heard of Slipit. It sounds intriguing. Thanks for the tip.

majorducat · Post by **majorducat** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:52 pm

I am the newbie here on the forum. But I have had my shopsmith for over thirty years and it still works like new.
I used to buy the one pound box of 1 ounce camphor tablets from Shopsmith.
Does anyone know the best place to get them again. I will try Rockler. I believe I bought my last box from them. The wrapped tablets have a great shelf life. As long as the cellophane is intact they last years. When it is time to replace a spent tablet I just slite the top of a new one and place it in the drawer.
I am down to my last tablet. Please help.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:04 pm

majorducat wrote:I am the newbie here on the forum. But I have had my shopsmith for over thirty years and it still works like new.
I used to buy the one pound box of 1 ounce camphor tablets from Shopsmith.
Does anyone know the best place to get them again. I will try Rockler. I believe I bought my last box from them. The wrapped tablets have a great shelf life. As long as the cellophane is intact they last years. When it is time to replace a spent tablet I just slite the top of a new one and place it in the drawer.
I am down to my last tablet. Please help.

Inquire at a local machine shop where they get theirs.

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