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Storing all of my tools for the humid summer
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:20 pm
by meathook
I am looking for advice on stroing my 520 as well as all of my large tools for the duration of a moist Ohio summer. My shop is heated AND air conditioned, but this summer I need to make room for a bus to be rebuilt. Should I just spray everything with WD-40? Should i wipe everything down with motor oil or something similar? If similar, what should I use? Should I caver everything with plastic after spraying/wiping it down?
The 520, and seperate (non-SS) cast iron bandsaw, table saw, drill press, planer, jointer, and radial arm saw will be put in a steel self storage unit with an insulated roof for 8 -14 months. The storage unit is water tight, but not climate controlled, and we often have hunidity of + 90%
I am hoping to use something that will protect the ways and table tops, yet be not messy, and be easy to remove.
Thank You!
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:34 pm
by JPG
meathook wrote:I am looking for advice on stroing my 520 as well as all of my large tools for the duration of a moist Ohio summer. My shop is heated AND air conditioned, but this summer I need to make room for a bus to be rebuilt. Should I just spray everything with WD-40? Should i wipe everything down with motor oil or something similar? If similar, what should I use? Should I caver everything with plastic after spraying/wiping it down?
The 520, and seperate (non-SS) cast iron bandsaw, table saw, drill press, planer, jointer, and radial arm saw will be put in a steel self storage unit with an insulated roof for 8 -14 months. The storage unit is water tight, but not climate controlled, and we often have hunidity of + 90%
I am hoping to use something that will protect the ways and table tops, yet be not messy, and be easy to remove.
Thank You!
Johnson's wax, Johnson's wax, Johnson's wax
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:40 pm
by tnerb
The yellow can with the red stripe.
Brent
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:44 pm
by meathook
JPG40504 wrote:Johnson's wax, Johnson's wax, Johnson's wax
I am not sure if I follow you - Do you mean a wax that is manufactured by Johnson?
Just kidding, Thank You so much!!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:54 pm
by beeg
Don't buff the wax, just apply it. Then storage time.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:47 am
by 8iowa
I've used Johnson's past wax since I purchased my MK V back in '83. The metal is still bright.
That said, for your precision tools, combination square, ect., don't put them away with your fingerprints on them. Wipe them with a rag "wetted" with one of the aerosol water displacing solvents and place them on a surface that will not absorb moisture.
Ventilation is good, keep a small fan running. I have a bag of Rem Dri in my gun safe. It absorbs moisture in a small area like a tool cabinet. It can be re-generated in your oven.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:20 am
by dusty
I am sorry but I just do not understand the concept of putting my tools away unless I am not going to be there for an extended period. Example: When I was "committed" to the nursing home a few years ago, I cleaned and oiled everything and put all the dust covers in place. The idea of doing that just because it is the season to get hot and humid escapes me!
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/85704
Yes, the humidity is only 25° now but that will change soon (two months).
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:21 am
by dlbristol
Meathook. I would be happy to store them for you. Colorado humidity is never much higher than 15%. For the summer, I would store for the use of the tools! I have lots of Johnson's wax on hand. You pay shipping both ways, of course.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:31 am
by meathook
dusty wrote:I am sorry but I just do not understand the concept of putting my tools away unless I am not going to be there for an extended period. Example: When I was "committed" to the nursing home a few years ago, I cleaned and oiled everything and put all the dust covers in place. The idea of doing that just because it is the season to get hot and humid escapes me!
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/85704
Yes, the humidity is only 25° now but that will change soon (two months).
Well my friend, in my post I explained that I needed to make room in my shop for a bus to be rebuilt, so I am not storing my equipment "just because it is the season to get hot and humid".
My 1,600 sq ft shop is kept at 68 degrees in the winter, and 74 in the summer, so my tools have NEVER been exposed to huge temperature or humidity variations. Like most of the members here I have invested a lot of money in my tools, and I respect and take care of them, so I simply want to take a few steps to protect them until the bus project is completed.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:48 am
by dusty
meathook wrote:Well my friend, in my post I explained that I needed to make room in my shop for a bus to be rebuilt, so I am not storing my equipment "just because it is the season to get hot and humid".
My 1,600 sq ft shop is kept at 68 degrees in the winter, and 74 in the summer, so my tools have NEVER been exposed to huge temperature or humidity variations. Like most of the members here I have invested a lot of money in my tools, and I respect and take care of them, so I simply want to take a few steps to protect them until the bus project is completed.
Yes, I caught that but....I still do not understand the concept of putting my tools away for an extended period of time - bus or no bus.
No offense intended!