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I am hoping someone will have some solutions to help me with the rust issue.
I have jewelers tools that I keep inside in a zipped case, but use them a lot, so the rust has creeped onto them. These are real small tools (tiny chain nose, needle nose, flat nose pliers and tiny nippers, etc. I have tried spraying WD40 but it gets all over the jewelry which is a mess and hard to get back off. How do you get the rust off the tools and how do you keep it off the tools?
The other rust issue is on my dremmel tool. the collet and adjustable bit holder thingy are rusted together. I can't change the bits because it is rusted. Any advice on how to get this loose?
I used these same tools for 9 years in my studio right on the Washington coast. There was plenty of blowing sea water and spray, but the difference seems to be the nights when the windows were closed and the cool days with the wood stove. Both of these helped dry out the tools I guess. Here in Hawaii I have been using these tools just over a year and they are rusted badly. I have the windows open all the time. some are just screens. Some are never closed, so I guess there is no drying out.
I have some of the tools that just stay out on the work bench since I use them all the time. How do others deal with this tool issue and rust? For someone who is using these daily the option to put them away every night is a pain. That's why I have a studio, to leave them out and not have to pick up when I am done for the day. HELP please.
THANKS.
hawaiideborah
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Deborah; I clean minor rust spots from tools using Tri-Flow and 2-
00 steel wool, then wipe down with Tri-Flow. It inhibits rust on my tools that stay on my work bench in my garage. WD-40 is fish oil based and has never done a very good job for me on inhibitibg rust.
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
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I have always used an electric wire wheel for tools. The one I have is too big for jewelers tools but there should be a smaller version available.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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There is a product called Boeshield that was developed by Boeing that really works well to prevent rust. The drawback is that it is EXPENSIVE! I saw a display in Home Depot 2 days ago, right by the entrance. A 14 Oz spray can of Boeshield and a bottle of rust remover for $27.00. You can find it for half that on the web, but since it is a spray, you might find it expensive to ship..
I can't vouch for the rust remover but the Boeshield works great on tools, etc. My dad used it for his table saw and jointer tables which were raw cast iron. It kept them rust free until the workpieces wore it off.
Second the Tri-flow ... Get the drip bottle not the spray. Shoot some in your door locks when you have it out too.
aloha,
pog
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Hands down the best stuff on earth is a product called Corrosion Block. I have tried everything and this stuff WORKS. It will keep stuff from rusting and clean up already rusted tools. I have only found one place on island (Alumside) that sells it but they are actually cheaper there then on Amazon so no complaints. Once you use it you will never use anything else again!!
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If you are storing the tools in a sealed bag, why don't you toss some silica gel packets in there? It would remove all the moisture from the tools and the inside of the sealed bag. You can get 20 of them for under $5.00 with free shipping at amazon. You can also readily find information on the internet how to re-use them once they are saturated by baking them in the oven. I've used silica gel packs on ancient roman coins and it is effective. I would think if it works on 2,000 year old metal it should work on your tools.
Olive oil has been used as a rust inhibitor since ancient times. I don't know how well it would work in your situation but it is probably harmless to try it. I know on ancient coins the cheaper, greener oil is preferred for breaking up corrosion while the extra extra virgin oil is preferred for prevention. I know it does a good job of keeping our cast iron cookware rust free.
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Thank you so much for the suggestions.
I am going to get some Tri flow just to have around the house and am going to compare the stuff at HD with the Alumside stuff.
Sounds like there are answers for this problem.
As far as the silica gels: I keep the tools in a jeweler's tool case, it is zippered fake leather. Not sealed in a zip lock bag, but I could switch and sounds like that would be a good idea for the files and tools I am not using all the time rather than leaving them out on the workbench.
Do you have any suggestions of how to get the bit holder thingy unrusted from the screw on the dremmel tool? do you think one of the products would work for something already rusted on?
THANK YOU very much for your suggestions.
hawaiideborah
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As far getting the thing unrusted, I know that mechanics use striking and/or heat to free rusted components, however in your application it sounds like it would damage the dremel. My dad used to spray stuff with wd-40 and let it sit (at least overnight) until the rust had softened. I tested that technique on ancient coins. It worked, but it also destroyed the patina.
Your tools sound expensive. Worst case scenerio is you have to consider modifying the environment with an a/c or dehumidifier.
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I have seen a small toolbox at HPM that has some substance in it which prevents rust on anything stored inside. I think there may have also been a separate block of this stuff you could put in any container. It doesn't absorb moisture like silica packets, it just prevents rust formation.
