Corrosive

[Tom Winship]

I recently built an open cabinet for my handplanes out of oak. After not usiing them for a couple of months, I started to yesterday and noticed that the bottoms and sides were covered in rust. It wouldn't have surprised me except I have kept them in the same workshop for several years sitting on a plywood shelf.
Is oak (white) corrosive?

[Howard Acheson]

Did you apply any finish? Sounds like the moisture in the wood is reacting with the metal in the planes to cause the rust.

Yes, metal in contact with oak causes problems due to the tannin in oak.

I would put a good film finish on the oak. Use a coat of dewaxed shellac which is very moisture resistant and then a couple of coats of varnish or poly varnish. Let it fully cure for 3-4 weeks.

[Tom Winship]

No, I didn't seal the oak. Thanks for the tip. What also was surprising was that they rusted not only on the bottom, but up the sides also.