Long-term stationary tool storage

[mark mcfarlane]

Hi, I'm Mark. I've been lurking here for a while.

I recently purchased a home in the humid southern USA (Gulf coast area), but it has one serious problem, the garage is devoid of tools.

I'm a little concerned about buying new stationary tools and dealing with rust, or having other problems due to lack of use (for various reasons I wont have much woodworking time over the next 5 years, maybe a 3-4 weeks each year). I had problems before with my old table saw in the days of yore when I lived in Houston.

To control surface rust, is paste wax on all the unpainted surfaces appropriate, and enough protection for this climate? I'd hate to treat the cast pieces with anything that needs a day of cleaning everytime I return to the shop.

Anything else I should worry about for long-term storage, e.g. belt rot?

Another options is to hold out for another year or two to equip the shop, and spend my free time golfing, but reading this forum has me pretty hyped to start building...

I'll have a few more questions in the coming weeks as I work out my tool shopping list.

Thanks,

[dave toney]

I have some machines that I use infrequently and have found that covering the top with polyethylene (after waxing)and taping the edges down good to keep moist air from condensing on the surfaces does a pretty good job of keeping rust from forming.
Dave

[Richard Amabile]

Mark:

I live in the Houston area and had the issue of rust myself. After cleaning the rust off a few times (days of work) I finally got smart when I purchased a new machine and it started to rust in a week or two. I installed a dehumidifier in the garage workshop. I keep it running all the time and run a hose out of the corner of the garage door to get rid of the water. As long the workshop is reasonalby well insulated and closed up, a good dehumidifier should work fine. I have a large two car garage that I use for woodworking and since installing the dehumidifier the tools rarely have any rust. I do put past wax on them and if I am not going to use them for a long time (a month or so) I go out and check them to put another coat of wax on them. I don't know if it will work for you. But, it was a tremendous help for me.

[Curt Putnam]

My stuff sat in an unheated garage, unused for 4 years. When I started using stuff again, there was no rust. None, Nada, Zero All I did was to spray the metal surfaces with Corrosion-X. Strongly recommended. YMMV

http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx-heavy-duty.html

[mark mcfarlane]

How slippery is Corrosion-X? Do you clean it off before using the tool?

[mark mcfarlane]

Mark:

... I installed a dehumidifier in the garage workshop...

I guess I could water the flower garden this way. An interesting idea with other practical working benefits, thanks Richard. But in south Texas that dehumidifier would run 24*7 for a lot of the year.

[mickey cassiba]

For long term storage, I use a paper product which is impregnated with a corrosion inhibitor. Uline sells a pretty affordable version of this. Part number is S-7054. I usually apply it with a light coat of spray lubricant, I use a Mystic product(the red stuff), but any easily cleaned stuff is good. The key is to cover all unpainted surfaces, and touch up all places that used to have paint, but do not now. This method has worked for me for years...we used it at Delta, Black and Decker, and I use it on my own tools currently in storage. And I too am in South Texas. Just about as south as you can get.
Mick

[Jim Matthews]

If your tools sit directly on the concrete slab, they will draw moisture up into the works.
If you can place a vapor barrier directly below each machine, this migration will be reduced (but not stopped).

I would suggest you consider buying a bandsaw for most jobs, and get a track saw to break down large panels.
Most of us think a table saw is required to make furniture - it's not.

[Mark Blatter]

I have found a great way to avoid the rust from humid air. I don't think there is a better way. No product sold will perform as well, yet it is pretty cheap. In fifty years I have never had this not work.

Live in the west where it is dry......

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Mark

[mickey cassiba]

I have found a great way to avoid the rust from humid air. I don't think there is a better way. No product sold will perform as well, yet it is pretty cheap. In fifty years I have never had this not work.

Live in the west where it is dry......

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Mark
Mark...I have to admit that that is the best rust preventative. My father bought a bit of the western Arizona desert...about 5 acres near the California and Mexican Border, nearly as remote as you can get. There are old vehicles littering the desert down there...sandblasted, what glass remains is frosted from the blowing gravel and sand, and not a speck of rust.

[John Lifer]

I'm from central MS and you don't get much more humid than here. There is nothing that will entirely prevent rust. Even in best of circumstances, you get a patina not machine killing rust. I wax all my machines and if colder weather is coming thru, cover to prevent surface condensation.

[mark mcfarlane]

For long term storage, I use a paper product which is impregnated with a corrosion inhibitor. Uline sells a pretty affordable version of this. Part number is S-7054. I usually apply it with a light coat of spray lubricant, I use a Mystic product(the red stuff), but any easily cleaned stuff is good. The key is to cover all unpainted surfaces, and touch up all places that used to have paint, but do not now. This method has worked for me for years...we used it at Delta, Black and Decker, and I use it on my own tools currently in storage. And I too am in South Texas. Just about as south as you can get.
Mick

Thanks Mick, interesting stuff. $99 for a lifetime supply (200 yds). Do you spray a lubricant on the surface , then cover with the paper, press it down to the lube, and tape it in place?

[Frank Drew]

Most of us think a table saw is required to make furniture - it's not. Quite true, no machine is required to make furniture, but some machines make the process much easier, and certainly less time consuming.

As for rust, in addition to the recommendations for dehumidification and barriers, air movement, such as from a ceiling fan, is also said to inhibit it. I wish I'd left mine on when I was out of my shop for an extended period.

[Myk Rian]

To answer your question, furniture paste wax is OK to use. You don't want anything with silicone, such as auto wax.
I also put HTC machine covers on my machines.

[mark mcfarlane]

Thanks everyone for the wealth of ideas. In summary, suggestions so far are:

- Coat in furniture paste wax
- Cover with plastic, tape edges (to inhibit surface condensation)
- Coat with lubricant (Mystic red stuff) and cover with a Uline VCI anti-rust paper (http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-7054/VCI-Products/36-x-200-yards-Industrial-VCI-Anti-Rust-Paper), #S-7054, $99 for a 200 yard * 36" roll.
- Install a shop dehumidifier
- Coat with Corrosion-X ($17 for 16 oz spray can (http://www.shop.corrosiontechcorp.com/CorrosionX_c2.htm))
- Run a ceiling fan
- Put a vapor barrier under the machine
- Move from South Texas to Western Arizona

I still haven't heard if Corrosion-X leaves a workable surface (slick, non-wood-staining), anyone know the answer?

Is the Mystic Red stuff the JT-6 grease? Sounds like a good anti-rust solution but cleanup would be a bear...

[mickey cassiba]

Thanks Mick, interesting stuff. $99 for a lifetime supply (200 yds). Do you spray a lubricant on the surface , then cover with the paper, press it down to the lube, and tape it in place? Yes sir...but it's probably not what your after...I just realized that you are intending to use occasionally. Long term storage, at least to me, is like my old machine tools in storage for the last six years, and probably a few more to come.

[Brian Kincaid]

...
- Coat in furniture paste wax
- Run a ceiling fan


I use Renaissance wax (yes it is expensive, but it lasts 10x as long for me). I have a box fan hanging from the ceiling that runs on medium 24x7. When I swap air filters in my home AC I take the old one and tape it to the back of the fan. These items have GREATLY improved rust issues. I still clean and wax the iron every now and then, but it is more like every 6 months, not every 2 weeks.

-Brian

[Ray DuBose]

I'm in Memphis TN where humidity is a way of life here, I keep Johnsons Past wax on all my surfaces and wipe them back down, haven't had any issues. My fear is my 3 kids that love to use to much toilet paper and tend to back up the toilet every so often upstairs. Apparently the waters path of least resistance is the middle of the garage light fixture which is right over my Hammer K3 Sliding Table Saw. I guess I'm going to have to just make a cover to keep on it but worried it may trap moisture under it if it's water proof.

[Will Rowland]

I had to store my Unisaw in Houston, outside under a tarp (but under a carport) for about 6 months as I built my new shop. I drenched the Uni in Boeshield T-9 (I didn't wipe it off, just let it dry as-is). I had zero rust issues on the parts that were coated with Boeshield.

In my shop now, on all my equipment I spray on Boeshield, wipe it off, and then put down a coat of paste wax. I also a dehumidifier and have had absolutely no rust/corrosion issues.

[mark mcfarlane]

An updated summary, suggestions so far are:

- Coat in furniture paste wax (Johnsons Paste Wax or Renaissance Wax ($30/7oz)
- Cover with plastic, tape edges (to inhibit surface condensation)
- Coat with lubricant (Mystic red stuff) and cover with a Uline VCI anti-rust paper, #S-7054, $99 for a 200 yard * 36" roll.
- Install a shop dehumidifier
- Coat with Corrosion-X ($17 for 16 oz spray can)
- Drench with Boeshield T-9, don't wipe off for long term storage
- Run a ceiling fan or hang a box fan with used house filter behind it
- Put a vapor barrier under the machine
- Move from South Texas to Western Arizona

I still haven't heard if Corrosion-X leaves a workable surface (slick, non-wood-staining), anyone know the answer?

Is the Mystic Red stuff the JT-6 grease? Sounds like a good anti-rust solution but cleanup would be a bear...