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Tool/machine tips

Morse

Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
679
Location
Cheshire. UK
First Name
Dave
Now the winters are starting to draw in and some of us don't have the luxury of heated workshops, I
was thinking again of how to protect my tools and machines from the dreaded rust.
Over the year I've regularly waxed or oiled my tools, more to keep clean and protect.
Like the tapers on the mandrels, Jacobs chuck etc. We're not supposed to oil the tapers,as they are friction fit,
so how best to protect them?
What are your views ?

Dave
 
Last edited:

fortress

Registered
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
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5,178
Location
Astley
First Name
John
There are plenty of small electric heaters available, also gas or Paraffin. What did you do last winter Dave? :thinks:
 

Morse

Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
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679
Location
Cheshire. UK
First Name
Dave
John.
Can't remember it being that bad.
I have been building up my workshop since.
My tools were stored in a "warmish garage" they are now in a cold shed. Hence the oil and wax over the past year.

Dave
 

Ray7756

Full Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2017
Posts
198
Location
Kirkmichael Scotland
First Name
Ray
Do NOT use a parafin heater, burning parafin produces water, use electric, or if you can fit a wood burner in your workshop, thats what I am planining when I get the workshop built
Cheers
Ray
 

Morse

Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
679
Location
Cheshire. UK
First Name
Dave
Ray.
You wood (yep, trying to be funny) need a wood burner up there in Scotland ��������������

Dave
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Best way for me especially on the table saw cast iron was to use the thinnest smear of Magnolia Oil. If you use too much moisture forms under it.Great on the lathe bed ,tools etc. Love idea of the totes on the video.

Peter.
 

pittswood

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Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1,251
Location
Rhigos, South Wales
First Name
Kelvin
Hi Dave,
I always use Liberon lubrication wax. Wipe it on and let it dry. I use this on all my other tools, lathe beds, planer, chisels, hand planes etc; even on morse tapers, just wipe with your hand before use.
Kelvin
 

Frederick

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Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hello Dave

I am in the same boat as you. I wax, PTFE all beds and have been known to 3in1 oil everything. I do oil MT's but wipe the tool vigorously before use. I think it's the only way. I don't use TPFE or on tapers as it is harder to remove. Not had any trouble yet, but that's not to say that I ain't gonna get any. Time will tell. It would be nice to have a very low heat in the WS and I have tried an oil heater it but it's just too expensive.

I thought of using Propane gas burners on a when needed basis but have been advised not to because this fuel produces condensation and the constant fluctuations in temperature increases the chances of condensate on cast iron beds etc. I just love Winter........sometimes.

All the best
Frederick
 

Penpal

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May 26, 2013
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Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
WE have just passed through quite a drought with less rain in the future for this year that has helped with rust this last winter. All the best for yours,constant vigilance pays.

Peter.
 

Lons

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Dec 17, 2013
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Northumberland
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Bob
I also use wax including the morse tapers but I give the tapers a quick clean with rubbing alcohol before use, that strips the wax easily.
 

Penpal

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A good friend used WD40 all the time on his wood lathe etc,never a slip on the rail locking and he turned massive bowls and platters . His machines looked like new.

Peter.
 

Gregory Hardy

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Joined
Jul 7, 2017
Posts
454
Location
Upper New York State
First Name
Greg
Not sure about availability there (or elsewhere), but her in the Colonies, we have a product called WD-40. Thin spray oil. (Don't cook with it, please.) Tools that are going into cold storage for me get lightly sprayed and put in a plastic tote. When it's time to use, a simple quick wipe down and ready.
(And maybe spray canola cooking oil would work too, but I would save that for cooking.)
 

bigbob

Graduate Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Posts
557
Location
Inverness
First Name
Bob
I noticed a lot less rust on tools after I insulated my shed with bubble wrap with foil in it seems to keep a lot of the moisture away plus the shed is easier to heat and does not use as much electricity. As a bonus on the very rare occasions that we get hot weather up in the Highlands it keeps the shed cool. I use a combination of stuff to protect my tools usually paste wax once the surfaces have been cleaned with WD40 and a window scraper. On my dovetail and Japanese saws plus chisels and planes I use the oil in a can method as suggested by Paul Sellars vid below: -

How to make a Rag-in-a-can Oiler | Paul Sellers - YouTube
 

21William

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Jan 21, 2016
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Dorset
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William
I sprayed WD40 on my milling machine table, two weeks later and it was covered with rust. Never again.
 

bigbob

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Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Posts
557
Location
Inverness
First Name
Bob
Hi William I think WD40 is good at initially clearing rust but you do need another coating of wax or something to stop the moisture getting on the surface. I have used white spirit to good effect to clean the rust before, but you still need to put an extra layer on even if it car polish. If it is a one stop spray on solution like WD40 you want the only one I have used which is very good is ACF 50 but it is very expensive I used to use this on my motorbikes and they kept them mostly immune to salt and other rust makers.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
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Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
Spraying is doubly effective if wiped over carefully otherwise it tends to blob on not stick on as does Camelia Oil if I remember correctly it says wiped over to create a thin film works best.

Peter.
 

Dalboy

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Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
I use an electric greenhouse heater and keep the temperature just above freezing, it has a thermostat on it so can set a minimum and maximum temperature that way once it reaches the desired temperature it turns off. It may not make the shed warm enough to work in but it does keep the rust at bay. I also have a second heater which I can turn on in the morning and a couple of hours later comfortable enough to turn that one off
 
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