How to protect tools such as drill bits from rust?

[Red Squirrel]

I noticed rust starting to form on some of my expensive masonry drill bits. Those get abused quite a bit and get dirty, so it's not really that surprising. What is the best way to protect them? I read wax, but, what exactly kind of wax and where do I buy it? Wax is kind of a very generic term I imagine there's a specific type I need to buy.

I was also thinking oil, that would be the most convenient, if I can find something I can just brush on lightly. Would motor oil work? If I can find some kind of little container that has a built in brush in the lid that would be perfect. Just not really sure what to look for.

 

[highland145]

Dehumidifier.

Isn't concrete fairly corossive? Are you doing that much concrete work?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd probably try wrapping them in oily rags. Good use for worn out clothes. If you don't have too many of them, you could oil them, then store in a bamboo tube with a cork. I do that with my raker file/gauge for my saws.

 

[Jerem]

Wax? I'm guessing paraffin

 

[highland145]

Gotta figure out why 1st.

 

[IronWing]

Cathodic protection is the key to preventing oxidation. Weld a zinc washer to each bit. Alternatively, attach a battery to each bit.

 

[shortylickens]

oil. and an acid brush.

 

[Amol S.]

Spray WD-40 on rusted drill bits every time you want to use them.

 

[Paladin3]

WD40, degreaser or brake cleaner work to clean a tool. Then a thin coating of your favorite oil, or a dip in clean motor oil if you want to use that, and store. Or Butcher's Alley Wax works well. Even the waxy side of simple wax paper will leave a protective film behind on a metal surface. The key is to clean and oil them after each use without fail. It doesn't take much. Everyone has their favorite product, but I haven't found one that works that much better than the rest, so I like cheap. I use 80-90W gear lubricant for moving part inside some of my rifles.

 

[lxskllr]

I use 80-90W gear lubricant for moving part inside some of my rifles.

Ugh. I hate the way gear oil smells, and it doesn't take much to make a lot of stink.

 

[Paladin3]

Ugh. I hate the way gear oil smells, and it doesn't take much to make a lot of stink.

Yeah, it does. I really only use it on the locks of of my black powder guns, dipping them in and then closing container with a tight lid. It was cheap, and enough gun oil to submerge a part that big isn't. I'll might try other heavy weight oils when I run out of gear oil, but the smell doesn't linger once it dries in my experience.

 

[Steltek]

If they are expensive, you can always use Boeshield T-9 on them. My brother uses it between projects to prevent table corrosion on his Grizzly woodworking tools and it lasts 9-12 months an application.

 

[Ajay]

Geez red, take care of your tools! I think all my bits are high carbon steel or titanium. I use a dehumidifier in my basement as @highland145 mentioned. For existing rust; steel wool or naval jelly if it worse. I’ve soaked tools over the winter season in used motor oil - best lazy method. For steel you can’t keep dry, rub them down with naval grease.

 

[lxskllr]

I’ve soaked tools over the winter season in used motor oil

I've never done it, but I've heard of people putting sand and used oil in a 5G bucket, and stabbing their garden tools inside that to prevent rust. Not too sure about used oil though. I wouldn't want to use those tools on food crops, or anything I had to touch, but construction stuff would be ok I guess,

 

[skyking]

Squirrel I don't recall ho you heat your house, but if it is electric then a dehumidifier in that first post is just the ticket. It is all good, the power it uses is just heat in the house. You can put one in whatever room where the tools live, and it cures that pesky rusting issue.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Geez red, take care of your tools! I think all my bits are high carbon steel or titanium. I use a dehumidifier in my basement as @highland145 mentioned. For existing rust; steel wool or naval jelly if it worse. I’ve soaked tools over the winter season in used motor oil - best lazy method. For steel you can’t keep dry, rub them down with naval grease.

And this is exactly why I made this post, looking for best ways to do it.

I don't think humidity is an issue, I actually have to run a humidifier or I'm shocking stuff from a distance like Palpatine. But the masonry bits in particular seem to be the ones rusting probably because of the concrete use. They don't get used that often so they sit in the toolbox but I noticed rust the other day when I was going in there for something else. I didn't even think of WD-40, going to try that. Can maybe make some cases for them using CPVC pipe as well and spray the case with WD-40 so I can kind of tumble the bit in there to make sure it coats it.

When I insulate my garage next summer I want to completely revamp how I organize my tools and make some custom wood cases for things like specialty drill bits etc, right now it's a mess and they're all over the place since there is no designated area. I will of course need to figure out the best/cheapest way to heat and dehumidify that space if I'm going to move all my tools there. Probably do a dehumidifer and then some kind of water based radiator heat and just take heat from the furnace.

 

[BoomerD]

If you're not using them regularly, clean them up and give them a coating of Corrosion X.

CorrosionX – Corrosion Technologies

Kills Rust and Corrosion World's Greatest Lubricant, Penetrant & Anti-Seize Safe on Electronics CorrosionX is the most advanced and effective corrosion prevention compound, lubricant and penetrant in the world! Although it may look like a typical oil-based anti-corrosion spray, CorrosionX...

www.corrosionx.com

That stuff works miracles. We used it for a wide variery of things when I worked on the water...tools, electrical components, automotive corrosion protection...

Fluid Film is another great product, but it leaves a heavy, sticky residue for a coating... (almost similar to cosmo,ine...but easier to remove)

 

[RLGL]

GlideCote from Bostik

 

[Spacehead]

Probably all the things mentioned here will work but i bet a good cleaning after each use would go a long way too, before oiling.
Are the tools kept in the house now? Or out in the cold garage over winter?

 

[snoopy7548]

I just lick all of my tools after using them. Cleans off any sawdust or metal shavings, and provides a protective coating of saliva, plus it tastes good. Win-win-win.

 

[SKORPI0]

 

[randay]

a good fancy spray can oil works fine and lasts a while if the tool is not in use. if its a good quality bit you use it regularly i wouldnt even bother doing anything. and yes if all else fails you can just throw them in a tub of motor oil.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Probably all the things mentioned here will work but i bet a good cleaning after each use would go a long way too, before oiling.
Are the tools kept in the house now? Or out in the cold garage over winter?

They are kept in the house but my house is a huge mess as it takes up an entire section of my basement, so once I finish my garage I want to move them back to the garage and organize them properly as I'll build shelving/cabinet units and stuff. It will be insulated and heated.

I was also thinking, could probably put some of those "do not eat" packets in my toolboxes, would that help? I always throw those out but I should start collecting them.

But yeah think I'll just go with WD40 or whatever oil based spray I can find. Actually Canadian Tire sells Linseed oil that might be the best bet, I also read some oils will mess up the finish if you're using the tools on wood and plan to finish it after. No idea where to buy wax though, bee keeper?

Found this, is this what I want? Or is it suppose to be a more specialized wax: https://www.amazon.ca/Dutchmans-Gol...sr_1_9?keywords=beeswax&qid=1581884259&sr=8-9

 

[lxskllr]

I think the do not eat packets need to be refreshed. I had some practice bagpipes that had packets to absorb moisture, and you had to bake them to get moisture out so they'd work.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Some good replies in here, so I will go for a quality shit post. Popeye told me dipping them in Olive Oil works great.