Drill Bits and Accessories Rusting

[mlfaber]

I have read and witnessed that Festool "metal" can easily corrode.  I have experienced this on my OF 1400 columns.  The question is, I live in Michigan and keep all of my tools in an insulated but non-heated garage, is it safe to keep my Centrotec Installers kit out there?.  It usually stays around 30 - 40 degrees in the winter.  It has heat but I don't run it unless I am out there!  The moisture meter I have is usually at or less then 65% humidity?  Should I worry that the bits and accessories will all be covered with rust some day?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool metal sure rusts like crazy. A lot easier than other brands. Found rust on an OF 1010's columns I had bought a while ago. Was from 2008. My 15 year old DeWalt router doesn't have a spec on it.

I think direct contact with liquid water is most to fear. I have no idea how much influence air humidity has, but if you're worried I'd take no chance and keep the centrotec stuff inside your house. When I inspected my Centrotec bits some time ago I found some items with small amounts of rust on them though I am pretty sure I never used them in the rain or near water.

Had a job this summer on a roof. Had to stop for 1 week because of heavy rain. When I came back I found I had forgotten two bits that laid in a puddle all week. One a Festool centrotec and one a Bosch. Picture below. Guess which one is the Festool. I'm not taking any chances with Festool stuff, I keep it dry.

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[Kev]

I live near the beach - things get so rusty round here you'd think rubber could rust ... you're worrying me!

Any hints on storage out there - things to do to power tools and accessories to avoid rust an corrosion ?

(apart from the obvious keep things clean, dry and store them in their systainers i mean)

 

[ShawnRussell]

Rub your metal parts down with Renaissance wax. It may seem pricey for the little container, but it goes a long way.
http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Micro-Crystalline-Wax-Polish-65/dp/B001DSZWEM

I am also thinking about putting Zerust in the top lids of all my systainers. This stuff has worked create in my metal tool pan.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/zerust-non-slip-rust-preventing-drawer-liner.aspx

 

[AlexThePalex]

Any hints on storage out there - things to do to power tools and accessories to avoid rust an corrosion ?

I keep a little bag with that stuff that sucks up moisture with my bits.

 

[mlfaber]

Wow that is a lot of rust!  I guess I am mostly concerned with indirect moisture contact. Also, I like the idea of the silica gel packs, anyone know where you can get them?  I agree with taking them inside and probably will.

 

[ShawnRussell]

I bought this large pack and then got a bunch of old altoid cans from a friend.  Just punch a few holes.. You can also put the silica in a warm oven(120ish) and then reuse it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrosorbent-Silica-Dehumidifier-Gram-Reuseable/dp/B000N5QECU/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

 

[fatroman]

I get those silica packs from shoe boxes, kids' toys, electronic gear and a handful of other spots. Then I repurpose them and stick several in with my tools.

You can also buy them at Amazon

Work great, and if they collect too much moisture, just dry them out in your oven.

 

[stairman]

I live in Florida,  and the environment here is extremely harsh on tools and machine beds.
untreated, a table saw surface will be fully coated in rust in just a few days.  -this is inside the shop,  not outside in the elements!

I wax machine beds,  and I spray bits and blades with Boeshield.  I like the idea of using the silica gel packs and am going to order some today,  thanks for that idea,  -to all of you who mentioned it

chisels and router bits are usually seem to suffer the worst for me.
within a month, a brand new router bit will look 100yrs old... 
I have a few thousand worth of Legacy Mill specialty bits alone,  not to mention all the shaper cutters, moulding knives and other router bits, blades and knives.  I have a few drawers in my SnapOn tool chest, which have dehumidifier rods in them,  and this has proven successful over the past few years.  I keep a set of basic bits in a Router Bit systainer for field work,  but the rest stay in the Snapon roller chest.

 

[tbellemare]

Silica gel bags (or other dessicants) in strategic places can help a lot. Even in a place like Austin, we can have wet periods that are enough to rust those things that are precious.

Tom