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Post by chris vine on Apr 8, 2008 17:48:02 GMT
Hi again Awins,
I found a really useful product: Slideway lubricant in a spray can by Rocol. It is specially designed for machine slideways and as such has a very low sticktion. I don't know if it has special anti rust properties but it certainly works very well in that department too.
You can get it from the purveyors of all things wonderful for our workshops: J and L industrial supply ltd.
Chris.
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awins
Active Member
Posts: 21
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Post by awins on Apr 10, 2008 17:42:38 GMT
Cheers boys wasnt aware of that, another good one if you can get it is a product a museum curator told me about called Ensis oil ( forgive the exact spelling ). They wipe this over all the metal surfaces.
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wayne
Seasoned Member
Posts: 137
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Post by wayne on Apr 10, 2008 19:57:05 GMT
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Apr 11, 2008 12:01:45 GMT
In the past, for preserving things that were going to be put away for a long time, I cleaned the salts off them in boiling water with a little sodium hydroxide in it, and dried in an oven at about 80 c, then dipped into automotive Waxoyl.
Now I tend to use a Lithium grease which I can clean off more easily. It's cheaper and easier to get too.
Keith
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Post by simplex on Apr 15, 2008 10:39:40 GMT
My workshop is situated in a wooden outbuilding, and is unheated except when I am working there. Consequently, I experienced terrible problems with condensation and rust on equipment, machinery, materials, and work in progress, until I installed a dehumidifier. Now, even in the dampest weather the air in the workshop is dry, and the hygrometer stays firmly below 60%RH - plenty dry enough to prevent rust or mildew. The dry air also has the effect of allowing the space to heat more quickly when needed. The dehumidifier is controlled by a built-in adjustable humidistat, and consumes an average of less than 70 watts , so the overall running cost is less than constantly heating the space with a low power electric heater.
However, for unheated buildings it is important to choose a dehumidifier that has an automatic defrost feature, otherwise, in cold weather (below 7 degrees centigrade) the condenser will quickly accumulate a large block of ice and cease to work, or worse, cause the fan motor to burn out.
The unit I have is a twenty years old, but more modern units are available from the likes of B&Q, who sell the 'Airforce' auto-defrost dehumidifier, sometimes on offer for around £120. The makers claim that it can extract two litres per day. It also incorporates a fan heater function, which in a small workshop should be adequate for quickly heating the dry air to a comfortable working temperature when required.
They are a relatively expensive item, but, in my opinion, provide a 'fit and forget' solution that is well worth the investment in order to save valued items and equipment from irreparable damage or decay. It is also worth remembering that the condensate from dehumidifiers is 'distilled' water, which can be used in steam irons or for topping up lead-acid batteries.
If you do install a dehumidifier, it really is worth going to the trouble of connecting a small drain hose (mine is 1/4" i.d.) to an outside gully or soakaway (flowerbed), otherwise, in humid weather you may have to empty the condensate tank every other day. Generally there is a float switch which shuts down the unit when the tank is full.
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Post by Nigel Bennett on Apr 15, 2008 11:52:30 GMT
My view is Insulation, Insulation, Insulation. If you do a decent job of it in your shed - and we're not talking huge amounts of money here - you will find you can keep it warm with a small thermostatically-controlled fan-heater without it breaking the bank. One of the big advantages is that you can go in your shed at any time in mid-winter - how many times have you sat in the house watching some appalling tosh on the TV because it was too cold to go and work in the shed?
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Post by chris vine on Apr 15, 2008 19:08:10 GMT
Hi Simplex is right I think, a dehumidifier is an excellent solution. And yes, for a shed it is important to get one which has a defrost system and goes down to about 1C. Otherwise in winter when you need it most, it will switch itself off.
One other thing to note is to try to get one which will remain switched on even after a short powercut.
I bought one which had a touch type on button. If the mains went off, it needed the button pressing to make it switch on again. This is no use if you go away for a spell and expect it to keep everything dry. I had to take it back.
Chris.
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