treatment for drawers to store tools

[havoc]

I'm making drawers beneath my workbench. For ease of construction I used multiplex. Idea is to put squares, files, pliers and other things away instead of covering the bench with them. Now I have a feeling that untreated wood isn't ideal to store tools in.

My workshop isn't bone dry and everything I touch rusts very quickly. So I have taken to the habit of oiling everything after use by wiping it with a oily rag. I fear that putting those tools in a bare wooden drawer would 1) get the oil in the multiplex and that doesn't look too good 2) when the oil is off it they'll just rust.

What would be the best:
- varnish?
- cover it up with some plastic covering?
- use those plastic drawer dividers for cutlery?
- never mind, use more oil?

[dscott]

I have found wooden drawers the best for tools and parts made ready to fit to various engines.
Wood or in my case MDF seems to absorb any moisture and things seem to stay rust free, one thing I noticed as I have several drawers in a cold garage, if you have a piece of rough plywood to fit over the parts, the descending condensation misses them.

Now over the years I have made lots of chests of drawers for the workshop and have settled on a standard unit, easy to make by anyone, and an article written for EIM if they are interested.

If not, I will post it here as without the now 15 units made, life in the workshop would be unbearable. I even have one supporting my small vertical drill, this is a taller unit and it did go up to the loft ( my now workshop area.)

I built in a vertical milling bench with about 12 drawers underneath in descending sizes as it is over the stairs in the smallest bedroom, just a perfect height for changing nappies we have found, I never did install the mill.

David.

[alanstepney]

The one caution is, be careful with oak, which can cause more corrosion than you would want.

[kingsteam9]

Another note of caution - avoid using any fruit woods - they have an acidic content which will add to your rust problem.

I use MDF treated with a couple of coats of Wickes' cheapest varnish for my drawers etc, in a cold uninsulated garage workshop, and that seems to work well, doesn't absorb oil/dirt, and will wipe clean if needed.

Robin

[jgb7573]

I use timber and plywood, with a coat of cheap varnish. Seems to work fine. Unheated garage.

[havoc]

If not, I will post it here as without the now 15 units made,

I'm interested to read about it. You can not have enough storage space.

[spug103]

oak?
fruit woods?
youve got posher workshops than me!

i have felt lined drawers i usually sqirt wd 40 or similar into the drawers occasionally.

[kingsteam9]

nothing posh about using fruit woods - it's a case of when it falls down we use it :-)

[bookworm]

you could always try putting an open tin of VCI from Arc Eurotrade in the draw. This is said to emit a powerful corrosion emitting vapour which prevents corrosion and rust on iron and steel in damp and humid conditions (£3.95 per tin)

Peter

[Deleted]

Havoc, I use Rust Preventive paper to wrap and cover items requiring protection. Anything requiring long term storage such as the 4 jaw and the vertical slide is wrapped in it, as are all my steel loco parts. Line your drawers with it as well! I found this source on ebay:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/VCI-ANTI-RUST-PAPER-for-Myford-Lathe-User-Colchester_W0QQitemZ190274741705QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET?hash=item190274741705&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318
It works!
Regards
JB

[Workshopshed]

I've used ply and 3 coats of exterior varnish for the base and garage floor paint for the sides to match the bench.

I've also got some "Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting Paper" or anti-rust paper for short. You can use oil with that as it does not seem to go soggy.

www.workshopshed.com/2008/08/building-drill-drawer.html

www.workshopshed.com/2008/06/tool-storage-and-metal-stocks-storage.html

[Workshopshed]

Dec 19, 2008 11:47:55 GMT @havoc said:

use those plastic drawer dividers for cutlery?

You might have issues with condensation on the plastic.

I've used some walnut dividers from Ikea's bathroom section, I've not noticed any issues with corrosion from them yet but they've only been there one winter.

[drjohn]

Come live in the tropics with an ambient of 32+ centigrade and condensation at dew-point.

I use suds in a "glassex"spray bottle - works like a charm.

I tried all the recommended lanolin in this and that, but complete failure. The suds is 10-1 chinese water soluble cutting oil.

DJ

[rodwilson]

I have numerous wood/MDF drawers and all remain untreated. Items in 'long term storage' get the anti rust paper protection. All drawers, and boxes have linen bags of silica gel, salvaged from a sugar factory many years ago, and bagged by my daughters. I have no rust problems.

[keith1500]

There is a simple answer - simply go get a dehunidifier and leave it switched on and running. .

I got this one a few years ago when it was £75.00 and I have rust free tools etc. My workshop/garage would let water in at one end where the outside paving was above the level of the slab, this is now fixed but until such time I could get around to doing it I had very damp carpet tiles but still no rust on tools, material etc. The dehimidifier took care of it all. Just remeber to keep emptying it.

www.screwfix.com/prods/10204/Heating-Cooling/Air-Treatment/Amcor-Standard-5Ltr-Dehumidifier-Unit
Personally I wouldnt have a workshop without one regardless how dry

[maninshed]

Yep I have one in my workshop only problem is some of them don't perform so well if the workshop is very cold, so long as the workshops around 50 deg C min they usually work okay think it's something to do with the dew point. Don't bin the water, if you live in a hard water area give it to your wife (the water) for the electric iron, or it could be used for small boilers gauge 1 or mamods.