Tool Storage in Cold Environments
Tool Storage! I’m going to break away here and not write a how to, instead I’m just going to take time to talk about tool storage. There was a question on a DIYforum that I am on, the question was in short that the guy wanted to know weather it was ok or not to store tools in the cold. He was obviously a northern person since the wanted to store the tools in a non-heated shed that he has. The tools that he owned where currently stored in a basement that was prone to flooding, and since it was flooding, the humidity in the air caused the tools that he had to oxidize
The guys and gals on the forum made some great suggestions which made me want to write this, because I think it is important to know. One suggestion was to wax or oil the parts of the tools that are made of steal. But you need to also remember that if any of the tools that you use oil or wax on might not be so kind to finished products, like any thing that you might want to stain or paint. The oil and the wax, when used on wood, will transfer over to the wood, and then when you go to paint it, the paint will fisheye, which makes the paint look like a bunch or fish eyes, hence the name. The same thing will happen if you use silicon, so keep that in mind when you use anything oil based to protect tools.
There is a product that people say is good to protect against rust, which is Boeshield T-9. I have never personally used it but I did some research on this product and People rave about it protecting it from rust. So it you have a leaky basement and you don’t feel comfortable leaving the tools out in the shed in back, or you live by the ocean then you can try that product. You will have to search where you can get it from. But the local Hardware store, Home Depot, or Lowe’s will have it or something like it.
I have worked plenty of times in the blistering cold, and had no problems with the tools that I used. We had gas generators and compressors that stayed out in the cold and started up every time we needed it. To tell you the truth though the longest the stayed out in the cold with out it being used was, at most, 3 days, and trying to start them was a pain none the less. You want to make sure when storing gas powered equipment that you oil them properly and if possible try to warm them up a bit before using.
So in conclusion to keeping your tools out in the cold, I see no problem with it. Just make sure, just with any tool, to take a good look at it. Take a minute or so and visually inspect it for any damage that may have happened to it. Weather it was stored in the cold or stored in a climate controlled environment always check the tools for damage, because you always want to put safety first when using tools.
[tags]home, house, diy, remodeling, construction, building, home repair, additions, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, home improvement, trim, heating and cooling[/tags]
