Keeping hand tools rust-free in a damp garage over winter

[SawdustSparrow]

Hello all. My garage gets quite damp in winter, and every year a few of my hand tools pick up light surface rust even though I wipe them down after use. The worst affected are my chisels, a couple of hand saws and some spanners that live in an open toolbox.

I am thinking about changing how I store them rather than just cleaning them more often. Would a closed tool cabinet with a few silica gel packs make a real difference, or is ventilation more important in a damp space? I have also heard mixed views on a very light wipe of oil on cutting edges, and I do not want to end up with oily handles or a sticky mess.

For those of you with a similar garage, what has actually worked over a full winter? I am especially interested in simple, low-cost habits that do not need a dehumidifier running all the time. Thanks.

 

[Wayners]

Light spray with WD 40 stops rust.
Air tight container will stop the rust. Tape the plastic boxes joints to make air tight.

 

[Gasguru]

Goggle VCI pspers & liquids

 

[aveatry]

ACF 50 is amazing stopping rust

 

[Stivino]

I've stored my tools in a garden shed for many years, nothing has gone rusty. Tools like steel rulers, Verniers, micrometers, feeler blades etc, are kept in the house just in case.

 

[Koolpc]

I use a heated kennel to store all my tools...

 

[Stivino]

I use a heated kennel to store all my tools...

It sound like the dogs ball locks.

 

[Koolpc]

It sound like the dogs ball locks.

No, I don't use those. Too easy to break in...