preventing tools etc rusting in a shed

[eggplant]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place but I suppose its the nearest since its about tools.
I'm moving house this week, the new house has a fair sized shed in which I plan (rather am FORCED to by the woman..) to store my tools and also do any work in (once I fit an alarm etc). I am however concerned about evrything going rusty. The shed will (once I get on with it) have electric, I thought maybe some kind of heater that is set on a timer to come one periodically may help? or will I need to line the shed maybe?

 

[JohnD]

Insulate, especially the roof, then your heater will do some good... it's the cold giving condensation that causes trouble.

the floor will probably not have a dpc so it will always be damp... is it worth putting down a plastic dpc and new floor of board or slabs on top?

And rust is much much worse on uncovered steel than if it's covered - the dust and grit seems to encourage dust and corrosion. If you put a bit of steel plate in the shed with a rag on it, next spring you wil find the bit under the rag is realtively bright while the rest is brown and rusty.

garden tools and lawnmowers benefit from a spray or wipe with WD40.

Spanners and things should be in your toolbox, I'm undecided if you should give them a wipe with an oily rag; although it helps preserve them, they are more likely to slip in your hand and cause an accident.

Never use a paraffin or gas heater as they create steam.

You don't need much heat to keep it dry - I have a tubular heater with a 15A room stat on it; it only takes about 25Watts and only runs when it's cold (but this is insulated and brick with a dpc, so not very damp anyway.

 

[eggplant]

Thanks for the reply,

I am unsure until we get the keys tomorrow as to wheter the shed has any insulation at all, if it doesnt, then it will have (a new post will be made if this is the case)
What is a dpc? I really need to stop the rust as I'll be putting all my power tools in there and I simply cant afford to replace them - most are dewalt and not cheap.

Thanks

 

[breezer]

What is a dpc?

damp proof course

 

[JohnD]

Damp Proof Course. I think people say damp-proof membrane (DPM) these days (it means "piece of thick polythene" usually)



p.s. if you put your power tools in your shed, let me know the address, as I have a part-time job as a burglar.

 

[eggplant]

Thanks,

I'll have a check tomorrow.

p.s. if you put your power tools in your shed, let me know the address, as I have a part-time job as a burglar.

No probs, you can have the addy but not details of my cameras or burglar trap (yeah i know you cant construct a device to deliberatly injure burglars but you can leave things wobbly "by mistake"!) - I wont tell you about the alarm either - not that it will be good for much apart from waking me up and scaring the birds!

I'll most likely post back for more help once I've had a proper look tomorrow.

Thanks again

 

[JohnD]

I wont tell you about the alarm either - not that it will be good for much apart from waking me up and scaring the birds!

Like the neighbours, you'll just roll over in bed muttering "bloody alarms on the blink again"

 

[Hitachimad]

You can buy specific sprays that are for this, although they are more expensive than wd40 they are dryer, so dont tend to attract dust as much.
Just spray on ang put it away.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Rocol-Moisture-Guard-Spray-(Clear)-33470.htm

 

[pitbull]

I use the little packets of silica gel (that you get in shoe boxes) in my tool boxes, they work great!

 

[big-all]

ive got one of these in my workshop
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4158350.htm

the stat on min gives a degree frost setting constantly variable to well in excess of 20 degree [i turn it off when the temp is about 15]

the main use is to stop the temperature dropping below 3 degrees and raising the temp to 10 or 12 the minimum temp the wood glue works at

my workshop is fairly well sealed up but no insulation 10ft by 12 ft

i recon it cost me between £35 and £50 over the winter in costs to keep the temp abouve 3 degree and up to10 degree for probably 25% of the remainder off the day
i have had no trouble with rusting or pitting of any power or hand tools and take no other precautions

 

[wilhelm]

nowt wrong with rusty tools, in fact i like the "used" look.

and big -all.... how the freck are those birds gonna nest with all them power saws in ya shed?

 

[big-all]

i made 2 birdboxes from the offcuts as i had loads of less than 18" and i hate waste

apart from the local cats no other creature has paid any attention to them

 

[eggplant]

Many thanks all,

I think I'll go with the heater option. That said, now I've had chance to have a proper look, the shed is far smaller than I thought it was and I need a shed extension! Is it feasable to extend one?

Thanks

 

[Pushfit]

For tools in a toolbox I put an old piece of towel with a little engine oil on it over the tools and it keeps them clean and bright - also useful for cleaning hands after using them. Similarly putting an old piece of slightly oily towel over power tools helps to keep moisture out too.
I find this effective cheap and easy.

John B.

 

[breezer]

why not use a tubular heater or 2, much safer than a blow fan heater