Replies

1. 
   mwenz | Mar 20, 2007 06:34pm | #1

   The leather pouch is in general a bad idea. Depending on how it was tanned, it may well be actually causing the rust, aside from retention of water vapor issues.

   Canvass rolls are better in this regard.

   Most of mine hang in a holder at the back of my bench on the wall. I do have some sculptor's rasps as old as 75 years which remain rolled in a canvass roll until needed with zero issues.

   Take care, Mike

2. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 20, 2007 07:29pm | #2

   I agree with Mike.  Leather can be hell on tools.  I once left a set of chisels in a leather roll about 15 years ago for about 6 months.  When I opened the roll to use them, there was more rust than chisel. 

   I hang mine now, also, and use canvas rolls only.  However, my new LN chisels came with a very nice leather roll.  I'm afraid to use it!

   Jeff

1. 
   jeanlou | Mar 21, 2007 05:26am | #3

   Jeff

   Canvas is good...and if you are keeping the roll in a drawer, you can also throw some silica gel packs into the drawer as an extra helper.  JL

1. 
   gwsaltspring | Mar 21, 2007 07:33am | #4

   Thanks everyone. I kind of suspected that it was probably something simple, I just wasn't sure if the leather was the issue.Greg

3. 
   Gramps | Mar 22, 2007 07:07pm | #5

   Leather is bad.  For the 5 or 6 years I've been using a 2" by about  1 foot square styrafoam I got from buying something.  I stick the sharp end of the unhandled files in the foam and the handled ones I stick the end of file or rasp in.  I use the same holes, if they get too big start a new one . No hunting for them ,they don't hit each other and they are in reach

1. 
   gwsaltspring | Mar 23, 2007 07:07am | #11

   Thanks everyone for your replies. I am in the process of putting in an order with Lee Valley and will be ordering some canvas tool rolls. The shop files currently get stored in foam as was suggested, though I have been thinking of a more permanent solution. The leather wrench pouch that I have been using was an attempt to protect the files in the bottom of one of my tool boxes, from each other and anything else that they might come in contact with. While it has done an admirable job for going on 10+ years the little rust spots have been a puzzle. I must admit that I thought it was possibly related to my using them on boats. Anyhow with all of your assistance I have come to see the error of my ways. I suppose the only thing left to do is to find a smaller file cabinet now since even the two drawer file cabinet takes up a lot of room in the shop and I don't have that many files to begin with. Unless of course someone has some suggestions as to other things I might consider storing in the cabinet ;^).Cheers Greg

4. 
   frenchy | Mar 22, 2007 09:47pm | #6

   Greg,

    I put my files in a wrench holder. Seriously the wrench holders that look like plastic angles that Snap on and others sell to go into your tool box  do agreat job of keeping them sharp and rust free.

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 23, 2007 01:55am | #8

   All,

   I keep my files in a file cabinet.  Thought that's why they are called that...

   Ray

1. 
   mwenz | Mar 23, 2007 02:00am | #9

   Ah, butt of course! And do your pouches hang or lie flat?

   <g> Mike

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 23, 2007 05:26am | #10

   Gettin' a little personal there ain'tcha Mike? That info is given on a need-to-know basis only ;-)

   Ray

5. 
   Samson | Mar 22, 2007 11:42pm | #7

   I dunno if this would help for the bringing to the work site issue, but it's easy to make a holder from wood similar to the one in the upper right corner of the saw till in this picture:

   http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2386179770032524639rVlMkY

   I suppose a similar thing could be built into a box for carrying to the work site - kind of like drill bit boxes with flip up panels with the bits in appropriate sized holes.

6. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 23, 2007 02:48pm | #12

   Being space-challenged, shop-wise, I'm forced to store my 30' ladder horizontally on brackets over my bench. I slip my files into the hollow rungs (along with other pieces of small stock and misc. jetsam). It takes me about a half-hour to unload the ladder when I want to use it, but those storage spaces sure come in handy in the 'tween times! If I didn't have to store my ladder there, I'm so used to having these cubbies now that I'd probably mount some 1-1/2" PVC pipe cut-offs above my bench to take their place. Keeps the dust/rust off and they are right their over your head when you need 'em.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   gwsaltspring | Mar 23, 2007 06:23pm | #13

   I like that idea. Something to think about there.Greg