Hello, I wish to know the best type of wax product to protect the metal on my hand tools from rust, the elements and so on.
I am a type of person who doesn’t like to have long exposure of mineral spirtis on my fingers. The logetivity of the product is 2nd to non-toxicity in importance in this purchase, and I want to know what you out there like to use and your opinions on the toxicity of those products
I don’t really understand the difference between beeswax, parafin wax and some of the pastes. I do see that Johnson paste wax is popular.
-g
Replies
Sounds lilke you will need to wear gloves applying wax since virtually all of them have some sort of solvent carrier, mostly petroleum distillates, sometimes turpentine, and I guess sometimes citrus solvents, which despite the marketing BS aren't necessarily safer to health. But the solvents evaporate soon after application leaving wax, which is essentially non-toxic.
Beeswax is made by bees, parafin is a mineral wax (a mineral oil that is solid at room temperature), carnuba is plant based (one of the hardest waxes), and there are a variety of others. Johnson's works fine for waxing tools. Even better is a dehumidifier.
Don't get automotive waxes for waxing tools since many of these contain silicone which if it contaminates wood surfaces can present NASTY finishing problems. With respect to your wood working shop, the next county is a good place to keep silicone products
Most paste waxes include some sort of solvent in order to keep them soft, once applied the solvent evaporates and only wax remains, but if this is still not acceptable why not use camellia or jojoba oil? They are absolutely non toxic and provide moderate rust protection
Wax only offers limited protection from moisture. Johnsons and most other paste waxes contain petroleum distilates to keep it soft. The solvents quickly evaporate so there won't be residue to get on your hands, A light coat is applied with a rag or applicator, allow the wax to dry to a haze, then buff it. If you have real humid conditions in your shop and tools sit for a while, wax isn't going to keep the rust off.
Keeping your tools in a closed tool box can help a lot. A simple fan left blowing in the shop also helps. Lie Neisen sells socks to keep your planes in and many use tool rolls for chisels and carving tools. If the socks or rolls get wet, they will contribute to rust big time. A low watt light bulb in the tool cabinet can also be used in bad conditions. Covers for stationary machines are good. AMT used to sell some nice ones.
There are some specialty products such as Drycote but I haven't used them. I keep the little silica bags that are often in medicine bottles and throw them into the tool drawers, even an open box of baking soda will absorb moisture, just don't spill it on the tools. You can buy silica packages as well as products like Damprid to put in the box.
I run a dehumidifier in my shop during the summer, it extracts 5 gals. per day and I'm not that damp. Excessive moisture isn't good for your lumber stash either. Clean the sawdust off things. It can absorb moisture and cause rust.
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