bringing my tools home. . . . maybe?

[BigDick]

Gonna make a run back to missouri this weekend, but your input will help me decide on whether or not I'm gonna have all my tools. Since I live on base the only way I'm allowed to work on any of my vehicles is if I bring it to the auto hobby shop and pay to use a stall, they provide all the tools. But still it's damn handy to have my tools here, I still intend on doing little stuff in the driveway once in a while. My main problem is this: i have a small carport with a cinderblock shed at the end of it this will be the easiest place for me to store my tools. (my wife won't be much help getting them downstairs and then that'd not be ideal) my question is do i have to worry about my tools getting rusty out in this little shed thingy? It has a sound roof and walls, the doors are solid but no good weatherstripping around the edges. I have a lot of money in decent quality tools, including starrett precision stuff the last thing I want is for it to turn into a rusty lump.

[Ivan]

I have a garage full of Snap-on tools that are supposedy triple chrome plated, drop forged, stainless steel. They have rusted. They have spent several years in rubbermaid totes. If you do bring your tools put them in a good tool box and check them every week.

As for your description of the shed, I would be far more worried about security than rust, especially if you have the high dollar stuff. JMHO

[BigDick]

I'm not worried about security, the doors have a hasp on it for a good padlock, and I live in base housing. So thieves have to get by Security Forces before they even have a chance, then I'll hear my dogs going off and start shooting at them. lol Worst case I can bring the box home, unload it, get it up 3 stairs into the house, then down about 10 into the basement and relax.

[madmax-im]

I'm not worried about security, the doors have a hasp on it for a good padlock, and I live in base housing. So thieves have to get by Security Forces before they even have a chance, then I'll hear my dogs going off and start shooting at them. lol Worst case I can bring the box home, unload it, get it up 3 stairs into the house, then down about 10 into the basement and relax.

Sounds like if you are gonna put them in the basement then everything would be good...No? Basements can and do get damp too although prolly not to the extent as being stored in a shed. If you have spent a good deal investing in top quality tools then you would want to have them with you. If you're just gonna use the base shop tools then you might as well sell yours. I cant suggest what you should do.My feeling is that if they were mine ...I want them where I know they are safe.

[BigDick]

Basements can and do get damp too although prolly not to the extent as being stored in a shed. . . . If you're just gonna use the base shop tools then you might as well sell yours.

I know the basement will get damp, but like you said it'll be a lot less than the shed! I hate to get rid of my tools since i know I won't be in the air force for the rest of my life. Also I hate using other people's tools, even if I'm paying to use them. (more or less I know the best solution is to put them in the basement and stop whining, but I like to b1tch and bullsh1t) THANKS FOR INPUT! ! !

[madmax-im]

I have alot of stuff stored in my basement that is subject to getting damp,moldy or rusty...what i have done is buy some large tupperware type storage bins that have a good sealing top...this helps preserve my stuff with out any worries about stuff deteriorating...you can also buy an absorbant...or a dessicant material to absorb moisture and put that into the storage bin too. JAT

[DGXSER]

My suggestion would be your basement for the security reason. Hate to say it, but some of the worst thieving I ever put up with was when I was in the military, and it was by fellow soilders.

Locks just keep honest people honest, and on base folks are very transient and tend to be alot less....uhhh...concerned about others. The dogs don't matter if you are not home. And the security...well.....85% of all theft in work place environments is by the cleaning crews and the security folks. To them, on base IS a work place environment. JMHO

[CatatonicBug]

I can understand what you are saying. I have a carport (no garage), but I don't even have a storage area in the carport. I have to keep all my tools down in my basement shop. I built a workbench out of free lumber from work, and I have to haul all the tools I need for each job up the basement stairs and out into the carport whenever I need to do anything. It's a pain, but at least I know the tools are safe when I put them away. If you don't already have one, get a small portable toolbox or bucket tote that you can swap tools in and out of for each time you need to drag them upstairs. It's a pain, but a lot better than an armfull of screwdrivers and a pair of channel-locks on your toe halfway up the steps.

[fredintoon]

- - - more or less I know the best solution is to put them in the basement and stop whining, but I like to b1tch and bullsh1t THANKS FOR INPUT! ! !

>
Hi BigDick,
every question contains it's own answer. it's Zen thing.
So you gonna keep your tools in the basement, select only what's needed to do a particular job and haul them to the worksite in a suitable tote-bag.
And what was the other thing? Yeah, put the tools away again afterwards.
About your expensive sh1t going rusty, line the toolbox drawers with this stuff:-
http://www.daubertcromwell.com/PapersFerrous.asp
Come to that, a military base should have such stuff laying around that could be diverted to your use?

[BigDick]

>
Hi BigDick,
every question contains it's own answer. it's Zen thing.

I do that a lot, I like reassurance that I'm not crazy, or that I'm doing something right.

>line the toolbox drawers with this stuff:-
http://www.daubertcromwell.com/PapersFerrous.asp
Come to that, a military base should have such stuff laying around that could be diverted to your use?

Yes they'd likely have it, but i have no clue where. I was in structural maintenance (the sheet metal shop) and didn't see any laying around, ditto the machine shop. But in the basement I'll be a lot less worried, I'll be seeing the tools at least once every two weeks and then stop any corrosion before it gets a good hold.

[trbig]

Sure, there's extra fancy tools out there, but on road trips, I usually bring enough tools, (and lots of times a few spare parts) to where I could pull a motor, split the cases, and put it all back together on the side of the road if needed. All these tools fill approximately HALF of a saddle bag. No huge tool boxes needed. It may be nice to have an assortment.. swively things here, ratchety things there.. but it can be done without a massive box of tools.

Tod

[79XS11F]

I have been told that when one stores metal items in an enclosed space where rust may be an issue you can include an open container of salt (table salt grade) in the storage area and it will absorb moisture out of the air. It is suppose to be the same as those little salt packets that are often packed with items from the factory. I have never had reason to try this but it does make some sense.
Rob

[Cobia]

Hey Dick.
There's a product used to avoid corrosion in fishing tackle boxes. Heard it's pretty effective but expen$$ive.

[TopCatGr58]

I have been told that when one stores metal items in an enclosed space where rust may be an issue you can include an open container of salt (table salt grade) in the storage area and it will absorb moisture out of the air. It is suppose to be the same as those little salt packets that are often packed with items from the factory. I have never had reason to try this but it does make some sense.
Rob

Hey Rob,

I hate to say it but SALT doesn't make sense! Remember why you have to wash it off of the underside of your car after driving on sand and salted roads! Those little packets are SILICA beads, not salt. Salt has free or loosely linked atoms, sodium and chloride, and easily contributes to the oxidation process of iron based metals. Salt IS a good preservative for meat, but not metal! I know that salt will obsorb a bit of moisture and stick together in the shaker, and so folks use dry Rice to help keep the salt dry, but the rice doesn't necessarily obsorb the moisture vs. the salt, but that it acts as an agitant to help break the clumpy salt into small granules...as per a program on the cooking channel I saw!

Also, the use of a Desiccant(suggest folks do a search) often requires a fairly environmentally controlled container space. A garage or storage shed wouldn't be an effective storage space for humidity control.

Okay, I just NOW read this whole thread, and BNE hit on the right idea, you can get a variety of those well sealing plastic storage bins, and in that small confined space, the use of a DESICCANT pack WOULD be an effective protectant, but also a slight film of light OIL...3n1/not sure about WD-40, but oil would help.

Okay, I'll stop being an Agitant!
T.C.

[79XS11F]

Hey Rob,

I hate to say it but SALT doesn't make sense! Remember why you have to wash it off of the underside of your car after driving on sand and salted roads! Those little packets are SILICA beads, not salt. Salt has free or loosely linked atoms, sodium and chloride, and easily contributes to the oxidation process of iron based metals. Salt IS a good preservative for meat, but not metal! I know that salt will obsorb a bit of moisture and stick together in the shaker, and so folks use dry Rice to help keep the salt dry, but the rice doesn't necessarily obsorb the moisture vs. the salt, but that it acts as an agitant to help break the clumpy salt into small granules...as per a program on the cooking channel I saw!

Also, the use of a Desiccant(suggest folks do a search) often requires a fairly environmentally controlled container space. A garage or storage shed wouldn't be an effective storage space for humidity control.

Okay, I just NOW read this whole thread, and BNE hit on the right idea, you can get a variety of those well sealing plastic storage bins, and in that small confined space, the use of a DESICCANT pack WOULD be an effective protectant, but also a slight film of light OIL...3n1/not sure about WD-40, but oil would help.

Okay, I'll stop being an Agitant!
T.C.

OK so would an open pail of silica beads do the trick?
Rob