Tools and Toolrolls

[Michael.Brown]

Hi all,

Like most of the riders on this forum I carry a selection of tools in two toolrolls, one in each of the toolboxes. My problem is that given most of the tools are "black, i.e. not plated" they invariably get very rusty during the course of the year, I assume due to condensation. The toolrolls themselves are perhaps not moisture resistant which doesn't help. What do other people do to combat/eliminate this problem?

Mike Brown

[simon.holyfield]

What I do, when I remember, is rub ACF50 over the tools.

[dave.owen]

I put them in cosmteic bags(gift sets from xmas) which are water proof. A few years since I've checked them . Using them to do your servicing will get the rust off

[cmfalco]

What do other people do to combat/eliminate this problem?

I live in the Sonoran Desert. What's rust?

[fpassmore]

Agreed, I live in the British Columbia desert so agreed what is rust?
Frank

[fpassmore]

10 inches of rain annually. In a good year!

[Michael.Brown]

Thanks for all the replies and good advice. In the end, after wirebrushing the tools, I coated them in boiled linseed oil and added a couple of silica gel sachets to the tool boxes just for good measure. We will see if that sorts things out.

Mike

[cmfalco]

added a couple of silica gel sachets to the tool boxes just for good measure.

I don't have a packet handy to weigh, but assuming it weighs 1 oz., it can absorb ~0.4 oz. of water. Unfortunately, at 20 oC and 50% humidity, a cubic meter of air holds ~10 g (0.35 oz.) of water. Since you wrote your post several hours ago, I'm afraid those silica gel packets are almost certainly saturated with water by now. Unless you keep your bike in a large baggie from which you evacuated all the humid air.

[Mick D]

I don't have a packet handy to weigh, but assuming it weighs 1 oz., it can absorb ~0.4 oz. of water. Unfortunately, at 20 oC and 50% humidity, a cubic meter of air holds ~10 g (0.35 oz.) of water. Since you wrote your post several hours ago, I'm afraid those silica gel packets are almost certainly saturated with water by now. Unless you keep your bike in a large baggie from which you evacuated all the humid air.

Hi

Those figures are possibly accurate, (I can't be bothered to check), but you have overlooked the fact that the tool box is not subject to continual changes of air. The desiccant has only to reduce the RH to below that of the dew point of the air inside the tool box. Wiping the tools in ACF50 or similar is the best solution but the desiccant will help if its dried regularly.

Regards Mick

[cmfalco]

you have overlooked the fact that the tool box is not subject to continual changes of air. The desiccant has only to reduce the RH to below that of the dew point of the air inside the tool box.

I'm sorry if I annoyed you with my post, but I wanted to help you and others from the mistake of thinking silica gel would stop rust. There are two relevant points: although liquid water condensed on a surface is faster, moisture in the air is sufficient for rust formation. Also, Nature abhors a vacuum, but she also detests a partial-pressure differential. Since your toolbox isn't air tight, as moisture is removed, the humidity from outside air will diffuse in to replace it.

That said, I exaggerated when I said your silica gel almost certainly is already saturated. That time will be measured in days, not minutes.