While frigid winter weather may leave you chilled to the bone, the good news is it generally won’t harm your woodworking tools. What will damage your tools is moisture. At Zerust, we know your woodworking tools could be ruined by rust as the season shifts from an icy winter to a balmy spring. Tool replacement is costly, but the bigger risk is safety. A rusted tool is a dangerous one.

Rust prevention of tools – woodworking or otherwise – involves first understanding that rust develops when cold tools are exposed to warm, moist air, which condenses on and in the tools. That’s what results in iron oxidation (rust) and decay.

Woodworking experts recommend winterizing your wood shop and tools by keeping them in a climate-controlled environment, heating the storage area and keeping it closed if possible. Maintaining a storage temperature higher indoors than outdoors can help protect tools from condensation and corrosion. However, this isn’t always economic or feasible if you keep your woodworking tools in a garage or shed.

Our Northeast Ohio tool rust prevention experts at Zerust have several products that can help protect your woodworking tools from rust. 

Vapor Capsules for Woodworking Tools

Woodworking tools that may be at risk for rust damage include:

• Axes and hatchets
• Chisels
• Clamps
• Knives
• Hammers and mallets
• Vises
• Carving sets
• Jack planes
• Flush-cutting saw
• Handheld saws

Zerust vapor storage capsules, which contain a vapor corrosion inhibitor, can be placed inside your existing storage container to help keep your woodworking tools rust-free. The molecules in these capsules attach to the metal on your tools, creating a powerful barrier to rust. They are easy-to-use, non-toxic and can offer up to two-years protection. We have a number of vapor capsule options that can cover anywhere from a 1-foot radius to a 6-foot-radius, which means these are a good rust prevention choice if you aren’t looking for individual tool covers.

Multipurpose VCI Poly Bags for Woodworking Tools

These are a great rust prevention aid for tools of all sizes. Multipurpose VCI Poly Bags can keep your woodworking tools safe from rust for up to five years.

These bags also have vapor corrosion inhibitors, which help to block damaging moisture from getting inside when the weather starts to warm. These can be sealed with zip ties, or we have zip closures that can be self-sealed.

Table Saw Covers for Rust Prevention

No wood shop would be truly complete without a table saw. Quality stationary cutting tools are durable and stable, but they are vulnerable to rust.

There are a lot of oils like WD-40 that promise rust prevention, but the problem is you have to apply those repeatedly. (Never use any type of silicone-based product on your table saw, as this has the potential to leave a residue that might interfere with certain wood finishes.)

Winter rust prevention for table saws is better achieved with a table saw cover that is equipped with a long-lasting vapor corrosion inhibitor. Zerust table saw covers have the added benefit of also blocking out mold and dust.

If you are unsure which rust prevention method is best for your woodworking tools, Zerust offers prompt customer service to help answer your question.

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“>Contact Zerust for information on Northeast Ohio tool rust prevention by emailing us or calling (330) 405-1965.

Additional Resources:

A Rust-free Winterized Woodshop, Jan. 3, 2017, By Roland Johnson, FineWoodworking.com

More Blog Entries:

Searching for Rust Protection? Look no further…, Dec. 29, 2017, Ohio Tool Rust Prevention Blog