[TheForge] routine maintenance with WD40?

Mon Aug 25 15:10:01 2003

For big stuff like forge, swage block, vise, etc. I use a rust convertor
that gives it a black finish that keeps from rusting for a while. I
occasionally touch it up when any spotting occurs.
Rob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Catherine Jo Morgan" <[email protected]>
To: "'Blacksmithing mailing list'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 8:52 AM
Subject: [TheForge] routine maintenance with WD40?


> I used to follow Francis Whitaker's prescription of spraying just about
> everything in the shop with WD40 every Monday morning. Since WD40 is
> mostly mineral spirits, I'm wondering if this is something I really want
> to breathe so much. What do other people do to keep things like post
> vise, cone mandrel, swage blocks, and small tools from rusting?
>
> The fine measuring tools I keep waxed with Renaissance. I store those in
> a toolbox with rust inhibitors. Same with hammers. I'm gradually moving
> more and more tools into closed boxes with rust inhibitors since this
> works well in Georgia.
>
> That still leaves a lot of iron exposed. If you spray with WD40 the
> weekly spray is mandatory because it's a very temporary solution. For
> longterm protection of course there's the Boeing waxy product and other
> similar ones. But that's not for things that are used often. Years ago I
> was enthusiastic about some woodworkers' products called Dri-Cote and
> Table-Cote, but they produce toxic fumes when exposed to heat, so
> they're not good for a forge.
>
> I'm sure I'm overlooking a good solution. Ideas?
>
> Catherine Jo Morgan
> Morgan Sculpture
> Iron and mixed media vessels
> [email protected]
> 706-754-3812
>
> online artist journal: http://radio.weblogs.com/0120691/
>
>
>
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