Steel tools in an oak chest

DS · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 48

Considering the interaction between steel and oak, the way it blackens
the wood, is there any concern about long term storage of steel and iron
tools in an oak tool chest? Since it's affecting the wood, I assume it's
affecting the metal in some way as well. I'm concerned about the tools
really, not the wood.

I'm going to start a new standing tool chest project, and have some
great looking white oak to do it in.
If however, there's an issue with the oak/steel interaction, I can go
with another wood.

Any thoughts?

Archived from group: rec>woodworking

John Grossbohlin · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 71

"DS" wrote in message $yE1.42938@attbi_s21...
| Considering the interaction between steel and oak, the way it blackens
| the wood, is there any concern about long term storage of steel and iron
| tools in an oak tool chest? Since it's affecting the wood, I assume it's
| affecting the metal in some way as well. I'm concerned about the tools
| really, not the wood.
|
| I'm going to start a new standing tool chest project, and have some
| great looking white oak to do it in.
| If however, there's an issue with the oak/steel interaction, I can go
| with another wood.

If moisture was present it could be a problem but sans moisture it shouldn't
be... or the precision tools in my father's approx. 55 year old Gerstner
tool box would be mess by now. http://www.gerstnerusa.com/

Silica gel and other things can be used to control moisture.

John

J T · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 920

Tue, Feb 26, 2008, 1:56am (EST+5) ds1076@gmail.com (DS) doth sayeth:
Any thoughts?

My old man kept his machinest tools in an oak tool chest, probably
for around 30+ years, with no problem. These were precision tools. The
drawers were ined with felt. I don't know if the felt was impregnated
with anything or not. I'd say ask on a metalworking newsgroup.

JOAT
10 Out Of 10 Terrorists Prefer Hillary For President - Bumper Sticker

I do not have a problem with a woman president - except for Hillary.

The Davenport's · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 40

> Any thoughts?
>
> My old man kept his machinest tools in an oak tool chest, probably
> for around 30+ years, with no problem. These were precision tools. The
> drawers were ined with felt. I don't know if the felt was impregnated
> with anything or not. I'd say ask on a metalworking newsgroup.
>
>
>
> JOAT
> 10 Out Of 10 Terrorists Prefer Hillary For President - Bumper Sticker
>
> I do not have a problem with a woman president - except for Hillary.

No need to go to rec.crafts.metalworking...I've been using a Gerstner box
for 20+ years and my father used one for 40 years before that...the felt
that they put in the drawers is just felt with some glue on the back. Same
thing with Kennedy chests. Machinist chests, anyway...mechanics chests are
lined with rubber drawer liner stuff...kinda like router pads.

And if you have to ask what the difference is between a machinist chest and
a mechanics chest, you wouldn't understand. :>

Mike

Lew Hodgett · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 399

"DS" wrote:

> I'm going to start a new standing tool chest project, and have some
> great looking white oak to do it in.
> If however, there's an issue with the oak/steel interaction, I can
go
> with another wood.

Line the drawers with "moleskin" (Colored felt with peel and stick
adhesive on one side), and you should be good to go.

Lew

DS · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 48

John Grossbohlin wrote:
> "DS" wrote in message
> $yE1.42938@attbi_s21...
> | Considering the interaction between steel and oak, the way it blackens
> | the wood, is there any concern about long term storage of steel and iron
> | tools in an oak tool chest? Since it's affecting the wood, I assume it's
> | affecting the metal in some way as well. I'm concerned about the tools
> | really, not the wood.
> |
> | I'm going to start a new standing tool chest project, and have some
> | great looking white oak to do it in.
> | If however, there's an issue with the oak/steel interaction, I can go
> | with another wood.
>
> If moisture was present it could be a problem but sans moisture it shouldn't
> be... or the precision tools in my father's approx. 55 year old Gerstner
> tool box would be mess by now. http://www.gerstnerusa.com/
>
> Silica gel and other things can be used to control moisture.
>
> John

high humidity is always an issue living on the gulf coast.
One thing that has always worked well for me in that regard is Bullfrog
rust preventative.

"Bonehenge · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 244

On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:20:09 -0800, "Lew Hodgett"
wrote:

>
>Line the drawers with "moleskin" (Colored felt with peel and stick
>adhesive on one side), and you should be good to go.

That would look classy, too!

Andy Dingley · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 114

On 26 Feb, 01:56, DS wrote:
> Considering the interaction between steel and oak, the way it blackens
> the wood, is there any concern about long term storage of steel and iron
> tools in an oak tool chest?

Yes, but use liners to avoid contact and you'll be fine. There's no
risk of "vapours", it would need contact.

Mine use lime (basswood / linden) for any "racking" of tools, or
closed-cell polyethylene foam where it's a sheet.

Be wary of wool felt, as it's full of sulphur. Be wary of felts and
porous fabrics in general, if humidity is a problem for you.

Andy Dingley · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 114

On 26 Feb, 04:20, "Lew Hodgett" wrote:

> Line the drawers with "moleskin" (Colored felt with peel and stick
> adhesive on one side), and you should be good to go.

Moleskin isn't a felt, it's a woven cotton with a raised nap on one
side. Feels like felt, but the fibres are different and it's woven
rather than felted (stuck together into an amorphous mat). Moleskin is
more like corduroy, except that real moleskin is harder to find.

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