Internal Fire Museum of Power

A perennial problem with heavy lumps of iron in the widely varying air temperatures at this time of year. Engines themselves aren't too bad, not many horizontal suraces where moisture can lie and in my case mostly covered with years of oily grime anyway! But what of machine tools? My lathe bed etc are always kept coated with a film of light oil, but last night I went out into the workshop to find that this had turned 'milky' indicating the presence of water. I wiped off and reapplied but I know it will be back. Any magic solutions out there?

NHH

A heater

I have the same problem, duck oil works well,

http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/SWASDO5L.html

Chris

Try silicone spray lubricant ,Its water resistant and gets into all the areas a squirt from the oil can cant reach.

Alan

Is it better than WD40? I've tried that and it did what it said on the tin - i.e. dispersed water - but did not seem to offer much long term protection. I've also tried something (forget the name) which left a heavy waxy coating - great protection but a pain to clean off when you want to use the machine.

Sadly a heater is not really an option im the corrugated 'non-asbestos cement' garage I call a workshop!

NHH

Hi,
I use wd 40 on the plough all season, and have no rust problems. It sometimes stays outside for several days. The plough gets a spray before being put to bed for the winter, it and the tractor live in an old lorry body. It is always bright and shining when it comes out in the spring.
Regards,
Ploughman

everyone has their own views and preferences Dw40 is agreat product ,but i think the silicone spray is great for this type of thing.I even do my beretta with it. great product for doing the rims of your flywheels with.

Alan

We use around 12 gallons of Duck oil over the winter period, just finished negotiating a bulk price

Works better than anything else we have tried, Ambersil 40+ as a good second best and about half the price.

Tried WD40 but it washes off too quick and then rusts. Duck oil seems to leave a better "coat" but we still have to spray once a week - big sheds and a huge amount of condensation.

P

Like Martin I cover my machines with an old towel/blanket. That and regular use keep them well enough, though last winter was a trial.

see you tomorrow
Roland

We would need a lot of blankets

The cylindrical grinder is only used occasionally and lives under a nice woolly blanket with some Duck oil.

P

I didn't realise you were a man of the cloth Alan

Thanks for all the advise guys. Now I can actually get in to the workshop, most of the engines having moved into new shed, I hope that as crapscatter says, regular use will go a long way towards improving the situation.

NHH

I use Wax Oil never had a problem

Hi Guy's

I don't seem to have a problem with the machinery in my workshop, but it is well insulated so stays considerably warmer than outside with no heating within.

However the engines that live in my detached concrete garage do seem to get very damp, a generous coating of oil and grease seem to keep that at bay though.

Cheers, Gerry.