On Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:50:53 -0700, Malathan
wrote:

As I am just starting out, I don't know all the ins and outs of caring
for tools. In the past, I have just let tools sit in garage. As
result, I have found rust of a few of my tools, such as screw drivers
and pliers.

I have slowly gotten into woodworking. Slowly as in have some money
for tools OR wood, but not both. So I am at that stage of collecting
tools (the best part of woodworking, right?), and am wondering what is
the proper way of caring for tools? This includes hand tools and
power tools? What about cast iron table saw tops?


Thanks in advance,

- Clayton


Sounds like you have a moisture issue. Keep your tools in air-tight
boxes or cases when not in use. Wipe them occasionally with a rag
that has a few drops of kerosene in it. There are special sprays you
can use on the saw table tops, or you can polish it using Johnson's
paste wax. I polish my cast iron tops once a month, although weekly
is better. You can put a 3 watt bulb under the cast iron table to
keep it slightly warmer than the surroundings--that will help drive
moisture away.