On Thu, 5 Jul 2007 18:15:10 +0000 (UTC), (Dave
Martindale) wrote:

Too_Many_Tools writes:

One approach for seldom tools is to find an paraffin (wax) heater at a
thrift store...it is used for skin care.

You melt wax in the heater and dip your taps and dies in it. WIth the
wax coating, there will be no rust.

If you want a somewhat thinner coating of wax, you might try a trick
used by machine knitters (my wife is one): Dissolve some


How much?


paraffin wax
in pure alcohol (e.g. the 99.5% pure isopropyl alcohol that pharmacies
carry). Use this as a cleaning solution for the tools. The alcohol
dissolves all the old oil, grease, and gunk. When you're done cleaning,
leave the tools to air dry. The alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a
thin wax film that protects the surface until it's used next.

And then there is LPS-3, a spray that leaves behind a *thick* waxy
coating.

Dave