On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:18:54 -0500, DanG wrote:

On 8/17/2011 3:19 PM, Herb Eneva wrote:
What is best to apply to wooden shovel and rake handles that stay
outside all year? I just leave the extra tools in the mulch pile and
they are always there when I need them but the weather takes it`s toll.
I tried boiled linseed oil two weeks ago and it still isn`t dry. The
best thing i`ve found so far is used motor oil.
Thanks for any advice

Herb, use the boiled linseed oil. Mix it about 3 parts paint
thinner and 1 part BLO. Clean off what you have already applied with
straight thinner to get rid of any sticky undried stuff. Apply a
soaking of the new mix - a rag works well, but wear gloves unless you
don't mind the smell of BLO. Next day, wipe off anything that is not
dry with a clean cloth. Apply another flood coat, wipe off anything not
dry the next day. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

One of the old axioms was:

Once an hour for a day
Once a day for a week
Once a week for a month
Once a month for a year
Once a year for life.

I think you need to leave that last line off if the handles are going
to be outside 24/7. The above gives a great finish to well cared
for tools. But this will work better for the abuse the OPs tools
are being put through;

Fiberglass handle- once until the head wears out. Done.

I feel the OP's pain- and have fiberglass on many of my tools now.

Jim