I currently have most of my tools all in a large plastic tool bin with a
pretty good snap on lid (in my basement).

I was wondering if it makes any particular sense to install a dehumidifier
in it to protect any power tools I move down to it.

The basement is not "dripping" wet, but the air is a "little" damp feeling
in the summer, and there is some water that comes in a very small amount in
one corner.

Thanks!

--
"It's easier to be terrified by an enemy you admire."
-Thufir Hawat, Mentat and Master of Assassins to House Atreides

Thomas G. Marshall wrote:
I was wondering if it makes any particular sense to install a dehumidifier
to protect any power tools.

The basement is not "dripping" wet, but the air is a "little" damp feeling
in the summer, and there is some water that comes in a very small amount in
one corner.

snip

If you will lay out the cash to buy a dehumidifier and the cash to
install and operate it, your tools, your house and your wife's
olfactories will never know how much they appreciate your effort.

If you do nothing; expect a stink from your basement, your tools, your
house and your wife.

Tom in KY, finding mold in houses that could have been
prevented,,easily.

In Lowe's, in the houseplant section, get an inexpensive hygrometer, maybe
$4. These things are notoriously inaccurate (as are many of the more
expensive ones) so pick one that at least reads near the average of the
others on the rack. If it reads more than 60 percent relative humidity in
your shop (and it probably will) get a dehumidifier. I have what I consider
a pretty dry basement and run one year round. When it has decreased the
humidity below what you've set its humidistat for (about 50 percent RH), it
will shut off. Effective at preventing mold and mildew in your basement as
well. If you have a floor drain, sink or toilet in your basement, or it's a
walkout basement, you can hook the dehumidifier up to a drain hose so you
don't have to continually empty the condensate container. I saw several
serviceable looking dehumidifiers at the local Habitat for Humanity Outlet
Store for a fraction of what new ones cost.

David Merrill

"Thomas G. Marshall" . com
wrote in message news:kjUtf.1253$494.594@trndny07...

I currently have most of my tools all in a large plastic tool bin with a
pretty good snap on lid (in my basement).

I was wondering if it makes any particular sense to install a dehumidifier
in it to protect any power tools I move down to it.

The basement is not "dripping" wet, but the air is a "little" damp feeling
in the summer, and there is some water that comes in a very small amount
in
one corner.

Thanks!

--
"It's easier to be terrified by an enemy you admire."
-Thufir Hawat, Mentat and Master of Assassins to House Atreides

I would vote for the dehumidifier. They don't cost that much and you can
often find one in the classifieds for $50 or less. You will gain much more
than clean tools. If your basement tends toward a little dampness you might
keep mold at bay too.

I doubt that sealing them in a plastic container does that much good. Might
even keep moisture in.

Yes. Water vapor is a gas. It is intimately mixed with the air and goes
wherever the rest of the air goes. Even in a nominally dry basement water
vapor passes through the concrete foundation walls and floor. The relative
humidity in the plastic container will be the same as that of the air in its
surroundings; unless, of course, the container is initially filled with dry
air and hermetically sealed and even that will likely just extend the time
required to reach equilibrium (like the leaking double pane window units in
my 30 year old house to cite an extreme example).

David Merrill

"RonB" wrote in message
newsQVtf.46522$ih5.46229@dukeread11...
snip.

I doubt that sealing them in a plastic container does that much good.
Might even keep moisture in.

"David Merrill" wrote in message
newsJUtf.664217$x96.308750@attbi_s72...
In Lowe's, in the houseplant section, get an inexpensive hygrometer, maybe
$4. These things are notoriously inaccurate (as are many of the more
expensive ones) so pick one that at least reads near the average of the
others on the rack.

Effective at preventing mold and mildew in your basement as
well. If you have a floor drain, sink or toilet in your basement, or it's
a
walkout basement, you can hook the dehumidifier up to a drain hose so you
don't have to continually empty the condensate container.

Get a good one for ten bucks. Since nobody else has mentioned it, the
reason to have one is the _wood_, not the tools. Condensation isn't likely
to be too much of a problem in a basement, but the moisture content of the
wood will sure run on up if you let it. We stored at 40% at school, which
seems pretty good ~8% MC. Anything below 55% is going to be just fine.

George said something like:
"David Merrill" wrote in message
newsJUtf.664217$x96.308750@attbi_s72...
In Lowe's, in the houseplant section, get an inexpensive hygrometer,
maybe
$4. These things are notoriously inaccurate (as are many of the more
expensive ones) so pick one that at least reads near the average of the
others on the rack.

Effective at preventing mold and mildew in your basement as
well. If you have a floor drain, sink or toilet in your basement, or
it's
a
walkout basement, you can hook the dehumidifier up to a drain hose so you
don't have to continually empty the condensate container.

Get a good one for ten bucks. Since nobody else has mentioned it, the
reason to have one is the _wood_, not the tools. Condensation isn't
likely
to be too much of a problem in a basement, but the moisture content of the
wood will sure run on up if you let it. We stored at 40% at school, which
seems pretty good ~8% MC. Anything below 55% is going to be just fine.

Well, a neighbor went through the hassle of setting up a pump to pull the
dehumidifier's water out of the basin up into a P-trap (U-Trap?) that then
connected directly to his big pvc septic pipe. Seemed like a lot of work,
but I'm starting to really think even harder about this one---you guys have
spooked me.



--
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"

Thomas G. Marshall wrote:
I currently have most of my tools all in a large plastic tool bin with a
pretty good snap on lid (in my basement).

I was wondering if it makes any particular sense to install a dehumidifier
in it to protect any power tools I move down to it.

The basement is not "dripping" wet, but the air is a "little" damp feeling
in the summer, and there is some water that comes in a very small amount in
one corner.


There are lots of good reasons to buy a dehumidifier. But if all
you're trying to do is protect your tools, buy a light bulb instead.
Just put a 25 watt light bulb inside your tool chest and leave it on
all the time. You need a couple of small holes in your tool bin to be
sure moisture doesn't get trapped inside. As long as the temperature
inside is a few degrees warmer than the ambient temperature, no
moisture will condense on your tools.

DonkeyHody
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor
judgement."

I agree that a dehumidifier is a good idea in general, as long as your
basement stays above 40 or 50 degrees F. If you just want to protect
your tools, though, you could get a little box of silica gel - I bought
one from Cabelas.com that was intented for gun cases - it can be
'recharged' in an oven. This would be good for a relatively small
enclosed space, and I would argue that it would still be effective even
if the case was not completely sealed.
If you're talking about hand tools rather than power, it's a good idea
to wipe them with paste wax or spray them with topcote (or some other
rust preventative that won't leave oil on your wood).
Good luck,
Andy

I work in an old basement workshop of three connected rooms. It is
damp, but no running water short of a monsoon generally. Since my
furnace/AC is in the basement as well, I installed a closeable louvered
vent in the hot air plenum. I have no more dampness problems summer or
winter, tools don't rust--with a minimum of protection. It is warm in
the winter and cool in the summer so it is always a workable
temperature. In analyzing the energy useage pre and post louver, I can
tell that the cost is minimal. And the biggest gain is the loss of
mold--seen and unseen. The de-humifier cost much more to run, didn't
work as well and was a general nuisance. The furnace and air are new
high efficiency models which help as well. The old furnace was only
about 60% efficient and didn't keep the basement warm, cool or dry
since most of the heat went up the chimney. Plastic containers have
their place, but you still need a dessicant os some sort or tools may
rust in situ. I have used the plastic boxes, but find that I can
better lay my hands on my tools if they are hanging within reach--then
buy a hard hat if you are chrome dome like me! MTBuddha

I work in an old basement workshop of three connected rooms. It is
damp, but no running water short of a monsoon generally. Since my
furnace/AC is in the basement as well, I installed a closeable louvered
vent in the hot air plenum. I have no more dampness problems summer or
winter, tools don't rust--with a minimum of protection. It is warm in
the winter and cool in the summer so it is always a workable
temperature. In analyzing the energy useage pre and post louver, I can
tell that the cost is minimal. And the biggest gain is the loss of
mold--seen and unseen. The de-humifier cost much more to run, didn't
work as well and was a general nuisance. The furnace and air are new
high efficiency models which help as well. The old furnace was only
about 60% efficient and didn't keep the basement warm, cool or dry
since most of the heat went up the chimney. Plastic containers have
their place, but you still need a dessicant os some sort or tools may
rust in situ. I have used the plastic boxes, but find that I can
better lay my hands on my tools if they are hanging within reach--then
buy a hard hat if you are chrome dome like me! MTBuddha