[Jewelry making - Article 01053] - Re: [Orchid] Rust on tools

[R . E . Rourke]

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    Keep your tools contained where possible with drawer liners that
    inhibit rust. You *must*  also keep a coating of light machine oil,
    beeswax, cosmoline or dry lithium grease on each tool that contains
    iron in humid areas in particular. 

    If rust has set in, have any bench blocks reground- it is unlikely
    that you will be able to restore them to perfectly flat, you can use
    micro-polishing papers, films, etc. on doming punches, bezel punches,
    mandrels etc. if the rust is still light. I would toss the naval
    jelly as the acids it contains etchs the metals deeper than the rust
    and just ruins most jewelry tools in my experience. prevention is the
    best plan. Buy some tool chests, or boxes and create a gasket out of
    rubber gasketing material or just run a small bead of silicone
    sealant around the closures as a quick remedy- not heavy enough to
    prevent a good closure, but enough to prevent ambient humidity from
    getting in where you have no drawers to store your tools and
    equipment. If you have a locker, or drawers, you can use the liner,
    seal any gaps, holes, etc around handles, hardware etc. the more
    moisture you prevent entering the better condition your toolswill
    remain. I coat everything, even stored tools and equipment with a
    light oil if I use them frequently ( not burs or drills though) or
    cosmoline if I use them less frequently. I also recoat after using.
    It is easier to clean the precious metal workpiece in acetone to
    dissolve dirts and oils than to remove all oils, lubricants etc.
    before using them. One man that was frequenting Orchid to promote
    his product came up with a polymer coating that is effective to some
    degree, but has many drawbacks, nonetheless, a small amount applied
    to your tools and equipment does help - but is far more expensive
    than simply using a non-penetrating (W-D40 contains petroleum
    distillates that when combined with oily rags in a closed or open
    container poses a greater fire hazard than say, a light vegetable
    based oil ).
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