I encountered a hint on-line about how to protect 'outside' equipment. (don't remember the link, it was on a machining forum)
I have a NEW bench vise mounted on a short section of old power pole that is outside the fully-enclosed portion of my shop. It's 'under roof', but pretty-much exposed to weather in this open work barn. I was worried about its rusting (like the old one did). So I looked around for solutions, and found this:
I took an old tee shirt, and impregnated it with enough clean engine oil to make it only 'slightly' oily to the touch, but fully-impregnated. I used a combination of oil and some mineral spirits to limit the amount of actual oil in the fabric.
After the min-spir dried, I draped it over the vise. It's still porous enough to 'breathe', but it repels moisture. After five weeks in the 'open', the vise hasn't rusted a bit! Light wind-blown rain mist has fallen on the covered vise twice, and still not a sign of rust.
This might help some folks who have tools exposed to outside humidity, but who want to preserve them.
Lloyd
Protecting exposed tools
Moderators: richardh08, Boophoenix, Lloyd
Protecting exposed tools
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Re: Protecting exposed tools
Good call Lloyd I will be trying this as the WD40 works but leaves a patina on the lathe no rust but yours sounds a little less expensive.