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Storage of machine tools

Long-term storage in high humidity

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Clive Barker01/01/2012 17:39:16
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55 forum posts
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I am looking for advice about how to store some of my equipment while I am away for a couple of years. Most of my equipment is in a separate workshop which is part of my garage. This is well ventilated and I have never had problems with rust even after years of storage. However, my largest machine is not in the separate workshop area, but in the adjacent garage area and is more exposed to humidy and rapidly changing temperatures - I suspect the latter being the more significant. The recent mild weather has resulted in a lot of condensation.
 
Anticipating our recent departure for 2 years I am wondering how I can minimise condensation or coat the machine in a protective coating.
 
Do any of you have any suggestions? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks,
 
Clive.
Chris Gunn01/01/2012 18:54:00
459 forum posts
28 photos
Clive, I used to use Shell Ensis coatings to protect new machinery and parts, they have several varieties that will protect your machines for up to 3 years. Just paint it on the machined parts, and wash it off with a solvent after you get back. Google Shell Ensis, and you will see their data.
Chris Gunn
David Littlewood01/01/2012 19:11:25
533 forum posts
Clive,
 
I agree with Chris's suggestion; I use Ensis all the time. In fact, I'm not even sure you need to take any special steps to remove it; it only needs a thin coat, and it has moderate lubrication qualities, just wipe off and add proper slideway oil on moving parts, and leave the rest as is, it will stop/reduce corrosion when in use. It also goes a very long way, I have been using a gallon can for 20 years and there's still at least 3/4 left.
 
David
Clive Barker01/01/2012 19:43:52
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55 forum posts
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Dear Chris and David,
 
Thank you both for your helpful feedback. I will do as you suggest.
 
Clive.
KMP01/01/2012 21:07:33
73 forum posts
2 photos
Clive Hi,

Many years ago we were involved in storing aircraft outside in all winds and weather; this was before the era of cocooning. The technique with "shiny" non stainless surfaces was to coat with the earlier version of the Ensis that has been recommended. One thing to ensure is that you have complete coverage particularly if the surface is likely to experience condensation settling. To provide a little more protection we used a waxed fabric bedded into a second layer of the coating whilst still wet. I noticed on my recently delivered new mill that the surfaces were covered with a waxed (or silicon) paper in the same manner. When done correctly this ensures that condensation cannot form on the surface of the steel and because of the extra layer of insulation is less likely to form on the paper. A simple waterproof cover (plastic tent) will then produce a micro environment and keep off direct leaks etc. Don't seal tightly at the bottom though as some airflow is required to dry out any moisture that does get in. I recently stored my Bridgeport outside for a few weeks in awful weather and despite wrapping with several layers of "pallet wrap" water still got in. Luckily the Ensis and paper did its' job and no damage was done.
Best regards
 
Keith
Bazyle02/01/2012 14:03:40
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6956 forum posts
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An earlier post
http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=29735
pointed out that small ie hoby quantities of Ensis were hard to get. Any update on that?
I use diluted Waxoyle type clear car underbody wax on some things. I also let a jar of it evaporate a bit and use the resulting paste on a rag.
 
BTW never store under plastic as it sweats. Use cotton sheets (decorators floor cloths if not available from the house) as they breathe and provide more insulation for the microclimate.
A bit off topic but If you ever have to store outside under a tarp tent still use the cloth as it catches the drips and mist. Also outside never rely on those new woven plastic tarps for the tent as they are only waterproof while they are still in their sales pack. Use heavy builders plastic sheet to provide the water barrier then use the woven tarp just to provide a UV barrier to stop the plastic deteriorating.
Stub Mandrel02/01/2012 20:06:20
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4318 forum posts
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1 articles
I kept my mini-lathe in an unheated garage for seven months, just spraying it all over with WD40 (t'is what it was originally designed to do - repel water) every few weeks.
 
I wish I had heard of Ensis then.
 
Neil
JohnF02/01/2012 21:34:21
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1243 forum posts
202 photos
Hi when my son moved house a few years back we had to store a Bridgeport and an S & B 1024 lathe for about a year in a rarther poor shed whilst he built a new garage/workshop.
 
We used waxoil sprayed on everything, we gave them two coats with time to dry in between, they were sheeted up with tarpolins and had no real problems.
Clive Barker02/01/2012 22:24:20
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55 forum posts
29 photos
Thanks for your comments Keith, Neil and others and the encouraging reports of your experience - always worth far more than theory.
 
Thanks also for your helpful leads 'Bazyle'. The website certainly had all kinds of helpful products, but they are all very expensive! I suspect that even smallest quantity of 20 L is a large quantity for my kind of usage and is something else to store. Might have to go with the cheaper alternatives suggested by yourself, John and 'Stub Mandrel'
 
Thanks, Clive.
Bazyle02/01/2012 22:30:46
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6956 forum posts
229 photos
Perhaps one of the advertisers flashing away on the right of this page will consider making Ensis available in sensible sizes. There might be a problem with mail order but maybe we could all be walking out of Sandown next year with a can.
Neil Greenaway02/01/2012 22:38:26
75 forum posts
3 photos
Hi,
 
A number of years ago I moved a few items of large workshop equipment - unfortunately the floor in the shed wasnt ready when the truck was moving the machines, so I sprayed everything (well the bright machined surfaces anyway) with aerosol waxoyl and the machines sat outside with just a canvas tarp covering from the weather. The only problem we had was that it was so cold the waxoyl wouldnt spray and we ended up letting the can sit in a jug of warm water for a while. It just wiped off with cloths when ready.
 
Thanks,
 
Neil
ANDY CAWLEY02/01/2012 22:41:17
190 forum posts
50 photos
Is there any chance of a little permently applied warmth. I understand a 40 watt light bulb will supply enough warmth to a sizeable machine tool to keep condensation at bay. I believe small low wattage heaters are available.
This is second hand knowledge picked up from another forum, I pass it on for what it is worth.

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