Gun Socks for tools

[Charlie]

No this is not a gun thread. I was inspecting my wife's over under the other day and noticed a bit of rust on it. She hadn't used the gun in a few years and I guess the light oil treatment that I put on the gun had worn off. That got me to thinking of buying a gun sock Cabela's Knit Gun Socks
I also thought that that might be an excellent way to store tools. The gun socks are inexpensive and I imagine that you can cut them up and sew them to use as bags to store different tools. I have a few tools that I wold like to keep on the boat and to have extra protection from the salt air. For example a torque wrench, a 24" aluminum pipe wrench and the tool that I don't have that I want on the boat a portable vice. Does anyone have experience with gun socks and or how they would work on boats? I'm going to go ahead and order a few and test them out.

[scotte]

This sounds like a great idea that never occurred to me!

[David M]

Hey Charlie...hows life in paradise?

I give my tools a spray of WD-40 after using them.

[James S]

What is the "active" ingredient in a gun sock...some type of oil I suspect, impregnated into the cloth...is that it!
Does this protect the contents because it surrounds them...or is it the "fumes"?
If it’s the fumes then would a small pillow of the same materials placed in a tool box do any good?
As it is now I use a healthy does of WD-40.

[sandy daugherty]

Plastic baggies topped with a shot of WD-40 for the little stuff, felt pad with WD on the bottom of the tool box. As many stainless tools as I can find, preferably with very hard tips. Soap and water immediately after for hands, elbows and work surfaces, lest the deck leap up and smite thee.

[GordMay]

Many Gun Socks are treated with Silicone Oils. Browning's Gun Sock uses a proprietary Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor.
These products must be in contact with the tool, in order to protect it.


Desiccant sachets do not require contact, to protect tools.
They usually contain Silica Gel*, Anhydrous Calcium Sulfate, Clay (Montmorillonite), or Activated Carbon as the moisture absorbent (sorbent).

* Indicating Silica Gel is the type of desiccant that will turn from blue to pink when saturated.

[delmarrey]

I find that it is tools sitting in an enclosed area without ventilation that get rusty.
WD-40 is my best friend. Also handling tools with wet hands will do the most damage. If it's salt water, you'll have to rinse them ASAP with fresh water and then use the WD-40. Salt will impregnate metals within hours and it takes desalinization to really get rid of it or a continual soaking in oil to keep it under control. e.g. http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/pu...gram/06-02.pdf

The silica gel is a good idea as long as it is not in contact with the metal (inside a plastic cage). And SS tools will rust too with sea water. There has to be enough iron/carbon for heat treat. Surgical tools wear out fast if used on metal (too soft).

[Chief Engineer]

My tools don't rust.....Pats' probably don't either

[Talbot]

A block of camphor in the tool box will help retard rust as the camphor will spread a thin layer over the metal and block the oxygen - a vitall ingredient of rust.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

My tools don't rust.....Pats' probably don't either

Hah....that's great Chief. They get used.

[Charlie]

Mine have been on the boat for about two years now and some of them are just showing signs of rust. Especially the tools that I use infrequently. ( Cheif Engineer) I have a 24" aluminum pipe wrench that I keep on the boat. The jaws are starting to rust a little so I thought why not put it in a gun sock. There are a few others that I don't bering to the boat b/c I am afraid of them getting ruined. Torque wrench comes to mind. that I plan on keeping in the gun socks. I'll let you know how it works -- in acouple of years. Cabelas has a bulk purchase. I need some for my guns -- not kept on the boat -- and I figure I'll use some for the specialized tools. Hopefully they will get a chance to get rusty but it seems like now when I go to the boat its to work not to sail.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

My tools don't rust.....Pats' probably don't either

Then you don't have nearly enough tools

[Chief Engineer]

I am always "tickled" when I go to my auto/truck mechanic and see his multiple Snap-On boxes and his zillion sockets and wrenches.........Snap-on, Mac, and the rest are great salesmen. I carry the same tools my Mentor did...in a 5 gallon pail. I have yet to finds a tool bag that will last more than a year...I've tried most of them.

[Charlie]

I will take a picture of the tool bag that I bought in Oregon next time I'm at the boat. I really like it. I keep all the tools that I use on a regular basis in it and I am able to carry it to the exact spot I am working and usually have the tools that I need. A five gallon bucket is alot cheaper though. The price to usefulness ratio would rate the bucket a best buy.

[scotty]

if you want cheap dehumidification get the crystal kitty litter. then use old socks or panty hose to make bags off it. 10 bucks for 20 lbs