This is an important announcement from Lindstrom for all of us who love
their hand tools. If you live in a high humidity area, or if you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, you will need to take special care of your tools. While I live about 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 1 mile from a salt water bay, I have had almost no perceptible problems with corrosion. And, amazing as it may seem, I am still using my first set of pliers I purchased 10 years ago. Just the same, it is good to know how to prevent problems from occurring.

Text from the manufacturer below is also available as a PDF download.

Connie

CARING FOR LINDSTROM TOOLS IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS

STORAGE
Harsh environments, whether man-made or naturally occurring, can encourage corrosion or surface rust on Lindstrom precision cutters and pliers because the tools are made of high carbon steel for strength and hardness. Unlike stainless steel, high carbon steel is very susceptible to environmental conditions such as high humidity, sea air, oily or sweaty hands, and the presence of soldering or brazing fluxes or solvents in the area where tools are used or stored. Lindstrom recommends using a tool pouch with desiccant to help prevent aggressive growth of corrosion. If you live near the ocean – especially in a humid area – then sea air is a likely culprit for causing rust, and another good reason to employ a zippered pouch and desiccant together for your precision tool storage.

PREVENTATIVE CARE
In addition to the pouch with desiccant pack, you will need to periodically use some light machine oil. One popular consumer brand is “3-in-One” oil, which was also marketed under the trade name “Singer Sewing Machine Oil.” A water displacement spray (such as WD40) may also be used for short-term storage, but will evaporate much quicker than a light machine oil and so should not be used for long-term storage. Each time you use the tools they should be wiped down with a soft, dry (preferably cotton) cloth, then with a soft, well-oiled cloth and stored in the pouch. As an alternative you may also spray tools with a light penetrating oil. This will help delay the inevitable corrosion that naturally occurs over time. Keep in mind that at sea level and/or humid areas you will always be fighting the elements. Humidity and salt air are hard enough alone but together they are really tough on high carbon tools, and tools stored for long periods may need to be examined and re-oiled between uses.

REMEDIAL CARE
When examining your tools, as soon as you notice any rust forming take remedial action by scrubbing it off with either a Scotch-Brite pad, fine steel wool, or even some 400-grit “wet-or-dry” style sandpaper (but without using water, of course). Then perform a dry wipe down followed by an oiled cloth wipe down again as described above. Because the tools are made from high carbon steel they will eventually show some corrosion but when it first appears it is only on the surface and it will not affect the tool’s performance so long as you attack the rust and remediate it immediately.

If you have any questions please write to us at the address below or call our office at 714.921.9950 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays and we are happy to help you.


www.lindstromtools.com
1440 W Taft Avenue
Orange, CA 92865-4138
Tel 714-921-9950 Fax 714-921-9595