Tools that are cleaned and stored properly last for decades. Most damage comes from moisture, dirt and being thrown loose into a box. A few minutes after each job keeps edges sharp, joints smooth and rust away.
Clean after use
Wipe metal surfaces with a dry cloth, then a lightly oiled one. Remove sawdust, grease or dried filler before it hardens. For tools that pivot, such as pliers and snips, add a drop of light machine oil to the joint and work it open and closed.
Store them dry and organised
- Keep the toolbox off bare concrete floors where damp collects
- Add a silica gel pack or a stick of chalk to absorb moisture
- Hang frequently used tools on a pegboard so edges do not knock together
- Cover cutting edges with their guards
Deal with rust early
Surface rust comes off with fine steel wool and a little oil. Left alone, it pits the metal and cannot be reversed. Check the toolbox at the start of each season, especially after a humid month, and replace any tool whose cutting edge or locking mechanism is damaged.