Keep your GUNS & TOOLS Rust-Free for pennies day - CAMPHOR.

[CaseHardened]

There are many ways to keep your iron shiny.

Oil / Grease / Cosmoline / Dehumidifiers / Silica Gel

But another, less travelled method, is Camphor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor

This is how it is usually sold: (4) .25 ounce Tablets per wrapped Block.

Take a Tablet, and place it in your Safe, Tool Chest, Ammo Box, and it slowly evaporates leaving an invisible, non-greasy film.

I've found a single tablet last four months in a space about 1 Cubic Yard, which is not sealed very well (think locked File Cabinet).

As far as acquisition goes, I use eBay. I avoid offshore Sellers. I don't trust them, and their Camphor does not seem to be less expensive.

Look to pay about $1 Shipped for a Block of 4 Tablets (as shown).

You will have to buy a pound to a pound and half to get the price to this level, though.

TIP: Beware some Chinese Camphor is sold that have blocks that weigh less than an entire ounce. They look the same, but often weigh .8 of an ounce, hence ripping you off for 20%.

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I've only been using Camphor for a few months. Nothing has rusted yet, but Winter is dry anyways. So I'm not sure it works for me. But I figure it's well worth a try.

Any Reviews from fellow Camphor users ?

 

[Asaltweapon]

Used it back in the 70/80's to keep my machinist tools rust free. Matter of fact the guy I bought my first tools from worked for Henry Ford and the box reeked of it.

Yes. I still have that oak tool box.

BTW, CVS still carries it and it's commonly used in home steam units. Think Vicks Vapor Rub.

 

[Mr.E]

wikipedia says it's flammable with a strong aroma..not sure how good of an idea that is.

 

[swampy]

Camphor oil works great on nail fungus but you shouldn't use it as a stand alone product. Menthol chest rub (Vicks) has the perfect amount to treat yellow toe nails and even athletes feet. It works as a good skin conditioner too.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

The problem is that most "camphor" out there now is Chinese fake. It isn't camphor. It is para-dichlorobenzene. Think moth balls, not Vicks.

If you get real camphor, it costs significantly more than the fake stuff... like $40/lb not $5/lb.

I was looking for camphor for the same reason as the original post, but found that commercial vapor phase corrosion inhibitors cost the same or less than the camphor.

 

[Silversnake]

Not to play nanny state, but use caution if you have very small kids in the house. There were a few deaths about five years back in NY that were attributed to camphor. Granted, these were people that were practically coating their infants in it as some sort of home remedy and, I think, one case of ingestion. Still, good to keep out of reach of the kids, never mind what other toxic cap might be in the cheap Chinese stuff.

 

[CaseHardened]

Not to play nanny state, but use caution if you have very small kids in the house. There were a few deaths about five years back in NY that were attributed to camphor. Granted, these were people that were practically coating their infants in it as some sort of home remedy and, I think, one case of ingestion. Still, good to keep out of reach of the kids, never mind what other toxic cap might be in the cheap Chinese stuff.

Sadly, these are more of a threat right now:

And they probably don't wash worth a damn.

- - - Updated - - -

The problem is that most "camphor" out there now is Chinese fake. It isn't camphor. It is para-dichlorobenzene. Think moth balls, not Vicks.

If you get real camphor, it costs significantly more than the fake stuff... like $40/lb not $5/lb.

I was looking for camphor for the same reason as the original post, but found that commercial vapor phase corrosion inhibitors cost the same or less than the camphor.

commercial vapor phase corrosion inhibitors

Brand Name and Source, please ?

- - - Updated - - -

wikipedia says it's flammable with a strong aroma..not sure how good of an idea that is.

All good things burn.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I was given some units, but this place sells them:

https://www.theruststore.com/Cortec-VpCI-101-Emitter-50carton-P160.aspx

$132 for 50 or about $2.64 each. Claims to be good for 1 cubic foot for about a year (2 years if you don't open the tool box much).

If you search around a bit you can find them for a little more in single quantities. Search for "Cortec VpCI-101".

 

[CaseHardened]

I was given some units, but this place sells them:

https://www.theruststore.com/Cortec-VpCI-101-Emitter-50carton-P160.aspx

$132 for 50 or about $2.64 each. Claims to be good for 1 cubic foot for about a year (2 years if you don't open the tool box much).

If you search around a bit you can find them for a little more in single quantities. Search for "Cortec VpCI-101".

Thanks !

 

[JoseyWales]

I bought a roll of VCI Anti Rust paper from Staples. I wrap up my nice pre-lock Smith & Wessons with it.

http://m.staples.com/BOX-35-lbs-VCI-Anti-Rust-Industrial-Paper-Roll-12-inch-x-200/product_191990

 

[CaseHardened]

I bought a roll of VCI Anti Rust paper from Staples. I wrap up my nice pre-lock Smith & Wessons with it.

http://m.staples.com/BOX-35-lbs-VCI-Anti-Rust-Industrial-Paper-Roll-12-inch-x-200/product_191990

I wonder if you can just lie it down in a drawer, with tools on top of it, and still work.

Because although wrapping up a pistol is no sweat, wrapping up dozens of machinist tools that you actually want to use, in an opaque wrapper, does not work.

 

[CaseHardened]

Uline has a complete pallet of VCI products.

But this one has me puzzled:

The text states "Efficient like mothballs"

So why not use MothBalls ? It's just a weird thing to say.

 

[DrBurnsides]

careful with camphor with certain plastics or rubber.

 

[CaseHardened]

careful with camphor with certain plastics or rubber.

Why ?

 

[DrBurnsides]

It embeds. Crappy plastics get soft in the presence of these things. Not too bad as a vapor phase. But they will embed/penetrate in the plastic/rubber.

 

[Arto]

The Zerust blocks/bags/drawer lners/plastabs are awesome & cheap! order $20 for free shipping
http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/product-category/firearms-ammo-weapons/ http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/product-category/tool-tackle-box-rust-control/

 

[CaseHardened]

The Zerust blocks/bags/drawer lners/plastabs are awesome & cheap! order $20 for free shipping
http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/product-category/firearms-ammo-weapons/ http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/product-category/tool-tackle-box-rust-control/

Finally, a genuine bargain.

Makes me regret buying Camphor.

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[h=4]HOW ZERUST WORKS:
THE ZERUST SHIELD[/h]Zerust works by releasing a harmless, non-toxic, odorless, colorless vapor around your electronics, metal tools and parts. Protective molecules settle on all exposed metal surfaces, forming a very thin protective layer that is just a few molecules thick. This molecular layer inhibits electrochemical reactions on the surface of the metal that cause corrosion. Exposed metal surfaces protected by Zerust benefit from a long-lasting shield against rust, tarnish and corrosion.
Our products do not affect the electrical or mechanical properties, or functionality of the metal components they protect. In fact, they actually help improve reliability by preventing corrosion damage that is too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Zerust products are completely hassle-free, require no maintenance and provide up to five (5) years of rust and corrosion protection.

 

[-B-]

I have used z rust for a few years in a few of my tool cabinets it seems to do the job well

 

[Arto]

works great on turbines, generators, gearboxes, gun lockers, etc
plast-tabs for reloading die boxes, etc

 

[mikeyp]

Have you guys used these from the site?

 

[Arto]

those are them - there's a little pill inside the sponge - it gives off the VCI vapors for a year or 2 -

the front row size are good for your gun lockers/ tool boxes - the big ones are great for your Steam Turbines & Generators

there's a sizing chaht for the protection zone: http://www.zerustproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Vapor-Capsules-InfoSheet.pdf

{p.s. be sure to get $20 worth 'cuz the shipping costs more than the product}

 

[Upland]

A good trick is to put a couple of charcoal briquettes in your tool boxes. Charcoal is not a rust inhbiter,it works because it absorbs moisture.

The zerurust products look good.