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Machinery storage opinions welcome

I have sold my shop and decided to put my lathe and mill in our garage rather than construct a building in the back . We have some humid days here in western Ky. and I'm worried about rust since the wife will opening the garage door often. What I hope will work is to spray down the machines with Ezzox or something once a week and keep a bed sheet over them . Thoughts ?
 
I have sold my shop and decided to put my lathe and mill in our garage rather than construct a building in the back . We have some humid days here in western Ky. and I'm worried about rust since the wife will opening the garage door often. What I hope will work is to spray down the machines with Ezzox or something once a week and keep a bed sheet over them . Thoughts ?

STA-BIL (22001) Fogging Oil - Stops Corrosion In Stored Engines - Lubricates And Protects Cylinders - Coats Internal Engine Components - For All 2 and 4 Cycle Engines, 12 oz. https://a.co/d/i9fw0E2

My favorite of all I tested. Cover with a plastic tarp for dust.
 
A lanolin based anti-corrosion spray will work well. My shop was in a high humidity/non-climate controlled building. Corrosion-X worked great. It does have a film thickness and viscosity that make it less than ideal on box/V ways but a spray and wipedown with a thin oil prior to operation solves any issues. I kept all my R8 and Cat40 tool holders/spare chucks/vises coated with it and it worked very well.
 
if you have a concrete floor do not let your covering extend to the floor, it will condensate under it, if it's a dirt floor don't worry, ask a motorcycle guy or gal what happens to a covered motorcycle, they rust.
 
I have sold my shop and decided to put my lathe and mill in our garage rather than construct a building in the back . We have some humid days here in western Ky. and I'm worried about rust since the wife will opening the garage door often. What I hope will work is to spray down the machines with Ezzox or something once a week and keep a bed sheet over them . Thoughts ?
My only concern:
Dirt floor in garage? If so the machinery should be sold.
 
I installed a heat pump, I'd just about keep a spare one on hand just in case it quit working. Very affordable to run year round
 
S100 corrosion protectant. It’s an aerosol can. Should be around $13-14 bucks a can. It stays put. Local bike shop, Amazon, didn’t check but probably eBay, etc.

As a bike guy covered is rust. Harley Davidson stores have sold it for years.

Waverly
 
Dont cover it! It will trap moisture and accelerate rust. Spray wax or rust preventative. Be prepared to remove what ever coating you put before you use the machine again.
 
Dont cover it! It will trap moisture and accelerate rust. Spray wax or rust preventative. Be prepared to remove what ever coating you put before you use the machine again.

In a perfect world I would say that that would be the solution. The only problem is if you're in a dusty environment. I might suggest a plastic tarp that's not actually touching the machine but covers it from dust. Ask me how I know...

The corrosion preventer's and fogging sprays are quite effective at preventing the rust. I've been very impressed. But the machine can get all kinds of crap in nooks and crannies and if I were storing in a dirty environment I would probably make some 2x4 standoffs or bridge the top with 2x4s and then cover it with a plastic tarp just to keep stuff off the machine.
 
A good dehumidifier is about 200 bucks and you can run the hose from it to outside so you don’t have to screw around with emptying the drain. I have two different shops and a Reloading Room and I have dehumidifiers in all three and I’ve had no rust problems.

And that’s in southern Mississippi

Also, insulate your garage door. Be amazed at the difference that makes for the interior temperature when you’re working in there.
 
I started my business in one half of a two car garage here in the south. Once wiped down I mostly had to worry about what I touched. Humidity isn't the biggest problem. It's condensation from the temperature change. You might consider putting in a mini split system. It would moderate conditions.
 
I started my business in one half of a two car garage here in the south. Once wiped down I mostly had to worry about what I touched. Humidity isn't the biggest problem. It's condensation from the temperature change. You might consider putting in a mini split system. It would moderate conditions.
That's what I did. I keep it set on 75° 24-7 and it hasn't raised the power bill much at all. The newer inverter heat pumps are super efficient.
 
Just me(grew up in a contractor family) but would probably blow out,preferably a gable end of the garage,with a VERY MODEST add-on. Think laundry room size.... dbl doors and whatever HVAC required,and wouldn't blink.

Good luck with your project.
 
A friend of mine’s father just had his shop burn down. Insurance will cover the building, but he lost a lifetime of tools (including his lathe and end mill from the pictures I saw).

If you decide not to keep these tools, this man may be in the market. No idea really, just floating it out there in case the stars might align for both yours and his interests.
 

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