Router bit cleanup question

[Ed62]

What does anyone do when they get light rust on their router bits? I have light rust on many of mine after a fall/winter/spring in the garage (unheated, plenty of gaps and cracks in the siding, a couple missing panes of glass).

Jim

When I bought a set of router bits, they came with very light rust on them. I just used steel wool to clean them up. Then I wiped down the shanks with a rag, which had just a little oil on it.

Ed

[RAFlorida]

jziegler, just my 2 cents worth:

When I know I'll not be using the bits for a while, (months...) I get a wrag damp with oil and rub the bits in it. When I'm ready to use that bit again I will use carb cleaner or another solvent to remove the oil film. That procedure has kept my bits from rusting; like you, my work shop dose not have humidity control other than the ol' sun. BTW, couple of times had to remove some rust from the shanks. I used steel wool and/or 600 cloth.

[LCHIEN]

What does anyone do when they get light rust on their router bits? I have light rust on many of mine after a fall/winter/spring in the garage (unheated, plenty of gaps and cracks in the siding, a couple missing panes of glass).

Jim

I don't think a light coating of rust on the bit body will hurt much, as previously stated the carbide tips do the cutting and they won't rust. The steel body will rust but it doesn't contact the wood, only holds the carbide so light rust is not an issue. mainly a cosmetic issue; you can clean it off if you want. Like I said, clean off the dust prevents trapping moisture and pitch and a quick spray of WD-40 should help slow the rust. Keep them in a box with some of those silica gel packets will also keep the moisture at bay.

[jziegler]

What does anyone do when they get light rust on their router bits? I have light rust on many of mine after a fall/winter/spring in the garage (unheated, plenty of gaps and cracks in the siding, a couple missing panes of glass).

Jim

[Bill in Buena Park]

...OTOH the paint on router bits serves no real purpose in my opinion, its just a marketing thing.

Loring, I was thinking that the paint on bits, kinda like paint on cars, is an attempt at rust prevention, being steel under the paint - or is that really negligle in this case? Yes, makes 'em look nicer too...

[LCHIEN]

That's interesting Steve - why mineral spirits for the collet? Do you get much residue on the collect?

Similar to Loring, my "cleaner" of convenience for so far has been WD40 - just enough to remove the residue & clean the bearings, but wiped down well to remove excess.

On other cleaners mentioned here - denatured alcohol, carb cleaner, kerosene - would any of these impact the color-coated surfaces of the bit?

carb cleaner might, but i would not think alcohol or kerosene would harm paint. Basically carb cleaner is designed to remove the varnish that is left behind by gasoline.

OTOH the paint on router bits serves no real purpose in my opinion, its just a marketing thing.

[Bill in Buena Park]

I know this is slightly OT. But, when I switch collets, I put the other one in a small jar with mineral spirits.

Steve

That's interesting Steve - why mineral spirits for the collet? Do you get much residue on the collect?

Similar to Loring, my "cleaner" of convenience for so far has been WD40 - just enough to remove the residue & clean the bearings, but wiped down well to remove excess.

On other cleaners mentioned here - denatured alcohol, carb cleaner, kerosene - would any of these impact the color-coated surfaces of the bit?

[scmhogg]

I know this is slightly OT. But, when I switch collets, I put the other one in a small jar with mineral spirits.

Steve

[tewilk]

I use kerosene

I read somewhere to use kerosene and seems to work pretty good to me.

[BobSch]

Hi, this is my first posting, glad to be here. I don't know if it's taboo but I spray my bits with carburator cleaner and hit it with a toothbrush before putting them away. I haven't seen any ill effects yet other than maybe it causes loose paint on them to come off but it would have anyway.

Let me know if this is a bad thing,
Thanks

Dave, Let me be the first to welcome you to the boards!

I've never tried carb cleaner, but it sounds like it would work. Have to try it. Have to re-lube the bearings, but that's not much of a problem.

[kevincan]

I have not cleaned up any of my router bits except for maybe blowing off any dust on them. Thinking about it now it is a good idea. Thanks for all the cleaning tips so far.

Kevin

[David@GeaugaHomes.com]

Quick bit cleanup

Hi, this is my first posting, glad to be here. I don't know if it's taboo but I spray my bits with carburator cleaner and hit it with a toothbrush before putting them away. I haven't seen any ill effects yet other than maybe it causes loose paint on them to come off but it would have anyway.

Let me know if this is a bad thing,
Thanks

[smorris]

I look at them when I pick one to use and when I'm done and clean as necessary. Which often turns out to be when I'm done with it depending on what I was using it on. I just use denatured alcohol and a rag with a little scrubbing.

[Bruce Cohen]

I clean my bits after every use, but then again, I have my socks arranged by color in assending order. My wife is starting to refer to me as "Monk". A little bit, well maybe just more than a little OCD is good for the soul.

Bruce

[footprintsinconc]

voted occasionally, when i see they are getting dirty.