Daily Wire Tip Feb. 17: Oiling Steel Mandrels

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 17, 2011

Question:

Should I lightly oil my bracelet and neck mandrels, and my jewelry anvil, to prevent rust?

-Ken in Mason, West Virginia

Answer:

Ken, some folks do lightly oil their steel mandrels to help prevent rust (using any machine oil, including sewing machine oil).

Personally, I prefer to keep mine oil-free, to prevent extra cleaning of both my wire, my fingers, and any stones, beads, etc. at the finish. Instead, I just use a fine grade of steel wool to polish the rust off, whenever any occurs.

What do some of you prefer, as a way to prevent rust on your steel mandrels?

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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18 Comments

1. 

   Linda Overman

   February 17, 2011 at 8:16 am

   Hi Dale like you I prefer not to use oil on my steel mandrels, unless like my mandrel for making collars that I don’t use often. Then when I want to use it I clean the oil off before using it the next time.
2. 

   Robin Lutsky

   February 17, 2011 at 8:18 am

   I use a fine steel wool. Oil gets very messy.
3. 

   Cheryl Dunham

   February 17, 2011 at 10:32 am

   I oil only when I won’t be using them frequently. Otherwise I use the steel wool.
4. 

   Sherry

   February 17, 2011 at 11:26 am

   I usually store mine in a clean, dry place and haven’t had any problem with Rust so far.
5. 

   Kathy Read

   February 17, 2011 at 11:56 am

   I make sure that they are wiped clean and stored in a plastic zip lock bag with a silica pack and they will stay rust free. These little packs come in just about anything you buy. I get them when I buy a new purse or anything metal that is packed in a box.
6. 

   Patricia Whitlow

   February 17, 2011 at 12:28 pm

   If your mandrels are made of polished stainless steel, they should never rust. If you get any rust spots on them they should wipe off as the rust would have come from other metal, not from within the stainless steel, if it is a good grade.
7. 

   Deborah

   February 17, 2011 at 12:34 pm

   Hi Dale I store mine in sealed bags when not in use, it is exposure to the air and moisture that causes the rusting
8. 

   bhenderson

   February 17, 2011 at 12:58 pm

   Wipe steel with a light coating of silicon. It dries and does not smear onto the next project but delays rusting quite well. I spray saw blades, for instance, then wipe away excess. This also makes them slide easily, making sawing or other uses smoother.

   Also,if you save the tiny bags of dessicant in foods, pills and other things you buy, and keep some in your storage place with steel tools, it helps to prevent rust by removing moisture.
9. 

   Tammy

   February 17, 2011 at 2:22 pm

   Hi there

   I don’t know about any one else, but unless you leave your mandrel and bench block out in the rain or any place where there is moisture around then you don’t have to worry about rust or any thing getting on your tools.
   • 

     dalecgr

     February 17, 2011 at 7:16 pm

     Ummm Tammy, it kinda depends on your climate too : )
10. 

    Dawn

    February 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    A great alternative to either oil or steel wool is to soak your mandrel in vineagar overnight (I use white). The rust will come off like a dream. I learned this trick last year when an older lady saw me trying to get the rust off some tools. It really works.
    • 

      dalecgr

      February 17, 2011 at 7:14 pm

      Awesome tip Dawn – thanks! (I am going to try this tomorrow on my bench plate.)
11. 

    Thomas H

    February 17, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    As a long-time user of tools of all kinds, preventive measures are always better than fixes. You should never allow your tools (mandrels in this case) to become rusty. Small areas of rust will eventually become large, and habitual use of steel wool makes adjacent areas more susceptible to rust. Use a fine grade of oil or wax to prevent rust and wipe off any excess. Your tools will last longer. If you wipe your mandrel off with a clean cloth before use, you shouldn’t have any problems with oil on your hands or work.
12. 

    Lynne Clark

    February 17, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Since a piece of chalk is sometimes recommended for stopping tarnish in silver by absorbing the moisture, I think it would be helpful in this situation also. Wipe down the mandrels [to get your skin oils and other contaminants off], place in a Zip Lock bag [the generic ones may not be strong enough], break off some chalk, and place in bag before sealing. Chalk is easy to get also [even when you don’t have any of those silica packs].
13. 

    Johanna

    February 18, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Soaking in vinegar is a great trick for removing light rust, but if you have something REALLY rusty, add some salt to the vinegar. It powers through the toughest rust. Just be sure when you’re finished to wash your object off completely with clear water and dry it really well.
14. 

    aileen

    February 21, 2011 at 3:05 am

    I have an old soft cotton cloth that I add a little olive oil to. Then I just wipe my steel wire and tools with it when I am finished, no rust! It is nice on your hands, never sticky, and good for the environment.
15. 

    Leatherneck_v17

    February 22, 2011 at 4:44 am

    Hi Everybody,

    I live in VA, and believe me if something can rust it will rust here…whether it is inside or outside.

    I am a firm believer in WD-40. If you spray on a soft cloth or paper towel then you can LIGHT coat your tools with it. The WD stands for water Displacement and one of its main ingredients is fish oil; when applied it well penetrate into the metal. Any excess can be wiped off with cotton cloth.

    It has never affected any of my projects in a negative way because you really do not know it’s there if you apply as I have described. Also they make a silicon cloth and it can be found in the firearm section of just about any store and can be used over and over again…I purchased mine at Wal-Mart. The cloth will not leave any excess silicon at all and if you want to wipe behind it with a cotton cloth or micro-fiber cloth it will be just fine.

    There is also another option. Remington has manufactured gun oil that has Teflon in it that is really light weight oil that can be used in the same manner.

    Remember to wipe the metal only… if you get on your grips then they will be slick. But if you do, then dab some Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner on a cloth and it will remove it well; which will also clean metal very well. There are a good number of firearm manufacturers that recommend Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner to clean firearms with. Remember if you clean with Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner then you must coat with something…especially if you live in a high humidity area.

    I have used all of these and have never had a problem with rust or with the products affecting my projects.

    Hope this helps…

    Happy Wiring!!!
    • 

      dalecgr

      February 22, 2011 at 10:16 am

      Hey Leatherneck – thanks for all of your great ideas on how to protect stainless steel from rust – appreciate it!!