How do I keep my tools clean?

[clockwork]

What do you use to clean your tools, blades and all? Are there parts that you oil regularly to keep them running smooth?

[clockwork]

Anyone? I've been looking for products. Outside of brushing off the sawdust I'm not sure what else to do. Sears has this product. Good? Bad?

[lordtodd75]

Don't use them  sorry I have nothing really helpful to add.

[ScottS]

I think one of the woodworking magazines did a review of cleaners or rust-preventors a couple of years ago. Might have been Wood or Fine Woodworking. Don't remember exactly what they found but I seem to recall that most of the products were pretty useless and the ones that did anything were expensive.

For cleaning saw blades and router bits, Simple Green is often recommended on wood working forums. Just be careful with this stuff: if you use it full strength, it may cause the metal to pit if it's in contact for long enough! I wipe down steel an aluminum with Simple Green before welding and can attest to the fact that it does a pretty good job of cleaning up general grease, oil, and gunk!

Hand planes and chisels I wipe down with camelia oil to keep them from rusing. I got a small bottle for free with some purchase or another. Can't really tell that it does much good, though.

To be honest, I clean my tools and blades at the first sign that they're getting dirty so I'm not sure what you'd use if you have a blade that's really caked with gunk...

[NiteWalker]

For the tools themselves vacuum the dust off frequently (compressed air works great here). For bits and blades I use this. I like the fact that it's a kit and comes with everything needed to clean your bits and blades. As for after the washing, dry thoroughly and give blades and bits a light coat of machine (3in1) oil. Don't soak them, just wipe them with a rag that has some oil on it.

For cast iron surfaces I use Paste wax. Very cheap ($5 a can) and a single can will last probably a few years. I use simple green to clean the cast iron surfaces and dry thoroughly and then coat with wax. When the surface isn't slick anymore I reapply the wax. It should be done on all cast iron surfaces. I have the T-9 and while it works, it doesn't work much better than a $5 can of paste wax.

Other tools are specific about maintenance schedules. The general idea is to vacuum dust and chips away and keep bits and blades clean. If you post what tools you're asking about I can give a better answer instead of a generalized one.

[clockwork]

Thanks. That's really the kind of info I was looking for. Using the oil rag sounds like a good idea. I'm just looking for tips on keeping my tools, blades and bits in particular, as rust-free and sharp as long as possible.

[knave]

My instinct would be to give em a spritz of WD40.  Keep the rust off and shouldn't hurt.