Any feeler gauges that don't rust?

[BigD1]

Have two different sets of feeler gauges that I bought almost a year ago, and both of them are starting to rust. One set is NAPA service tools brand, and the other is OEM brand. I keep them stored in a drawer inside the house to keep them out of elements much as possible.

They have a light coating of oil, but that does not stop the rust. Do I have to keep these dang gauges submerged in oil to stop the rusting?

I know they don't cost an arm and leg to buy, but is there any sets out there that don't rust, or can stand the test of time better than what I have now? I need metric and SAE, and I don't like gauges that skip because that's the one I usually need.

 

[daman]

I keep mine covered in wd40 and put in a zip lock sandwich bag.

 

[Chris142]

That's weird. Mine never rust. I have found ones my dad stashed away back in the 80's and they are fine. Maybe it's due to the 10w40 that's coating them?

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by Chris142
That's weird. Mine never rust. I have found ones my dad stashed away back in the 80's and they are fine. Maybe it's due to the 10w40 that's coating them?
Cheaper alloy = less corrosion resistance. Living in the desert illegally riding the side by side also helps.

 

[BigD1]

I keep a light coating of Remington Rem oil on mine, but that's not good enough it seems.

 

[Trav]

Search Amazon for stainless feeler gauges and this is one example.

https://www.amazon.com/Sydien-0-05-...p;keywords=stainless+steel+feeler+gauges

Top names if they even make them will be close to $100, inexpensive gauges should be checked with a good micrometer stainless or not.
Put silica gel packets in the bag you store the ones you have now.

 

[Warstud]

Thanks for mentioning this....I bought a set a few years ago and kept them in the basement. I checked them after reading this post and there starting to rust already. I'm coating them with Olive Oil as I speak.

 

[bubbatime]

Coat them with oil, store them in a sandwich bag, done.

 

[JHZR2]

I let the oil from valve adjustments coat mine and they stay OK. The ones that didnt get oil do rust...

 

[E150GT]

I use mineral oil on my straight razors. Keeps 'em from rusting and they live in The bathroom.

 

[Linctex]

Lightly oiled, and wrapped in a cheesecloth lightly soaked with cosmoline.

No problems, even in Texas humidity.

 

[Number_35]

Way back in the day I had a set of brass feeler gauges that didn't rust. They were used setting the reluctor gap on Mopar electronic ignition. A ferrous metal gauge was not recommended as it could mess with the ignition somehow.