uses of camphor in the machine shop

[mwumkes]

Does anyone know what the uses for camphor in the machine shop are? I am assuming it is for rust prevetative but have not been able to find anything. Thanks!

[Ian B]

There are some references around - have a look at:

http://www.smokeriders.com/Tech/html/prevention.html

and:

http://www.setsail.com/c_central/techtalk/tools.html

Not being all that keen on the smell of mothballs, I think that I'll stick to WD40...

Ian

[mwumkes]

Thanks Ian B! I appreciate your response. I have some camphor that I thought I would use but checked the web and could only find information on herbal cosmic uses. Not one mention of rust prevention. The web is a fine thing but not all knowledge is posted there. Thank goodness for some of the old machinists books that have information in them that will never be seen on the web.

[jfsmith]

You can get solid camphor at many of the mom and pops drug stores, but you may want to try that Cristal kitty litter in small brown paper bags. The Kitty Litter is silica gel, just like those little packets in electronics and machines from over seas.

The solid camphor does work to keep rust away.

Jerry