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Shop Tip #224
© Frank Ford 2006; Photo by FF

This is a classic Japanese style tool oiler. In this case it's nothing more than a tightly rolled up piece of cotton bed sheet and a cylindrical holder. The holder could be just about anything, a cylindrical pill bottle, a piece of PVC pipe with a cap or whatever.  I made mine of rosewood, which is what I had lying around, and sealed it inside with epoxy.  I just pour about a half inch of thin oil (usually WD-40) in the bottom, and slowly shove the roll inside. As the oil gets used up, l add more by dripping it right on the top of the applicator.

It couldn't be any simpler to use. I simply wipe the surface of my hand tool before putting it away, and I get a nice smear of thin oil. Works great on any kind of saw blade, chisel, knife, milling cutter, etc.  Sure it gets dirty sitting out all the time, but all I have to do is squirt some oil all over the applicator, wipe it with a paper towel, and I'm good to go for another year.