Care and feeding of old cases

[jrkorman]

My father-in-law gifted me with about 5 (Kennedy) boxes of tools that had belonged to his step-father. Most of
the tools are loose in the drawers but have been easy to clean up. The gentleman retired in the mid 70s so these
tools have seen little or no use in nearly 40 years. My question is, it there a good (best) way of dealing with
the old Starrett boxes?



This is one of several. I've cleaned the boxes but I'm wondering if there is something that can be applied to
preserve the surface. They are quite dry, not brittle yet!
I guess another question to go along with that is, what were these cases covered with?

Thanks,
Jim Korman

 

[Tony Wells]

Usually in the old days leather was used. I use either saddle soap or Mink oil. To clean years of grime off, if you have any vert dirty I recommend GoJo (without the pumice), as it will clean and the lanolin will help nourish the surface.Some say lanolin is not good for direct contact of precision surfaces, but I have not seen any deleterious effects myself.

 

[kvt]

Sadle soap, and many other leather products like my wife uses on sadles. I just swipe some of her stuff.