My scroll saw got left in the rain!!! Is this really bad??

[Ives]

I don't usually leave it out on the balcony, and rain doesn't even usually get on the balcony, but I just found my scroll saw on the balcony and all wet! What do I do?

(I need a workshop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[Steve Maskery]

Don't switch it on!
Put in the airing cupboard for a fortnight and then see.
S

 

[Ives]

A fortnight????!!!!! Oh no!!!!!!

 

[paultnl]

Put a bowl of uncooked rice in there to help absorb the moisture

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Upend it and turn it over once in while, just to make sure there's no water lodged anywhere.(while it's drying somewhere warm)

 

[theartfulbodger]

If it was me I'd dry as much water off as possible, maybe using SWMBO's hairdryer on a cold setting and then I'd squirt lashings of WD40 into all the nooks and crannies.

Airing cupboard is a good idea, that will help to evaporate all the water inside the machine

 

[yetloh]

Don't switch it on!
Put in the airing cupboard for a fortnight and then see.
S

I can just imagine the reception that suggestion would get in my household!

Jim

 

[Blister]

Prop it up on top of a radiator and turn it 180 degrees ever couple of hours until its dried out

 

[Digit]

Water has no effect on such electrical items at all Ives, if you do not run them wet! A hot air dryer etc should solve the problem as suggested.

Roy.

 

[TheTiddles]

Take it apart down as small as you can and dry everything out, leave metal work somewhere warm and use loads of WD40

Aidan

 

[Eric The Viking]

WD40 really does chase water off steel (it's about the only thing it does well!). It will inhibit the formation of rust, and later, when everything is dry, you can clean it off and replace with proper wax.

The one thing I would check CAREFULLY is the non-business end of the motor. Water on the carbon brushes of the commutator can cause some damage. As long as you hairdryer it fairly soon you should be OK. If it's an induction motor, there are no brushes to worry about.

E.