pennies prevent rust? what say ye?

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 20:52:07 GMT, "Michael Daly"
<[email protected]> scribbled

>On 2-Dec-2003, "mttt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Penny Facts:
>
>Make that "US penny facts". Other countries pennies can
>be different compositions.

Canuckistani penny facts from the Royal Canadian Mint web site:

Today's one cent coin, modified in 2000, is made of copper plated
steel (94% steel, 1.5% nickel, 4.5% copper). From 1997 until 2000, it
was made of copper plated zinc. Prior to 1997 the one cent coin was
98% copper, 1.75% zinc and .25% other metals.

Luigi
Replace "no" with "yk" for real email address

No particular reason for the quarter. That's just what he used.

"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> CW wrote:
>
> > weighed it. It was so close to the weight of a standard quarter that
> > manufacturing variation could account for the difference. The quarter
was
> > indeed smaller in diameter as shown in the picture but it was somewhat
> > thicker than normal.
>
> Any reason why it works on a quarter as opposed to something else, or does
> it work on a variety of things?
>
> Not that I would ever get motivated to build one of those things anyway,
> mind you.
>
> --
> Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
> Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
>

Or build a nice fast pulse generator and shrink the penny shirt button
size...

http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211.fall2000.web.projects/r.pace/!shrinking.html

-Bruce

> FWIW
> Cool experiment the chem teacher in the classroom next to mine had his
> students do. Take a copper clad penny and, using a triangular file, file
> several holes through the copper on the edge around the periphery of the
> penny. Place in glass beaker and cover well with muriatic(hydrochloric)
> acid( IIRC they used about 50 ml.). Careful of the fizz. Let set a day or
> so. If all goes as planned, the acid will 'eat out' the zinc inside and you
> have a hollow penny.
>
> Larry


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Toller wrote:
>
> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Neither. Just plain silly. Even if they were copper, why would copper
> absorb moisture? Even if they could, how much could they absorb, and why
> wouldn't they be saturated when you got them?

Hey, you can introduce logical deduction into these kinds of
discussions can you? It isn't fair.

Toller wrote:
>
> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Neither. Just plain silly. Even if they were copper, why would copper
> absorb moisture? Even if they could, how much could they absorb, and why
> wouldn't they be saturated when you got them?

How many of your tools have copper alloy parts? Do they rust?

It'll work on most any metal. The _huge_ magnetic field
crushes the material. The items are still the same volume (no increase
in density) but the illusion is cool!
It's a one shot deal however, the magnetic coil explodes like a small
bomb when it is hit with the current.
-Bruce


Silvan wrote:

>
> Any reason why it works on a quarter as opposed to something else, or does
> it work on a variety of things?
>
> Not that I would ever get motivated to build one of those things anyway,
> mind you.
>
> --
> Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
> Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/


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-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

I have no copper in my tool box. No rust at all. I figure
it is the lack of copper in the tool box that results in no
rust.

solarman wrote:
>
> It is true. Something to do with static electricity and cathodic
> protection. Similar to those solar panels near bridges on the
> freeway keep the steel from rusting... I have had a short length
> of copper pipe in each drawer of my Snapon box since it was
> new.... NO rust on the tools at all.
>
> "Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each
> drawer of your
> > toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the
> copper
> > absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> > prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
> >
> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
> >
> > Frank
> >
> >

Come by my house and try it first. First off, pennies are mostly
zinc-extremely little copper. Maybe you have to go buy some wheat
pennies to do it properly. Better ask him first. Sute hate for you to
screw up a good thing just you "cheaped out" and used a new penny.


On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 15:24:14 GMT, "Frank Ketchum"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of your
>toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
>absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
>prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
>Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
>Frank
>

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 02:16:18 GMT, "afinns" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>Forget the pennies. You may try a charcoal briquette or two in each drawer.
>Charcoal will absorb the moisture.
>
>Or you can get some packets of silica, just like you see in packing
>material. Usually packed with metal objects, and shipped from overseas. I
>think you can get them at hardware or packaging/shipping stores, like UPS.


I have used large pieces of chalk in a toolbox that works.

Bruce Rowen wrote:

>> so. If all goes as planned, the acid will 'eat out' the zinc inside and
>> you have a hollow penny.

> Or build a nice fast pulse generator and shrink the penny shirt button
> size...

Too cool! But in either case, I think it's illegal to deface money.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

In article <[email protected]>,
mttt <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Lawrence A. Ramsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>>
>> Come by my house and try it first. First off, pennies are mostly
>> zinc-extremely little copper.
>
>Hmm - you're contradicting NASA.
>
>Penny Facts:
>1. The composition was pure copper from 1793 to 1837.
>
>2. From 1837 to 1857, the cent was made of bronze (95 percent copper and 5
>percent tin and zinc).
>
>3. From 1857, the cent was 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving
>the coin a whitish appearance.
>
>4. The cent was again bronze (95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc)
>from1864 to 1962. In 1943, the coin's composition was changed to zinc-coated
>steel. This change was only for the year 1943 and was due to the critical
>use of copper for the war effort. However, a limited number of copper
>pennies were minted that year.
>
>5. In 1962, the cent's tin content, which was quite small, was removed. That
>made the metal composition of the cent 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc.
>
>
>
>On the other hand - the US Mint supports your assertion that the current
>circulating pennies are copper clad Zinc. Maybe this happened after 1963...
>

Ayup. Sometime in the 80's, as I recall. There is a *legal*requirement*
that the face value of any U.S. coin, when produced, be higher than the value
of the metal(s) used to make it. The price of copper had risen to the
point where there was 'nearly' one cents worth of copper in a penny, and
the price of copper was still climbing. Thus, something *had* to be done.

Zinc is cheaper than copper. Considerably so.

Modern pennies have a fairly thin layer of copper/tin cladding over a zinc
core.

"mttt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lawrence A. Ramsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> > Come by my house and try it first. First off, pennies are mostly
> > zinc-extremely little copper.
>
> Hmm - you're contradicting NASA.

FWIW
Cool experiment the chem teacher in the classroom next to mine had his
students do. Take a copper clad penny and, using a triangular file, file
several holes through the copper on the edge around the periphery of the
penny. Place in glass beaker and cover well with muriatic(hydrochloric)
acid( IIRC they used about 50 ml.). Careful of the fizz. Let set a day or
so. If all goes as planned, the acid will 'eat out' the zinc inside and you
have a hollow penny.

Larry

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> That works ... till the oil evaporates.

Try naval jelly. =)

> Never heard of it in a toolbox but it's not impossible under the right
> conditions. Two dissimilar metals in a saline solution can result in a
> current flow and eating away of one of the metals ... historically plays
> hell with boat propellers.

Most newer outboards contain zinc sacrificial anodes attached to the lower
unit. Modern props are usually aluminum or stainless steel (and even some
plastic composite ones floating around out there). Not sure what all they
have for the saltwater environment, though....

I run watercooling in one of my computers. People cringe at the thought of
water mixing w/ electronics. However, distilled de-ionized water poses
little risk to electronics simply because it is a poor conductor in that
state.

I keep tools in my jar of pennies to keep my pennies from rusting. :)

"I suspect that the tool corrosion could be due to the dissimilar
> metals in the tool box reacting with moisture and salt to produce a
> mild acid, enough to get a small current flowing and over time cause
> corrosion."

I think you may have taken some mild ACID :)
What salt are you talking about? How can you have a current flowing? Am I
missing something?



"IIRC"

Is that a newly discovered element? Never heard of IIRC on the periodic
table.

I just spray my tools with a very light coat of oil and Voila, no rust.




"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of
your
> > toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
> > absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> > prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
> >
> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Frank,
>
> A few have danced close but I don't think anyone has nailed it yet.
> So here's my two cents...
>
> I suspect that the tool corrosion could be due to the dissimilar
> metals in the tool box reacting with moisture and salt to produce a
> mild acid, enough to get a small current flowing and over time cause
> corrosion. IF the pennies work to reduce rust it is probably because
> of the zinc content, not the thin copper plating. IIRC it is the
> metal with the most available electron slots in its outer shell in the
> atom. Zinc has more than most metals so it is the preferred choice
> for a sacrificial metal.
>
> You might consider stopping by your local marine supply store and
> picking up a zinc block if corrosion is a problem for you. Cost about
> a buck or two - more than a few pennies but it should work better (if
> this theory is correct) because they are not wearing a copper coat
> like the pennies.
>
> -Chris

when working at GE Nuclear I cringed when I looked down into a huge
water-filled chamber brimming with electrical devices and lights! I
asked how can they do that, and as you've already guessed, it was filled
with DI water.

dave

mrdancer wrote:

> "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>That works ... till the oil evaporates.
>
>
> Try naval jelly. =)
>
>
>>Never heard of it in a toolbox but it's not impossible under the right
>>conditions. Two dissimilar metals in a saline solution can result in a
>>current flow and eating away of one of the metals ... historically plays
>>hell with boat propellers.
>
>
> Most newer outboards contain zinc sacrificial anodes attached to the lower
> unit. Modern props are usually aluminum or stainless steel (and even some
> plastic composite ones floating around out there). Not sure what all they
> have for the saltwater environment, though....
>
> I run watercooling in one of my computers. People cringe at the thought of
> water mixing w/ electronics. However, distilled de-ionized water poses
> little risk to electronics simply because it is a poor conductor in that
> state.
>
>

Chrome plant I worked in plated nickel over steel, flashed chrome over the
nickel. No copper used at all.

Rick

<Bridger <[email protected]> wrote in message > most chrome plating on steel is
put on over a layer of pure copper,

In article <[email protected]>, "mttt" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>5. In 1962, the cent's tin content, which was quite small, was removed. That
>made the metal composition of the cent 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc.
>
And it changed to copper-plated zinc in 1982. Composition is currently 97.6%
Zn, 2.4% Cu.

http://www.treasury.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/lincoln-cent.html

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

I've also heard that if you put a 3-way light bulb on the dashboard of your
car, it scatters the radar beam and the cops can't get your speed right.

-JBB

"Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of
your
> toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
> absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Frank
>
>

Forget the pennies. You may try a charcoal briquette or two in each drawer.
Charcoal will absorb the moisture.

Or you can get some packets of silica, just like you see in packing
material. Usually packed with metal objects, and shipped from overseas. I
think you can get them at hardware or packaging/shipping stores, like UPS.
--
Al Finnical

"...I am truly skeptical of all that I have said..."
- K. Bergquist

"Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of
your
> toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
> absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Frank
>
>

On 2-Dec-2003, "mttt" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Penny Facts:

Make that "US penny facts". Other countries pennies can
be different compositions.

Mike

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 04:25:39 +0000, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> scribbled

>On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:47:22 -0800, Luigi Zanasi <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>Today's one cent coin, modified in 2000, is made of copper plated
>>steel
>
>Same for the UK.

Did you guys switch to the Euro without me noticing. I thought you
still had pence, not cents. ;-)

>Like many people, I throw my copper change in a jar. Except that I
>have two jars, one just for the non-magnetic stuff. Then I use it as
>casting bronze, because it's cheaper than buying it.

I gave up on saving pennies a long time ago. I try to get rid of them
ASAP. I do keep my loonies and toonies (one and two dollar Canadian
coins, Keith) in a mineral water bottle. After a year or so, I have a
nice stash to buy something with. But then, I don't feel the need to
have metal on hand so that I can cast bronze when the urge takes me.

Luigi
Replace "no" with "yk" for real email address

"solarman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
|
| It is true. Something to do with static electricity and cathodic
| protection.

I doubt it. You need some kind of electrical connection in any type of
cathodic protection scheme. Just placing metals in close proximity won't
work.

Since there's no DC power source, this would have to be a sacrificial anode
system. And in order for that to work, the anode has to be more
electrochemically active than the cathode. Copper is not a good choice for
a sacrificial anode because it has less affinity to oxygen than many other
metals, including iron. Zinc is a popular choice for a sacrificial anode.

Do you remember the Statue of Liberty restoration several years back? The
copper skin was fine, but the original iron framework had corroded in many
places. The iron was actually the "sacrificial" anode for the copper in
that arrangement.

| I have had a short length of copper pipe in each drawer of my
| Snapon box since it was new.... NO rust on the tools at all.

Is there an electrical connection between your pipe and any of the tools?
If not, then you are probably not employing cathodic corrosion protection.

Is there any visible oxidation on your copper? If not, then the lack of
oxidation of your steel tools is more likely due to the relative absence of
moisture and/or oxygen in your tool chest, not the presence of the copper.

--Jay

In article <[email protected]>,
George E. Cawthon <[email protected]> wrote:
>I have no copper in my tool box. No rust at all. I figure
>it is the lack of copper in the tool box that results in no
>rust.

I combine the lack of copper in my tool box with a dehumidifier in the
corner of the room. I find that the combination of the two works very
well - even during central NC summers.
> ...
--
--henry schaffer
[email protected]

todd wrote:

> electrical connection between the penny, drawer, and tool. Copper might
> be electrically dissimilar enough to induce a voltage when in contact with
> steel, but I'd have to check that out.

It's electrically dissimilar enough to induce a voltage when in contact with
slugs and snails. :)

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

"stoutman" wrote in message

> What salt are you talking about? How can you have a current flowing? Am
I
> missing something?

Yep ... it's called "electrolysis" ... and it'll remove the hair from your
hand, tools.

> "IIRC"
>
> Is that a newly discovered element? Never heard of IIRC on the periodic
> table.

If I recall correctly, it's on the underside of the periodic table, in the
corner between two aprons.

> I just spray my tools with a very light coat of oil and Voila, no rust.

That works ... till the oil evaporates.

Never heard of it in a toolbox but it's not impossible under the right
conditions. Two dissimilar metals in a saline solution can result in a
current flow and eating away of one of the metals ... historically plays
hell with boat propellers.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/21/03

"Lawrence A. Ramsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Come by my house and try it first. First off, pennies are mostly
> zinc-extremely little copper.

Hmm - you're contradicting NASA.

Penny Facts:
1. The composition was pure copper from 1793 to 1837.

2. From 1837 to 1857, the cent was made of bronze (95 percent copper and 5
percent tin and zinc).

3. From 1857, the cent was 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving
the coin a whitish appearance.

4. The cent was again bronze (95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc)
from1864 to 1962. In 1943, the coin's composition was changed to zinc-coated
steel. This change was only for the year 1943 and was due to the critical
use of copper for the war effort. However, a limited number of copper
pennies were minted that year.

5. In 1962, the cent's tin content, which was quite small, was removed. That
made the metal composition of the cent 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc.



On the other hand - the US Mint supports your assertion that the current
circulating pennies are copper clad Zinc. Maybe this happened after 1963...



Damned web...

"Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of your
> toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
> absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?

Frank,

A few have danced close but I don't think anyone has nailed it yet.
So here's my two cents...

I suspect that the tool corrosion could be due to the dissimilar
metals in the tool box reacting with moisture and salt to produce a
mild acid, enough to get a small current flowing and over time cause
corrosion. IF the pennies work to reduce rust it is probably because
of the zinc content, not the thin copper plating. IIRC it is the
metal with the most available electron slots in its outer shell in the
atom. Zinc has more than most metals so it is the preferred choice
for a sacrificial metal.

You might consider stopping by your local marine supply store and
picking up a zinc block if corrosion is a problem for you. Cost about
a buck or two - more than a few pennies but it should work better (if
this theory is correct) because they are not wearing a copper coat
like the pennies.

-Chris

CW wrote:

> weighed it. It was so close to the weight of a standard quarter that
> manufacturing variation could account for the difference. The quarter was
> indeed smaller in diameter as shown in the picture but it was somewhat
> thicker than normal.

Any reason why it works on a quarter as opposed to something else, or does
it work on a variety of things?

Not that I would ever get motivated to build one of those things anyway,
mind you.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 15:24:14 GMT, "Frank Ketchum"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of your
>toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
>absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
>prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
>Anyone hear of this?

Never.

> Old husbands tale or scientific fact?

Just plain stupid.

You should re-evaluate your inventory of friends! lol


Have a nice week...

Trent

Dyslexics of the world ... UNTIE !

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 21:45:54 GMT, Toller wrote:

>> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Neither. Just plain silly. Even if they were copper, why would copper
> absorb moisture? Even if they could, how much could they absorb, and why
> wouldn't they be saturated when you got them?

And that jar of pennies I have in my bedroom sure would dry out the place.
I think you'd be better with some of those silica packs that come with
numerous items.

Shawn

>
> On the other hand - the US Mint supports your assertion that the current
> circulating pennies are copper clad Zinc. Maybe this happened after
1963...
>
You don't believe in first hand experience? Hit one with a file and see the
zinc.

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 00:17:23 -0500, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Bruce Rowen wrote:
>
>>> so. If all goes as planned, the acid will 'eat out' the zinc inside and
>>> you have a hollow penny.
>
>> Or build a nice fast pulse generator and shrink the penny shirt button
>> size...
>
>Too cool! But in either case, I think it's illegal to deface money.


nope. it's just illegal to try to spend it after you do.

> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?

Neither. Just plain silly. Even if they were copper, why would copper
absorb moisture? Even if they could, how much could they absorb, and why
wouldn't they be saturated when you got them?

Jay Windley wrote:

> oxidation of your steel tools is more likely due to the relative absence
> of moisture and/or oxygen in your tool chest, not the presence of the
> copper.

There you go getting all technical and scientific. My tools don't rust
because I have a bobble-head Taco Bell dog hot glued to the toolbox. It
works. Prove it doesn't. :)

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

Bruce Rowen wrote:

> It's a one shot deal however, the magnetic coil explodes like a small
> bomb when it is hit with the current.

Hmmm... Explosions are fun.

Well, they *can* be fun. Depends on where they happen I guess. :)

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 21:19:54 -0800, "Dr. Rev. Chuck, M.D. P.A."
<cdub@_REMOVETHIS_erols.com> wrote:

>Toller wrote:
>>
>> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>>
>> Neither. Just plain silly. Even if they were copper, why would copper
>> absorb moisture? Even if they could, how much could they absorb, and why
>> wouldn't they be saturated when you got them?
>
>How many of your tools have copper alloy parts? Do they rust?


most chrome plating on steel is put on over a layer of pure copper,
mostly because chrome doesn't like to stick to steel, but it will
stick to copper, which will stick to steel. if you cut into that, the
exposed steel *will* rust.

copper alloy parsts- brass and bronze- and for that matter monel-
don't rust because they are non ferrous, not because they contain
copper.
Bridger

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:47:22 -0800, Luigi Zanasi <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Today's one cent coin, modified in 2000, is made of copper plated
>steel

Same for the UK.

Like many people, I throw my copper change in a jar. Except that I
have two jars, one just for the non-magnetic stuff. Then I use it as
casting bronze, because it's cheaper than buying it.

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 15:24:14 GMT, "Frank Ketchum"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each drawer of your
>toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the copper
>absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
>prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
>Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
>Frank
>


Dip the pennies in kerosene first, then they will work.

I didn't remember this guys name until I saw this link. About a year ago, I
was in a Supertronics store. I walked up to the counter and he was there
talking to the clerk. He gave the clerk one of those quarters and told him
to give it to the owner. After he left, I asked the clerk about it and he
said that the owner knew this guy and had been promised one of his quarters
the next time he did it. There was a digital scale there and we weighed it.
It was so close to the weight of a standard quarter that manufacturing
variation could account for the difference. The quarter was indeed smaller
in diameter as shown in the picture but it was somewhat thicker than normal.


"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bruce Rowen wrote:
>
> >> so. If all goes as planned, the acid will 'eat out' the zinc inside
and
> >> you have a hollow penny.
>
> > Or build a nice fast pulse generator and shrink the penny shirt button
> > size...
>
> Too cool! But in either case, I think it's illegal to deface money.
>
> --
> Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
> Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
>

It is true. Something to do with static electricity and cathodic
protection. Similar to those solar panels near bridges on the
freeway keep the steel from rusting... I have had a short length
of copper pipe in each drawer of my Snapon box since it was
new.... NO rust on the tools at all.

"Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each
drawer of your
> toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the
copper
> absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
>
> Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
>
> Frank
>
>

I can imagine that it works for bridges because the solar panels are
electrically connected to the bridge. I might also imagine that there is a
sacraficial anode somewhere. This would be similar to the way underground
storage tanks are protected. I wouldn't rule out the penny trick out of
hand, but if it does work, it would have to be under some special
conditions. To have a chance of working, there would have to be an
electrical connection between the penny, drawer, and tool. Copper might be
electrically dissimilar enough to induce a voltage when in contact with
steel, but I'd have to check that out.

todd

"solarman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It is true. Something to do with static electricity and cathodic
> protection. Similar to those solar panels near bridges on the
> freeway keep the steel from rusting... I have had a short length
> of copper pipe in each drawer of my Snapon box since it was
> new.... NO rust on the tools at all.
>
> "Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Had a friend tell me that if you put a couple pennies in each
> drawer of your
> > toolbox, the tools won't rust. It has something to do with the
> copper
> > absorbing moisture? I don't see how this works, but an ounce of
> > prevention... (or actually about 20 cents of prevention).
> >
> > Anyone hear of this? Old husbands tale or scientific fact?
> >
> > Frank
> >
> >
>
>