Vinegar is good inexpensive way for removing and neutralising the rust.

Sounds like you live in a similar environment to me near salt water. I've found Inox MX3 spray to be very effective at keeping rust at bay. I keep a piece of cloth soaked in it in a jar and just give tools a quick wipe afterwards before putting them away. For some tools like spanners etc I keep them in a drawer with a piece of light felt underneath that is sprayed periodically as well. The Inox seems to stay fluid rather than evaporating off like some other sprays.

I used to have the same problem. I put the moisture absorbing capsules you find in dried food in to my toolbox, which got rid of the problem. I think you can also buy them in supermarkets as crystals?

I knew a girl called Rusty from years ago, she would get into anyone's car

It could also be your own hands causing the problem. Some people have very acidic hands which can cause the metals you are handling to go rusty so oiling the hands before using could help.

rockmagnet said..
It could also be your own hands causing the problem. Some people have very acidic hands which can cause the metals you are handling to go rusty so oiling the hands before using could help.

Funny you should mention that, my hands seem to melt certain plastics, like my binoculars and my electric tooth brush and my mouse, They all have soft grip type plastic, My wife has the same tooth brush and mouse and no problem ??? Although I did read that DEET may be the cause.

Anyhow,,,,, sorry for the hijack, all my tools rust, actually everything rusts around here but the beach is just there, 50m away it's all about maintenance and keeping up with the sprays, even in my workshop 10km inland if I forget to spray cast surfaces they rust in a matter of weeks, at least hand tools are OK there.

Redcliffe is good for wind, bad for tools. Slow down the air movement around them, eg, keep in a cupboard or draw rather than on a shelf, I have an old filing cabinet for power tools and a tool chest for hand tools.
Expensive stuff is kept in pelican cases ( cheap ones from Bunnings) with some of that clear cat litter, it is desiccant and absorbs moisture. I just fill a jar, drill some holes in the lid and put them in the draws, cupboards or cases with the tools. Put the desiccant in the oven once a year to dry it out.