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Waxing Cast Iron Table Saw top

7K views 20 replies 15 participants last post by  kelvancra 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
So, since I got my TS, I have used BoShield as a protector from rust. Only problem is it can be sitcky.

Due to that, I have switched to a wax. Renanicance wax to be specific. Question is, after you apply the wax do you wait for it to dry and buff, or just leave it as is?
 
#3 ·
+1 Madmark2:

Apply wax, leaving behind a film.
Wait for film to dry to haze.
Then buff surface to remove excess.
(Can take 5-30 minutes depending on temp/humidity)

BTW - Renaissance wax is good, but can be expensive.
Next time you need more look for Staples Crystal Clear Wax. Wood craft carries it.
Same carnuaba wax base in a 1lb can costs less and you get 2-3x more in can.
Have both and can't tell difference between them.
Although the smaller renaissance can fits better next the the hand planes. :)
Cheers!
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks guys…. so how "creative" do you get with wax?
Saw blades? Mitre slots? Fence rails?

- William_D
Blades?
No, it rubs off to fast.

Miter slot?
Always same time I wax top. Wax bar on miter gauge too.

Fence rails?
Hmm. Depends on design. Don't want to wax the bare metal front side surface where a biesemeyer clamps down to the rail. But I wax top to ensure it slides easier.

Riving knife/Splitter?
Yes, it helps to prevent pitch sticking to surface.

I even wax my extension table and out-feed table.

But don't wax the floors.
Need traction as you push 4×8 sheets across the saw.

LOL
 
#7 ·
I agree paste wax on all my stationary tools. However on my hand planes I stored for long periods of time. I use paraffin that i buy in a slab type form. I rub it on like deodorant stick, all the parts and side. It works like a champ and you don't have to do any clean up before using the plane. Just rub more on before storing the plane.
 
#8 ·
I tried boeshield T-9 and didn't like it at all for CI surfaces. I use Johnson's paste wax.

William-D - I certainly recall those days when I was with the 9th Inf at Ft Lewis. After we spread the wax with the buffer and let it haze, we'd then put one of those fuzzy toilet seat covers over the buffing brush and bring it to a high gloss shine. Ah, the good ol' days
 
#9 ·
I wait then lightly hand rub it, then I get my HF gizmo out and let er rip. I can bump a piece of wood on one side of the TS, and it'll slide off the other side. I use the absolute cheapest wax I can find. I tried some expensive stuff, and it didn't make a bit of difference IMHO.

It was 39 bux when I bought it, but it was on a sidewalk sale for 14.99 and I used a 20% off coupon. That was back when HF was fun to shop at, before they got all of the rules. It has a sheepy wool cover, zoom zoom.

Peripheral Tool Drill Input device Pneumatic tool
 

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#10 ·
So, since I got my TS, I have used BoShield as a protector from rust. Only problem is it can be sitcky.
[...]Due to that, I have switched to a wax.
- William_D
BoShield is basically just paraffin wax and mineral oil in a solvent. It's the oil that makes it seem sticky. For a lot less money, you can easily make your own and leave out the mineral oil. Just dissolve some paraffin wax in mineral spirits. Works great for dunking small hardware bits that are hard to wax by hand. A pound of paraffin can be had for a couple bucks at your local grocery store, and it will last a long, long, long time.

Font Rectangle Publication Event Metal


Having said that - here is another vote for Johnsons paste wax on machined cast iron.

Cheers,
Brad
 

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#11 ·
Renaissance Wax or other micro-crystalline waxes are a little different than a normal paste wax. They are meant to go on very thin and will pretty much harden instantly.

Also Renaissance wax is not carnauba based. It's a petroleum based wax with other things like polyethylene or some other words i cant pronounce. The whole purpose of micro crystalline waxes is to avoid acids from carnauba and bees wax.

I wouldn't wax a cast iron table saw with it unless its all i had on hand. But i do wax all of my hand planes with it. Handles are silky smooth with a nice micro crystalline wax applied correctly.
 
#19 ·
I use Bostik Glidecote for cast iron surfaces. It greatly reduces friction and helps prevent rust spots.
Spray it on a paper towel, then apply.
Let it have over briefly and wipe off.

I like it better than paste wax, but I also use Johnson's paste wax as well.

The only negative is the smell. I use a respirator when applying it. It's not that it stinks so much, but the airborne chemicals can be irritating to the lungs.
 
#20 ·
Everyone has their secret sauce, here is mine:
https://www.collinite.com/product/no-845-insulator-wax/
Either #845 o 476S. I live in a place where we use a LOT of salt on the roads in the winter and I only wax my cars in May and October - this stuff lasts. Everything in my shop that is cast iron gets it as well.

- OnhillWW
I've got some of this. Never occured to me that I could use it on my CI tables….
I can't think of anything slicker than this stuff. It's like black slime on a TPO roof. Just looking at it funny will make you slip and fall.
 
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