Source
r/woodworking•
boythinks

How to properly maintain a cast iron top (bandsaw)?

Got a new bandsaw recently with a cast iron surface. When I set it up, I cleaned up all the oil and gunk. But after using it for a little bit I noticed the top had this stickiness to it.

I cleaned it with some mineral spirits, and then used some 3 in 1 machine oil to coat it. But two days later the stickiness is back.

Would love to get some tips on what you all do to look after your cast iron surfaces on your woodworking machines.

Posted Jan 19, 2023, 10:55 AM UTC

317
judgemeordont•

The oil you put on is what's going sticky. Clean it off, apply wax (just rubbing an ordinary candle on the surface will do, no need to spend stupid money on anything fancy) and buff with a rag.

5
boythinksOP•

Hmmm fair enough

I used the same oil that I use to keep my hand planes rust free... But it makes sense that it's probably dust, and dirt in the air getting caught on oil.

1
GregJ7•

I find Johnson's Paste Wax to be super easy to use (as opposed to wax that is hard). It doesn't seem cheap, but the container is lasting a really, really long time.

1
Cllzzrd•

They don’t make it anymore so the price will only go up

1
GregJ7•

Aha, you are right. The comments I read seem to favor Minwax's Paste Wax, but there are many options. Without looking into it, I guess I would look for one that is meant for wood. Many are meant for polishing automobiles.

1
CAM6913•

3&1 oil will help with keeping rust at bay BUT will also transfer to the pieces your cutting on the saw and the sawdust will stick to it. There are dry lubricant sprays that prevent rust and lubricant the top so the wood slides easier and sawdust will not stick to it. Paste Wax is another option -wax on wax off- don’t try rubbing a candle on the top it’s almost impossible to get complete coverage over the whole top then a pain to get excess wax off- just don’t do it-, Lee Valley sells wax just for preventing rust but they also sell Restorers wax that is the same thing for less money that works but regular paste wax or dry lubricants work the same and are cheaper. If you can’t find products locally for cast iron saw tops you can go to an auto parts store and get pure carnauba car wax

3
ninjajosh5•

Car paste wax is what I use. Not the ceramic kind. No complaints.

1
darouxgarou•

Here is what I do in my shops. I am in a high humidity environment. I wire wheel the tops to clean off any surface rust then wipe down with acetone to clean the top of any oils. I then coat the top with Boeshield-T9 and let it dry completely then coat with either Dupont dry film lubricant or Johnsons paste wax.

3
boythinksOP•

I am in Australia, the humidity gets pretty high here too.

I don't have any rust but will use an old tooth brush+ acetone to clean off anything on the top then cost it with whatever is the equivalent for those products here.

1
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1
boythinksOP•

Old sheet as in like a bed sheet?

1
S3dsk_hunter•

While I do live in an area that gets humid, my shop is climate controlled, so I don't have a lot of trouble with rust. About 3-4 times per year, I'll clean my cast iron well. Then apply paste wax. Let it dry to a haze. Then buff it off with a clean cloth. In addition to protecting against rust, it keeps the surface super slick. Works for the bottoms of hand planes too. I've never had paste wax transfer to a project from my tools.

1
boythinksOP•

My shop is my garage and the only climate control is ..the climate so rust is a bit of an issue.

Kind of feels like a constant battle

1
casabahoneydew•

I live in SE QLD (Australia) and have had good results following Matt Estlea’s advice. https://mattestlea.com/blog/how-i-clean-cast-iron-tables/

Edit:

  1. Vacuum
  2. Degrease (Liberon wax and polish remover)
  3. Remove rust (maroon abrasive mesh w/camelia oil - Go the Maroons!!)
  4. Wax. Lots of options here. I currently use Frapete’s. Aussie made. (Frapete SP Paste Wax Finish Polish For Woodworking Tool Protection Plastic Metal Restoration Clear finish 250-mL Australian Made https://amzn.asia/d/7MeVZcp)

Sounds like a lot of products and effort, but they all last heaps and it doesn’t take long at all.

1
boythinksOP•

Never heard of Frapete, will look into this

Cheers

1
prisoner_1•

Give the top a wipe with turps. Don't put anything on it that you don't want to end up on the wood: wax, oil, silicone... Just throw an old sheet over the saw. That'll keep the surface rust at bay.

0