Cast Iron Table Rust Prevention

[Duncan A]

From the USA manual for a Jet bandsaw (not in the UK manual):

"The table surface should be kept clean and free of rust for best results. Some users prefer a paste wax coating. Another option is talcum powder applied with a blackboard eraser rubbed
in vigorously once a week; this will fill casting pores and form a moisture barrier. This method provides a table top that is slick and allows rust rings to be easily wiped from the surface.
Important also is the fact that talcum powder will not stain wood or mar finishes as wax pickup does."

Has anybody tried this method?

Duncan

 

[Harbo]

I've never tried it ( except on my babies's bums) but "Looking it up" it's numerous uses are just amazing.

Rod

 

[Tusses]

I use wax, as do many others. No problems with 'wax pickup' here

 

[Duncan A]

Hmmm, not sure if babies bums and splintery wood go together too well!
However, talc may be worth a try even though wax is fine for most people. I don't have a rust problem but I do frequently leave the tools unused for long periods and lightly oil them beforehand - obviously this could mark the wood if I did it regularly between uses. If the talc works by absorbing the moisture, I wonder if it would get overloaded in the longer term and end up actally causing rust?
Think I'll start off by rubbing talc in just to see if it makes more mess than it's worth. Watch this space.

Duncan

 

[Tusses]

do a test .. talc one thing, wax another and chuck em out side for a bit !

 

[hawkeye48]

I've never tried it ( except on my babies's bums) but "Looking it up" it's numerous uses are just amazing.

Rod

You used it to prevent rust rings on your babies bum.........poor kid


I will use it on my planer thicknesser table though