Cleaning Cast Iron Tables

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A quick guide showing how to get your cast iron machine tables rust-free & looking like new…


In my workshop, like many people I have a problem with rust and without regular care my lovely, shiny cast-iron tables turn a not so lovely rusty brown. My bandsaw table is quite an extreme case mainly as it’s been stuck in a corner and hasn’t had any use for a few months. But fear not, it isn’t as bad as it looks, with a bit of work it can once again look like new. There’s no magic involved – just plain old fashioned elbow-grease…

The first step is to brush the table down and clear away any dust or chips. To get the rust off I use webrax. I normally either use the grey or brown sheets on my tools and machines. As the bandsaw table was in pretty bad shape I used ‘brown’ webrax which is courser then the grey sheets. I like to use CMT router cutter cleaner as it helps removes the muck and I find it’s a good lubricant for the webrax. I’ve also used WD40 in the past as well.



With the sheet of webrax folded in half I work on removing the rust and cleaning the table, applying even pressure. If you don’t fancy all the elbow-grease you could attach the webrax to your ROS or palm sander. It’s a messy job so to save getting black hands and finger nails it’s worth wearing a pair of disposable gloves.



Once I’m satisfied all the rust and marks have gone, I wipe the table clean with an old towel to remove the bulk of the gunk left behind.



I then like to clean the table with white spirit to remove any left over lubricant and gunk.



When the table is rust-free and dry the next step is to protect it. I use Liberon lubricating wax, it helps prevents corrosion and rust, keeps the table smooth so timber slides along it easily and it’s silicon free. I apply a generous amount then leave it to dry for about 10mins. Once dry I give it a light buff with a clean cotton cloth. I normally apply two coats which I find gives good protection. I then apply regular coats every few weeks (if I remember).To avoid building up too many layers of wax, I cut it back with white spirit when it needs it. And that’s it!… Each woodworker has slightly different methods of preventing and removing rust and that you’ll probably pick up your own maintenance routine over time, but I hope you find the information I’ve provided useful.
 

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Hi Charley. Just read your little piece on keeping your bandsaw table free of rust and as of tomorrow I will be in the same boat as you. I bought a bandsaw three months ago but over the last month it has got worse and worse. It has never been 100% so the dealer is taking it back with him tomorrow after he has delivered the replacement, a jet industrial model. I will clean the table off and will buy the Liberon lubricating wax you mentioned after I have degreased it with white spirit. It will have to go into my workshop until November and the workshop is a bit on the damp side. I move into a proper workshop in November with double glazing and central heating so i will be spoilt.Thanks for the advice Charley. Geoff.
 
Good information to know, particularly the Liberon lubricating wax. Still looking to buy my first bandsaw, which may be new or a small older model to start on and expect I will need this sort of wax in the near future.

Many thanks
Alex
 
I was just on my way to bed when i read this and now i know what i will be doing in the morning ,thank you for sharing
(y)
 
Gosh, this is so old that it’s in the old style of the site, lol, it’s quite possible that there are several new different ways of doing this by now. Anyway as long as you get your cast iron clean, and remind the rest of us that’s good.




good.
 
If only I'd seen this article a month ago... Just purchased a RP Sabre 350 as my first 'proper' bandsaw and after assembling it left it in the workshop. I haven't had a real issue with rust thus far, but to my dismay on returning to the workshop after some time away from it (I've been shielding), I noticed I'd left a piece of wood on the saw table. When MC in my current workshop is running (recorded last week) at a depressing 18.3%, I suppose it's no wonder that the moisture has caused the wood to leave a rust mark on my brand new piece of kit. I've scrubbed with a green pad and put some wax on it, but it's still there. My own fault I know. So I've decided to build a new workshop in my own garden (my current workshop is a run down outbuilding behind my brother's pub). What's rather bizarre, however, is that my brand new and as yet unused Wood River planes are placed on wooden shelves in the same building, but they have zero rust on them, same as my chisels. Any explanations kindly welcomed.
 

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