Fence Wax

[JohnsonMBrandon]

Does anyone have any suggestions on wax to use for the fence on my new table saw? Also do you guys apply wax to the actual table of the saw? I have heard of a few people doing this?

 

[Monty]

 

[JohnsonMBrandon]

Do you use this on the saw table also?

 

[clowman]

agree with insomniac. Yellow can, red stripe. I love that stuff. Put a nice layer on the fence, and the table. gives it a nice slick finish. It takes some elbow grease to get all of it off, but well worth it.

-clay

 

[Monty]

Do you use this on the saw table also?

Yep. I actually had treated mine with Boeshield and I haven't had any rust problems. But paste wax is cheaper, easier, more available, and accomplishes the same thing best I can tell, and you can use it for other things in the shop.

 

[clowman]

I put Johnson's on about everything cast iron in my garage.

 

[woodguy1975]

Yeap Johnson's. Cheap and easy.

:icon_thum

 

[hpetty]

What about TopCoat? I just recovered my Unisaw after it took a 1 year vacation. The top was badly rusted which I pretty welel removed. It was suggested to me that TopCoat was better than Johnsons. I used it last night on my table top and fences. Have I made a mistake?

 

[Monty]

Have I made a mistake?

I don't think so. The more I hear different opinions, the more I reach the conclusion that it really doesn't matter WHAT you use, just make sure you maintain the application. This requires periodic cleaning and re-application. No matter what's on there, nothing will last forever.

Many people have the opinion that Topcote, Boeshield, and products like that are better... I'm certainly no expert. It's not that expensive no matter what you choose to use.



Edit: Just to add, I've heard of people using something like Boeshield, then applying paste wax on top of that. Maybe that's the magic formula! who knows?... :eusa_thin

 

[sapwood]

Another ditto head for Johnson Wax. Until I got a dehumidifier I had a lot of problems with rust--so I had to apply it frequently. Still have to, but not as frequently. I also apply it to runners and bottoms of wooden sleds, jigs, etc. The more the merrier, apply several coats for better protection and reduced friction.

Sapwood waxing on

 

[SteveColes]

What about TopCoat? I just recovered my Unisaw after it took a 1 year vacation. The top was badly rusted which I pretty welel removed. It was suggested to me that TopCoat was better than Johnsons. I used it last night on my table top and fences. Have I made a mistake?

My experience is topcoat is terrible. If I dared sweat a drop on the table, there was rust on the table the next morining I switched to paste wax and no such problems.

Junque_Col on woodnet and TWA swears that cheap paraffin in blocks works even better

 

[cloudancer]

I'd agree with Steve on topcoat. Of course my shop was at 80+% humidity in the early summer when I had trouble. I've switched to paste wax and not had any trouble*.


* Well there was the incident with a hot pizza box that sweated a lot, but I hardly think bringing it up is fair.

 

[DaveO]

I use Minwax's brand. Available at Lowes and I am rust free. I apply it about once a month to all CI surfaces and anything that things slide against. It is also a great final touch on low abuse finishes. Dave

 

[clowman]

I don't know how I don't have much problems with rust, my shop is my garage. I wax it not as often as I should.. about every 3-4 months. Of course, there was the time my wife used my table saw as a "table" for her iced tea...... overnight.. on a hot summer afternoon.... nice little rust ring i had to get off. I'm sure I yelled. (umm.. persuaded her not to do it again)

-clay