http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00183.asp
Scour a cast-iron surface, then protect it from dampness

by Lon Schleining
SNIP
I quit using paraffin wax on my tools the day I discovered TopCote, a dry,
silicone-free surface lubricant and water repellent manufactured by Bostik
(www.bostik.com). It doesn't build up a sticky residue the way paraffin wax
inevitably does, the lubrication lasts almost indefinitely, and most
important, it really keeps moisture out. Spray a liberal coat on the surface,
let it dry for a few seconds, and buff with a paper towel. I repeat this
every few months.
SNIP
Finally, to keep your saw looking like new for the rest of its life, make a
simple cover for it. Cut a sheet of 1/8-in. or 1/4-in. plywood to the size of
your top. The last thing I do before I leave the shop in the evening is lower
the tablesaw blade, move the rip fence out onto the extension table and place
the protective plywood cover over the cast-iron table. One parting thought on
the plywood cover: Mark it clearly so you don't mistakenly cut it up into
drawer bottoms. (Not that I've ever done that.)


Two comments:

Hmmmm. I didn't know the term "almost indefinitely" means "every few
months"... ; )

In the Pac. NW, if you leave the plywood covering on cast iron during
the winter months, you'll be very sorry. The plywood will absorb a lot
of moisture from the rain-soaked air, leading to rust on the tool
surface.
--
Owen Lowe
The Fly-by-Night Copper Company
__________

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
Corporate States of America and to the
Republicans for which it stands, one nation,
under debt, easily divisible, with liberty
and justice for oil."
- Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur, 1/24/05

"Fly-by-Night CC" wrote in message
news
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00183.asp
Scour a cast-iron surface, then protect it from dampness

by Lon Schleining
SNIP
I quit using paraffin wax on my tools the day I discovered TopCote, a
dry,
silicone-free surface lubricant and water repellent manufactured by
Bostik
(www.bostik.com). It doesn't build up a sticky residue the way paraffin
wax
inevitably does, the lubrication lasts almost indefinitely, and most
important, it really keeps moisture out. Spray a liberal coat on the
surface,
let it dry for a few seconds, and buff with a paper towel. I repeat this
every few months.
SNIP
Finally, to keep your saw looking like new for the rest of its life, make
a
simple cover for it. Cut a sheet of 1/8-in. or 1/4-in. plywood to the
size of
your top. The last thing I do before I leave the shop in the evening is
lower
the tablesaw blade, move the rip fence out onto the extension table and
place
the protective plywood cover over the cast-iron table. One parting
thought on
the plywood cover: Mark it clearly so you don't mistakenly cut it up into
drawer bottoms. (Not that I've ever done that.)


Two comments:

Hmmmm. I didn't know the term "almost indefinitely" means "every few
months"... ; )

In the Pac. NW, if you leave the plywood covering on cast iron during
the winter months, you'll be very sorry. The plywood will absorb a lot
of moisture from the rain-soaked air, leading to rust on the tool
surface.
--

No doubt about it. Elevating your plywood on some sort of non-hygroscopic
material will keep the rust at bay, however. Plastic strips work well.

I keep a plywood cover on my tablesaw because it's in line with the throw
zone of my lathe when I'm roughing bowls. Notice after five minutes of
turning and rub out for ten....

In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

In the Pac. NW, if you leave the plywood covering on cast iron during
the winter months, you'll be very sorry. The plywood will absorb a lot
of moisture from the rain-soaked air, leading to rust on the tool
surface.
SNIP
I keep a plywood cover on my tablesaw because it's in line with the throw
zone of my lathe when I'm roughing bowls. Notice after five minutes of
turning and rub out for ten....

Thought I oughta add what I do DO for the winter months: I saturate a
few sheets of newspaper or packing paper with WD-40 and put that on the
cast iron. If I don't plan on using a tool for an extended time I'll
saturate the paper with cheap motor oil. Works well but the WD-40 is
easier to remove with a quick rubdown of kerosene or spirits while the
oil takes a little more time and materials to clean.
--
Owen Lowe
The Fly-by-Night Copper Company
__________

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
Corporate States of America and to the
Republicans for which it stands, one nation,
under debt, easily divisible, with liberty
and justice for oil."
- Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur, 1/24/05