Do you have problems with your table saw rusting? Or are you getting black marks on the wood stock when cutting it on the table saw? Here is a simple solution to stop a cast iron table saw top from rusting and stop an aluminum top from marking the wood when being pushed over it. As a side benefit this solution makes the wood slide easier over the table saw top.
Apply a coat of paste floor wax to the table top. What brand should you use? I have used Johnson floor wax. Follow the instructions on the can and apply a coat to the table top, wait the prescribed amount of time and wipe off with a clean cotton towel, sock or underwear.
Won’t the floor wax soak into the wood and mess up the finishing?
No, not really. Once the excess floor wax has been wiped off of the table top, it leaves a very thin film of paste wax. Not enough to soak into the wood, but enough to provide a barrier between the wood and the table saw top.
Another quick tip, when cotton clothing is worn out, recycles it into a rag bag. Granted it needs to be clean, please launder first before adding it to the rag bag.


January 17th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Good Post
I have done this several times with my old Rockwell Beaver table saw and it works great. We moved into a place and I had to store my saw outside until I got a shop built. The table rusted terribly.
I used some wd-40 and steel wool to remove all the rust and then a penetrating wax with a clean cloth.
The table was still discolored but it was perfectly smooth when I was finished.
This work great.