How to clean rust from cast iron tools- and KEEP IT AWAY!

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[joeymerrell]

While I was deployed, my brother in law used my table saw and left it uncovered outside. He's been missing for awhile now, but I was able to clean my top with scotch brite and wd40.

[drewy]

I'm brand new to woodworking, and owning a table saw. Your videos have been *extremely* helpful in learning so many basic things. Thank you so much for this content, you've gained a new subscriber!

[alphafert]

I keep running into an issue then next day get a Stumpy Nubs vid suggested that resolves my issue. Lesson here is I should just watch them all.

[ivannair]

2:40 - is the stain from killing the individual or from the drink? I need a bit more clarity on what kind of stain we're talking about

[dmueller]

Love the channel Stumpy, been a subscriber for about a year, I have an alternative for Cast Iron surfaces that I don't see much on Youtube so I will put it here...It's not going to be popular because there are too many "vendors and fan-boi's" hawking their chosen products but....

Unless Cast Iron has changed much since the 60's the manuals for the saws and jointers said to rub Talc powder into the surface with a "chalkboard" eraser once a week for 8 weeks. 1960's Powermatic manuals specifically state: "DO NOT WAX". Sprinkle lightly with Talc. Rub in briskly with a blackboard eraser. Repeat weekly for first eight weeks -- then monthly. Talc will form a moisture barrier in table pores, keeping table tops slick and free of rust. Clean table tops annually with ammonia and detergent mixture. This will remove surface rust and pitch build up. Follow cleaning with talc as above."

The Powermatic 8" PM-60 Jointer I have has been in Southeast Virginia Swampland (Virginia Beach) and maintained this way for well over 40 years and I can attest it has no pitting nor does it have any residue to transfer to my wood materials.

Not picking... just exposing an alternative that will make finishing much easier and using the least expensive method I can find.

Cheers!

[mikelastime]

I have looked at lots of videos your video is the only one that makes sense I paid a lot for my table saw I want to take care of it thanks for the video

[marchebert]

Another great video. A few thoughts from a 35 year machinist. I agree about the 400 paper although I've used 600 mostly. What I really prefer is a FLAT medium India oilstone and kerosene. Getting rid of rust and burrs is what you want. NOT removing steel or stains. Just work it till the surface is smooth, keeping away from edges, then STOP. Everything you do to that surface is wearing it out, including running wood over it. Be kind to it.

[DavidNewton-rv]

Wax On, Wax Off - had to say it 😀

Thanks for tips, great channel for helping a novice like me. Learning a lot from you.

[brantmorrison]

Nice presentation! I never thought of using sandpaper - even the fine grades - but next time I'd like to try a piece glued to an mdf block. I've always used very fine steel wool with a paste wax to clean my iron parts.

To anyone cutting wood that may still be green (even only slightly green) the wood, scraps and sawdust left on the iron parts of tools can cause rust if left on the surface over just one night. I've had that happen on my saw.

Oh! And don't let sweaty family members touch your tools.

[danhusker]

I recently watched your video and used your recommendations to clean up my table saw top. It worked great. Then I used the same techniques on my joiner and my band saw. Now they all look great too. Thanks. It really improved my attitude on going to the shop.

[patchesofgreen]

I'm a weekend woodworker and bought a second-hand Grizzly. This video helped me bring new life back to a 24-year-old table saw.
Much appreciated!

[DMCnME]

Can you use mineral spirits for cleanup vs. Naphtha?

[carrollmoffett]

Great video. I learned to clean and maintain the table saw top the same way with the same materials back in shop class in 1972. Thanks again.

[MikeBramm]

Great tips. 30 years ago I used to work with a 3D Pantograph which had me rubbing my arms across the pattern plate all day. Every Friday night before going home, I would spray the surface with WD-40 then scrub it with a green Scotchbrite pad to remove the surface rust, wipe it down with alcohol to clean it really well, then apply automotive paste wax and buff it off. This left a nice clean machine, ready for work on Monday morning. Ever since then, I've applied this same technique to my woodworking equipment and the equipment is almost as clean as it was when new.

[BarneyR-ud]

Great video Stumpy, no one should not have any trouble with the Johnsons paste wax. There is no silicone in it that I am aware of. I have used it for years. I do let it set on the top for about 20 minutes. It can be a bear to get off. I usually go over each section a 2nd time with fresh Johnsons, then I buff it off. I do not use anything less than 400 grit and I usually go up to 1200. I do this once a year. If you have good saw you are partial to, look for a local machine shop that is capable of regrinding the top. Have them attach any wings once you get it there and do take your miter gage bar along so they can remove the same amount of material or see about milling the track a bit deeper. This may sound extreme but if you have an old American built saw it's worth it. Just my 2¢ worth.

[jimstoys]

I have a craftsman 12" table that is 56 years old. Many years ago I bought 3M Scotchbrite and use that to clean the top. At the same time, I purchased a spray can of Top Coat. The saw is in Canada I live in the U.S. so I am able to stay there for 5 1/2 months and clean and coat the saw every year. It always looks like new.

[timpedzinski]

I have a large round oil stone left over from my years as a machinist and that is great for removing rust. It also ensures that the table remains flat. Tanks for the wax idea. I hadn't thought about that.

[chrissimonton]

This was GREAT! I purchased a new SawStop yesterday that was a "Floor model" so it was out of the crate. Unfortunately it was EXTREMELY humid yesterday and the top was covered in surface rust by the time i got it home (20 minute drive in an open air truck). I followed your instructions and had it completely cleaned up in less than an hour and that included the time it took to go to the store. That naptha is amazing stuff. Will be using it on all my tools now.

[ThomasofAkron]

Best advice on machine surface maintenance I have heard. I too was thinking about a non aggressive approach

[jimzeleny]

I got this spray on stuff from Lee Valley and applied it to my saw. Supposed to prevent rusting. It did for a while, but the table surface gradually started turning brown from corrosion. Stripped it off and removed the rust in a similar manner to what was done in this video. I have been coating the surface with engine oil to prevent rusting since and that has worked very well. But the oil has to be cleaned off before using the saw. After watching this video I'm going to try the wax as it seems to be easier to use the saw after treatment than with my method. Thanks for posting this.