I'm trying to maintain my late dad's table saw, which has sentimental value as it belonged to both him and my grandfather. When I was younger, I recall my dad using some kind of oil or wax to keep the saw in good shape, allowing the wood to slide effortlessly across the surface. Unfortunately, I can't remember what he specifically used, and I'm not finding much help online. Can anyone advise if there's a preferred method or product for caring for a table saw?
5 Answers
You might want to look for Johnson's Paste Wax if you can find it, it's a classic! If not, Boeshield T-9 works well too. I've been using that for ages and it's really effective.
Definitely go with wax! It's just the best for keeping surfaces slick.
I'd recommend starting with WD-40 on any rusty spots, and then finish with paste wax over the rest of the surface. It makes using the saw a lot smoother and keeps everything in great shape.
In my experience, wax is definitely the way to go. If there's any rust on the table, you can start by using some steel wool to clean that off, then apply a good paste wax to keep it smooth. Any paste wax should do the trick! It's easy to apply and buffs out nicely, making wood glide like you remember.
Wax is great, and I also suggest trying Boeshield if you're looking for something a bit different. Just make sure to check what works best for you!