Preventing Table Saw, Jointer, etc. Rust

Auto wax is not good. Clean the surfaces with mineral spirits, then apply Johnson’s paste wax, original formula. It comes in a yellow can with a red stripe. Let the wax dry for about five minutes and then buff.

I’ve used this method on my 1983 Shopsmith, on the way tubes and table surfaces, and on the planer and jointer surfaces. they look like new, even tho exposed to South Florida’s heat and high humidity for all those years.

Johnson’s paste wax works equally well on cast iron and aluminum to protect against corrosion.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

I have to agree with Rob. I use T-9 Boeshield on my cast iron tools and it helps prevent rust.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

I don’t know if I have an answer other than to tell you about our experience with commerical storage usnits. In the Seattle area, the moist climate and with stuff stored in an unheated storage unit resulted in mold forming on some things.

I would assume that you will have rusting and go from there. I have used Boeshield, various Renaisance wax, and have learned about camellia oil used by Japanese on swords and tools. How about a protective gel like those used for imported power tools?

Good luck findng a product to preserve your table.

Dalec

If you use paste wax from Johnsons, strip the table first with mineral spirits. Then apply multiple coats. If I were you, I would try and store them in San Antonio, the weather there may be dryer than Memphis. If you use Boeshield, strip it with the mineral spirits and then just spray it on heavily and don’t wipe it off, be liberal with it. It will form a sticky, nasty barrier. You’ll probably pick your tools up in a year with bugs stuck to it… lol.

Here's a related post I had some time back.. you might find some other ideas in there....

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

It seems obvious that there shall NOT be a consensus.

I would recommend Johnson’s Paste Wax. I have used it for years in Washington State, Montana, Texas, California, Mississippi and not in Arizona. I use it on aluminum, as well as cast iron and have had great success. The worst case tests were in Texas and Mississippi. In both these locations the shop equipment was stored for extended periods and experienced only minor corrosion.

I would vote for Johnson’s Paste Wax based on this experience.

-- Making Sawdust Safely

even waxed, in a long period of time like that, the surfaces could suffer badly from humidity. Many steel surfaces when new comes with a blue film sticker, that directly protect the surface.

-- Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain" Frank Lloyd Wright

You got some good advice on protecting your equipment, but one good thing about moving to SAT is the nearby sources of mesquite. I realize that you won’t have local sources for other great hardwoods anymore, but the mesquite is close by and you get to go to Fredericksburg every year to the Mesquite Festival (can you tell I like mesquite?) and the Kerrville Arts and Crafts Festival has a fall furniture show each year. Something good may come of this for you.
I live in Kerrville, and admittedly you will be closer to the coast than I am but I have not noticed a really big problem with rust (edit to add except for my expensive planes). I use the Johnson’s past wax to protect them, everything else I refer to as patina.
Link to Texas Mesquite Association website: http://www.texasmesquiteassn.org/

-- jstegall

I used to live in Dallas and I would have moved to San Antonio in a heartbeat. It doesn’t sound like such a bad thing. It’s a very interesting city.

For those of us who have no access to Johnson’s paste wax, can someone actually say what the critical ingredients are, rather than just a brand name and product which is not universally available..? Bees wax? Carnauba wax? blend?

Elsewhere, I have read about a product called Penetrol being quite good. The main ingredient is a distillate called Stoddard solvent, otherwise known as white spirits. From wikipedia:
”White spirit, also known as Stoddard solvent, is a paraffin-derived clear, transparent liquid which is a common organic solvent used in painting and decorating.”

Of course, it could just be the main ingredient because it is the solvent used for whatever the rest of it is. If anyone knows, please post.

Anyone used anything like this?

-- If you can't joint it, bead it!

San Antonio seems like a great city but you will miss the BBQ! I visited San Antonio to see the tigers play once.

Sorry, off topic, I use Johnsons paste wax.

-- Brian

There is a product called cosmoliene (sp) it is use by the military and companies that ship products over seas, I use too work for a Gearman manafactuer the machines were coated with this stuff at least the bare metal parts were. We used kersoene too clean it off never had rust where that stuff was. Some of this stuff sat for a least a year with this stuff on it.

-- JohnShackleford,North Carolina

The cosmoline is what most tool mfg’s use to protect the cast surfaces for shipping, and such. It’s a greasy mess, but it stops the rust.

-- Billy, Jacksonville

i use briwax original (clear). it has no silicone, which can have a negative affect on finishing later. Rockler and Woodcraft stock it.

-- There are many ways to skin a cat...... but, the butter knife is not recommended

ALSO TRY KANOLABS.COM. THEY HAVE A PRODUCT ‘PREVOX’ THAT WORKS WELL HERE IN MISSISSIPPI.

-- R K SP8 "The 10 Commandments are NOT multiple choices"

Several heavy coats of Boeshield should do you fine.

-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"