Title says it all how to keep my table , band saw , jointer from rusting during the winter months I think problem is heater gets it too hot to fast then it makes condensation what do you guys and or girls use or do to prevent this not a problem in summer just when running heat BTW forced hot air propane Thanks
I don't have problems with the cast iron in the winter, more in the summer when it is hot and humid. I do keep the shop at 50 deg or higher all winter.
You will have the condensation problem all winter if you let the shop get really cold. Since metal conducts heat well, the cold temperature causes the metal to get cold. When you turn on the head the propane combustion makes some water as a combustion product that winds up as humidity. The cold surface causes the humidity to condense and you get rust. I probably just reiterated what you already knew. I could drone on about humidity and dew points and all that if you have insomnia.
Solution - keep the shop above 50 deg or so and you should be fine.
I keep my shop at 50 when I know I woun't use it for a few days. If I'm using it pretty much ever day I keep it at 60 at night and bring it up to 70 when I go out in the morning. At a minimum I keep the shop at 50. I have never had a rust problem.
I had similar issues in my shop. Historically I used paste wax and covered with towels or movers blankets. Still got rust but nothing that took about 20 minutes (per item) a year. I ended up doing a few things different and have had much better results.
I did a very good cleaning of the table saw and other cast iron tools in the shop and applied Boeshield T9 per can instructions. I know one can make their own, same as….. but for less than 20 bucks done, good to go, and easy way to use up those smaller gift cards one gets. After that I found that getting air circulating in the shop as soon as I kick the kerosene heater on reduced the amount of condensation. Haven't had any issues with condensation on cast iron tools with the fans running. Once a year I apply a light coat of Boeshield again without any cleaning. Been 5-6 years now and no rust.
G'A stole my thunder… however, one must make a statement so… make like a duck and fly south for winter…
Seeing as how it might be difficult to put all the machinery in a back pack… I use Silver Glide 24×7 (and also for the remaining 364 days +1 for that odd leap year)... never had issues, however, I insist on keeping the wine cask off the cast iron tables and drink out of paper cups (or suck through a tube).
Whatever you use, the secret is to regularly inspect and have a scourer and some of the product on hand all the time… well not necessarily on hand but nearby.
This stuff you only need to use once a month for protection.
Sorry GR8, I couldn't help it.
My wife says I'm immature, but she took it back after I
quit pounding on the table and threatened not to eat my veggies.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think a byproduct of propane is water vapor? Don't know what effects it might have but just throwing that out there?
When it's cold and wet and it warms up quickly I get condensation on my tools. JPW works great as long as I put it on every couple months or after hard use.
I use dessicant packs in the drawers of my toolbox to prevent rust. That should work in your situation, covering might help. I use them in my gun safe,too.
I did a very good cleaning of the table saw and other cast iron tools in the shop and applied Boeshield T9 per can instructions. I know one can make their own, same as…..
I don't worry about it much. Fact of life, cast iron rusts. I clean it with WD40 and a green non-woven pad or 220 paper glued to a flat board. Put whatever paste wax I have at the time on it. It rusts again.
Condensation forms on cast iron when warm moist air comes in contact with the colder metal. Yes, water vapor is a byproduct of burning propane and it will increase the humidity in an enclosed area unless the heater is vented. I have always used Johnson's paste wax to protect my cast iron but since moving to a new shop, it doesn't seem to be doing the job as well. I am currently trying T9 Boeshield but don't have enough experience yet to pass judgement.
Do not use car wax unless you know what is in it! Most car wax contains silicone and even a tiny residue will adversely affect wood finishes.
Condensation forms on cast iron when warm moist air comes in contact with the colder metal. Yes, water vapor is a byproduct of burning propane and it will increase the humidity in an enclosed area unless the heater is vented. I have always used Johnson s paste wax to protect my cast iron but since moving to a new shop, it doesn t seem to be doing the job as well. I am currently trying T9 Boeshield but don t have enough experience yet to pass judgement.
Do not use car wax unless you know what is in it! Most car wax contains silicone and even a tiny residue will adversely affect wood finishes.
Tony,
It looks like Auto wax is about the same as Johnsons's Past Wax. The car wax I use is Carnauba Wax.
I found this info on line….
"What is in Johnson's Paste Wax?
Carnauba wax is a naturally derived film former that can also be found in cosmetics and skin care products. It creates a protective coating or shine on a surface. Carnauba wax comes from the carnauba palm tree - it forms on the leaves of the palm to protect the leaves from heat and keep their moisture from evaporating."
..... Do not use car wax unless you know what is in it! Most car wax contains silicone and even a tiny residue will adversely affect wood finishes.
- ArtMann
Totally agree with A'M'. If you want to experiment… try scotch instead of whiskey… nevertheless, ensure there is no silicone in the product… silicone may save you a few minutes in elbow grease and if you wish may see your own reflection… but is just about guaranteed to screw up your valuable timber/finish creation… and you don't need much (silicone) for that proverbial snafu!
I don't think a change in formula is it. I have been using the same can of Johnson's for maybe 10 years and it just doesn't work quite as well as it used to. I'm just guessing the humidity in my new shop is higher due to a different type of heat.
Condensation forms on cast iron when warm moist air comes in contact with the colder metal. Yes, water vapor is a byproduct of burning propane and it will increase the humidity in an enclosed area unless the heater is vented. I have always used Johnson s paste wax to protect my cast iron but since moving to a new shop, it doesn t seem to be doing the job as well. I am currently trying T9 Boeshield but don t have enough experience yet to pass judgement.
Do not use car wax unless you know what is in it! Most car wax contains silicone and even a tiny residue will adversely affect wood finishes.
- ArtMann
I am curious if they changed the JPW formula it use to work better for me I thought :<((
I don t think a change in formula is it. I have been using the same can of Johnson s for maybe 10 years and it just doesn t work quite as well as it used to. I m just guessing the humidity in my new shop is higher due to a different type of heat.
- ArtMann
I am curious if they changed the JPW formula it use to work better for me I thought :<((
From the Boeshield T-9 page, it is a: "... unique formulation of solvent carrier and paraffin wax coating ...". A quick look at the MSDS shows that it's basically just a solvent (kerosene/mineral spirits and Naphtha), up to 25% mineral oil, and 2.5% or less paraffin wax.
BTW: Johnsons paste wax is Paraffin, Carnauba, Microcrystalline wax dissolved in Naphtha.
Common ingredient: Paraffin wax. Pretty easy to dissolve it in a solvent and use it for all sorts of stuff.
You can add the mineral oil, but I find it makes things messy and causes it to take forever to dry. YMMV. Paraffin can be obtained from your local grocery store by the pound (Gulf wax in the 'canning' section).
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!