Best way to clean rust from table saw top?

If it’s only surface rust, I would just use 0000 Steel Wool with paint thinner, then use a good paste wax.

John

-- http://www.webshots.com/user/jahness

I use a Scott brite pad and my Radium orbital sander and rubbing compound and clean and the floor wax.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

boesheild rust remover and then their boeshild T-(9)

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

I tried all of the above. The Boasheild left a weird residue that was difficult to remove when I left it on overnight. I eventually used a brass coated crimped steel wire cup brush on my 4-1/2” angle grinder. I took off the fence rails and guard before spending 2 hours grinding with the cup brush (not that there is much left of the brush at this point). There were 3 small (silver dollar sized) areas of light pitting; nothing that wood will catch on. Still, a great saw for $150 and some elbow grease. Also came with two free outfeed Roller Stands. Now I get to make new kitchen cabinets.

grinder and wire wheel…oh you already did that…dude..yer pychic!

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

old worn out 120 Grit disks from your ROS and WD40. After that a good coating of wax.

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

I use a product called “Top Saver”. It works great! I keep all my table surfaces clean plus use it on old rusty tools and knife blades. Will not stain wood or affect other materials. Easy to use, light scrubbing with a scouring pad, no scratching, Highly recommended by me….................

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

I avoid using petroluem products like wd40 on my table top. A dry cleaning should get everything off. If not just remember any solvent can and does get into the metal (ask a welder). I used a scratch pad or wire wheel and finished up with various grits of sandpaper and wet sanded, wiped down with alcohol, then finished with a paste wax. This gave me an almost mirror finish and once the top is waxed my lumber glides across. Allot of work but worth it.

-- Phil 4:13------Our family motto

i just stopped by HF this afternoon and picked up a $10 ROS to clean my TS top. A already have some 320 paper and 400 grit automotive paper and a bunch of WD40, oh yeah, and a 16 year old ROW operator. I have one word for wax…carnuba, baby

-- david roberts, houston area, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but that has never been a problem for me."

I use “Corrosion x” exclusively. Clean the table top with the Corrosion X and Scotch Brite then wipe it VERY clean with a fresh shop towel. A light rub-down with another shop towel damp with Corrosion X and you’ll be amazed at how slick the top is. No oils, no waxes, MIL-SPEC approved for aviation corrosion protection and 1/2 the cost of Top Saver!

-- M1911BLDR

Cool, I’ll check that one out.

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

For a detailed discussion check out the following article on my woodworking tips site http://www.woodworkingtipsandtools.com/2009/01/29/keep-your-saw-table-clean-and-rust-free/

-- drbob at http://www.Woodworkingtipsandtools.com

We clean up old tablesaws all the time at work. If its just very light surface oxidation you can get away with steel wool. Otherwise the best thing to use is a random orbit sander with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper. Use very light pressure and slow, even strokes.

And that fresh steel will rust VERY fast. So coat it in clear paste wax (with no silicon) right away. Just rub on the wax, wait about 10 minutes, and rub it off with a clean rag.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com