Thread: New table saw on it's way... how to protect the surface?

A litre of Silver Glide from Carbatec is about the best option available and will last you for ages. I use it on my table saw, bandsaw and lathe bed, and my shed is open to the weather. Works better than anything else I've tried.

Silverglide Dry Slip Lubricant - 1ltr | Carbatec

Originally Posted by BMKal

A litre of Silver Glide from Carbatec is about the best option available and will last you for ages.

+1 to silverglide, but would recommend the smallest size you can get. I've got a 250gram which looks like they no longer make (smallest appears to be 350gram) . Have had it for 5 years and still have 80% of the tin.

If you can't get it, camilla oil or any wax works ie old candle.

+2 to silverglide but Ubeaut's wax works just as well but requires a bit more elbow grease. I have a 4 step cleaning routine for all my cast iron surfaces

1. clean with WD40 and a grey scotch bright pad (finer than green)
2. wipe off any dirt with turps
3. Spray Boschield T9 (a water retardant) wait then wipe off
4. Apply silverglide or wax, wait then buff

This has served me well over the years

SilberGleit on it's way

After treatment always leave a cover on it when not using the saw, this prevents condensation at night when it becomes cooler.

What Chris said...putting dropsheets over all machines when not in use is a HUGE help. For a tablesaw, I wind the blade right up before putting a sheet over the top, so the sheet is held up off the top surface of the saw.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

After treatment always leave a cover on it when not using the saw, this prevents condensation at night when it becomes cooler.

Agreed!
I use an old blanket

+3 for silverglide lasts for a long time and is easy to apply

I took some photos and just messed about with ClipChamp.
TableSaw build - YouTube

Be kind

Silverglide is fine but expensive. Silverglide helps the work slide on the table and doesn't contaminate the wood as some lubricants can. See old threads.


Do not use a blanket. I used a doovet but due to health catastrophe was out of the shed for some time and came back to a pitted top. Blessed disaster. Plastic is probably ok.


Queensland's humidity is a nightmare. I suspect southerners don't understand how debilitating it is.

I had to put my Dad's machines into storage and used a CRC product which left a protective plastic film on the cast iron and that was very successful but it was not in Qld. I use a cotton bed sheet when I cover mine.

After covering the table saw loosely with a cotton sheet on Sunday, kind of tented using the blade guard, my worst nightmare came true this morning.

I went to check on my baby and found this
tablesaw rust_1.jpg
I'm hoping it's just me and I didn't apply the silver glide properly.
I've covered it in WD-40 until this afternoon when I can get out there, re-sand it (800grit w&d) and coat it again.

I was thinking, would a tarp be better?
It's condensation on the cold table surface, so I'm not sure how I'm going to stop that.

Did you clean the top when you unpacked it? ie with something like acetone or cleaning agent to remove the film they put on it to prevent it from rusting?

If not suggest you doing that before you proceed, as they stuff will stain.

Also take it easy with the sand paper, the last thing you'll want is to make your nice flat top onto a bowl.

Having said all that don't sweat too much about the surface, it is a worksurface and will inevitably get some staining over time, just regularly apply the silver glide and get to doing what you love.

Cheers Tonzeyd

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

Did you clean the top when you unpacked it? ie with something like acetone or cleaning agent to remove the film they put on it to prevent it from rusting?

If not suggest you doing that before you proceed, as they stuff will stain.

Yep, it was tough stuff to get off but I got it all.

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

Also take it easy with the sand paper, the last thing you'll want is to make your nice flat top onto a bowl.

Yeah, using a 1/2 sheet foam block so I think it should be ok.

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

Having said all that don't sweat too much about the surface, it is a worksurface and will inevitably get some staining over time, just regularly apply the silver glide and get to doing what you love.

Stains and usage scars I can handle, even be proud of. Rust on the other hand...
I re-applied a liberal coat of silver glide and left it a few minutes then wiped it until smooth. Hopefully that'll do the trick.
Any other Brisbanites have similar issues?