Replies

1. 
   Napie | Mar 13, 2008 06:05am | #1

   For a little more you could score a nice pre-owned Unisaw, just a thought.

2. 
   saschafer | Mar 13, 2008 06:13am | #2

   I keep a fair amount of cast iron in the garage (in Ohio). Periodic cleaning and spraying with TopCote keeps the rust at bay.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   JerryPacMan | Mar 13, 2008 03:14pm | #3

   Keep it covered with a HTC machine cover.

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

4. 
   Jimurock | Mar 13, 2008 04:46pm | #4

   Use it a lot!  My shop's in a garage in Ontario, and I have no rust problem.  I keep it heated in winter and use Topcote.

   Jim

5. 
   minnesota | Mar 13, 2008 05:51pm | #5

   TopCote, pastewax,***HTC machine cover***

6. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 13, 2008 07:02pm | #6

   In a couple of magazine tests over the past couple of years, Boeshield T9 was shown to be the most effective, long term protector of cast iron. Spray it on, let it dry and buff off the excess. Then apply a coat of furniture paste wax to make the surface slippery. In the tests, no other product, including wax, performed as well.

   Most saws rust because they are in a space that is not constantly heated. When cast iron gets cold (below the dew point), and the air is then heated periodically, the warming rate of the cast iron lags the warming rate of the air. This cause a small, local atmosphere near the surface of the colder object and water vapor in the air (humidity) is changed to water. Think of your beer can in the summer. This water is what causes the rust.

   So, how to deal with it. The simplest is to go to Walmarts and buy some cheap blankets or couch blankets. Cover your cast iron surfaces. The blankets will stop the little atmosphere from developing and leaving water on the cast iron. Another trick is to cover the tool and put a constant on 60 or 75 watt bulb underneath. This will keep the tool warmer than the dew point and again water will not form.

   Howie.........
1. 
   JamesS | Mar 14, 2008 03:43am | #7

   Howie:   I have a shop in MI & in FL. Both sit idle (6) mos. of the year. I used to use Boeshield, but was hard to clean off after setting that long. I now use Top-coat & haven't had problem one, & it's a lot easier to wipe off.

   James

7. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 14, 2008 04:45am | #8

   G, I have the sister saw to the ridged made by TTI (a crapsman contractor 1.5 hp. full steel wings) a unisaw, a joiner, BS, 3 DP's, mortiser, and more cast iron planes than any human has a right to own. They are left for as much as 5 months at a time in my basement shop in the damp foot hills of the Clinch Mts. in East Tenn. Oh, I forgot the two leaky contractor 14 year old (read cheap) garage doors next to the hand and bench tools.

   Howard is 100% correct, not one spot of rust,patina or stain after using Boeing T-9. If you are sloppy and get a build up, spray a little more and wipe with a rag---done. When I get down there I give the cast iron tables a quick wipe with Waxlit from Lee Valley-then circle back with a clean red shop rag(about $3 a doz. in auto parts joints)  and give them a very quick buff up(these are not the Queen's jewels). Then I must take care to not carelessly toss a stick of wood on the tables or push the fence out of the way or they are gone off the end. This is the real deal. all the best, Paddy

8. 
   AZMO | Mar 14, 2008 03:47pm | #9

   I live in Phoenix so what is rust? Keep you water bottle off the TS off the cast iron! I still wax so the work slides. If you have never done this you will be surprised.

    

                     

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9. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 14, 2008 05:00pm | #10

   Ridgid cast-iron tablesaw. I realize it's not in a league with the big boys.. Maybe BUT! I have one.. For the price it is a wonderful saw. OK, so it is not perfect but does everything I need form it. By the way, I have to admit I was going to get a new saw this year but Uncle Sam had different ideas for the money I saved up fo it.

   I just wax the tops.. Johnsons or MinWax. If I do get a stain I just use my orbital sander and 'go at it'..

   Chicago area here and we get ALL kinds of weather. My saw sits out in a COLD shop all winter.. Hardly any rust to speak of. Any stains I have are from GLUE! I also use the saw top as a glue table!