Replies

1. 
   garmtn | Mar 13, 2006 07:43pm | #1

   Wish I had a dedicated building like you've got.  I'm currently using 1 garage out of 3 I have but, still park in there.  To answer your question, they make a "table saw" top treatment, that restores the table and keeps rust away.  A little pricing @ $15 a bottle.  Bet u could go to http://www.diynet.com,  and find a formula to accomplish same thing.  I too have an old craftsman TSaw.  Never had much of a concern with rust.  Hope this helps.

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 14, 2006 12:08am | #2

   I recall seeing a blanket type cover for equipment kept in nasty places. It had the ability to keep out moisture but let it breathe and not trap moisture. Can't remember the catalog that I saw it in. Maybe harbor freight , mcmasters, woodcraft,? A coat of T-9 and these blankets look like your cure. It's worth your time to hunt them down, perhaps someone else remembers. C.R.S. is a nasty affliction. Good  luck, Pat

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 14, 2006 04:05am | #3

   Bostik's TopCoat or a couple good coats of paste wax should do the trick.  I also place my crosscut sled on my TS every night when I finish/clean up my shop.  No rust in over 4 years.  I reapply a light coat of TopCoat about every  months.

   Regards,

    

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   Kidderville, NH

    

    

   Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!

3. 
   GrGramps | Mar 17, 2006 03:04pm | #4

   Luke, You didn't say what part of the country you reside in, but we'll take your word for the humidity. I had the same problem with a free standing shop in the summer. My solution was a used dehumidifier that cost $45. I dump about a gallon or more from it each morning. With doors and windows open during the day it's not a problem. With the heat that I use in the winter there is no measurable problem. I find this easier than fighting the rust.
   Roy

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 20, 2006 07:08pm | #5

   Where did you find a dehumidifier for $45?? forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   GrGramps | Mar 20, 2006 08:20pm | #6

   It was in the local classified ads. It's a Kenmore that is several years old but didn't not appear to have too many miles on it. The seller had just had central air installed and saw no further need for it. Roy

4. 
   AB | Mar 20, 2006 10:41pm | #7

   Cut a top for your saw out of sheet goods. 1/4 inch plywood or osb will work fine. Dew will settle on the plywood and not your saw. For the edges of your saws table a light coat of clear paint will seal out any water. No water no rust. problem solved..

1. 
   [email protected] | Mar 21, 2006 03:08pm | #8

   what about a cover of some kind-good quality tarp along with a plywood top. In my shop I have made tops for my table saw and band saw plus I regularly spray with top kote. In the garage on the other hand there is no heat so I worry about condensation. Do you think a plywood cover on the table and a tarp over the entire saw will keep it safe from condensation and rust?

1. 
   AB | Mar 22, 2006 03:40pm | #9

   I am sure that will work.

5. 
   mikegagne | Mar 27, 2006 02:37am | #10

   Plastic traps moisture. I use a heavy duck fabric shaped roughly to each machine that I stitched myself. Hawaii has moisture condensation issues from dewpoint in the winter mostly and all my covers seem to be keeping the rust minimized. aloha, mike

1. 
   [email protected] | Mar 27, 2006 03:31pm | #11

   where go you get duck cloth and what is it? Also I don't know how much sewing I could do-I'm lucky if the occasional button I sew back on stays on-can you buy it and just wrap the machine in it with rope?

1. 
   EdHarrow | Mar 27, 2006 05:15pm | #12

   My father had a Shopsmith in his shop in the 'barn' in Massachusetts.  He waxed the top tubes to facilitate sliding the powerhead back and forth, but he did not wax the bottom tubes.  He's been dead for ~20 years, the Shopsmith remains in the shop, and the top tubes are as clean and shiney as they were when it was new.  The bottom tubes are rather rusty.

   Butchers Wax was the product he used.

2. 
   mikegagne | Mar 28, 2006 07:04am | #13

   "duck" or cotton duck cloth is similar in weight to blue jean denim and is available at fabric stores just about everywhere. I used it because of its weight and ability to shed small amount of water. I felt it would resist moisture condensation from dewpoint moments on my tools. It has worked well. aloha, mike