Replies

1. 
   Metod | Apr 28, 2007 02:07pm | #1

   Lou,

   Were 'blood, sweat and tears' not an issue, I would try the following:

   Mount a coarse stone or (better yet) a a coarse grit diamond plate on a suitable block of wood. Coarse should remove the mill arcs. Follow with progressively finer grits. Cast iron should be easier to abrade but a large area dampens one's enthusiasm.

   When you are done and achieve a polished mirror-like surface, you will not care for it. Your face will be sufficiently contorted (remember 'blood, sweat and tears'  <g> ) that will not stand up to that shiny refelective surface.

    

   Good luck and best wishes,

   Metod

2. 
   UnclePablo | Apr 29, 2007 03:30pm | #2

   Hey Lou,

   When it's time to dress the tops of stationary equipment I've found that using a Scotchbrite type pad on a hook&loop RO sander works effectively. If there is rust to contend with a little penetrating spray like WD-40 under the pad helps. I usually follow up this procedure with a coat of paste wax.

   This won't "polish" the cast iron to a mirror finish but will produce a very smooth finish. 

   -Paul 

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 30, 2007 03:23am | #3

   Hi Lou,

   How's the new shop coming along?  And the RAS?  Just kidding.

   Weekly, I take some wrumpled up wax paper from the grocery store and go over all my shiny cast iron work surfaces.  If I spot some rusty fur anywhere I first take a pad of 0000 steel wool and gad up a bit of Butchers wax on the it and apply it.  Let it dry to a haze, them wipe off with paper towels.

   For the past year I haven't had to deal with the rusty fur using my wax paper treatment, if I keep to the weekly regiment.

   Best Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   loucarabasi | Apr 30, 2007 04:06am | #4

   The shop is going very slow! One thing leads to another. If I do this, I might as well do this too. I have a few kitchens to do when I get up and running. I have been drawing a salary from my settlement $ from my old shop. So I best be cracking. I never tried the wax paper. It seems like a good idea.

   Thanks, Lou

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 30, 2007 04:25am | #5

   Lou,

   Best of luck with the shop.  I'm sure it will work out for you.

   I will be retiring to my woodshop soon and making pieces for my leasure and for the wife.  Spent today making a new bench contraption to house the RAS and Chopsaw in line so as to share a common fence, along with the drill press.

   Oh and finished up the birdhouses for the wife to toll (sp?) paint.  I'm having so much fun it's a sin!

   Regards,

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   loucarabasi | May 25, 2007 03:49am | #12

   Hey Bob, send a picture over of you new ras an miter saw bench. I need some idears. Thanks, Lou

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 29, 2007 08:35pm | #13

   Hi Lou,

   Sorry not to get back to you sooner; been busy getting the summer cottage ready for the season.  I inherited it over the winter and is in need of much repair.

   As to the new saw bench, I'm still wrestling with placement of the RAS/CMS/Press.  I've just cobbled the pieces together and will get back to it tonight, I hope.  Will post when nearer to completion.  It should be soon as I really need to get going on the next project.

   Entertainment cabinet for the wife.  It will be different than the usual center!

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jun 03, 2007 01:40pm | #14

   Morning Lou,

   Just picked up 3 solid core doors that will become the top for the sawbench.  The bench will be placed on a wall that is the inside of a gambrel shaped roofline.  I'm in the construction stages at this point and will post pics when it gets closer to final.

   Basically I'm making a series of uprights made from lap jointed 2/4's that will support the tops.  To make use of the gambrel shape, I will make bins under the saws to capture sawdust that can be pulled out for disposal/recycling of the sawdust.

   In the spaces left over I will construct several shelves and run strapping the along the lengths that will collect the offcuts and provide space for storage of wood to acclimate to the shop.  Also this will afford storage of varying lengths from long to short from the floor up to the benchtop.  On the bottom shelf I can slide in nearly an 8' piece of wood. Hope that makes sense!?.....

   I've been wrestling with this for quite some time as my shop is small and I want to maximize the space at hand.  I'll post more in a separate discussion as the project gets closer to completion.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 6/3/2007 6:44 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

2. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 30, 2007 05:32pm | #6

   The waxed paper idea is great. Quick and easy.

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 30, 2007 07:31pm | #7

   What a great idea with the waxed paper!  Me being a woman, of course I want to try ironing it, LOL.  Lay the paper down, put a piece of muslin or something over it, and press with medium heat.  ROFL!  Hubby would faint if he came in and found me "ironing" the table saw, since I hardly ever iron anything else.[Typing w/ 1 paw sucks; plz 4give typos]forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 30, 2007 08:36pm | #8

   Just don't try starching it.

2. 
   Joe Sullivan | Apr 30, 2007 09:42pm | #9

   You could iron it through a few layers of newspaper and save the cloth. BTW, Jamie, how are your lungs and your hand coming along?J

   Edited 4/30/2007 2:42 pm ET by Joe Sullivan

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 01, 2007 02:39am | #10

   Hi everyone,

   I must confess that this idea is not original to me.  I saw it on a WEB page but for the life of me I can't remember where.  It does work, at least for me.

   What I like most is that it puts a very thin layer on and doesn't intefere with anything that I know of.  On the downside, you have to re-apply somewhat more often than perhaps more expensive solutions may require.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   forestgirl | May 01, 2007 02:55am | #11

   Pretty much done with the cold; typing with two hands, and a little work in the shop, but another day or two before I can trust the R hand to be totally reliable, methinks.  Three days ago, I couldn't even stir my coffee with that hand!  Lots of ice, Naprosin and splinting.  Thanks!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)