Waxing scroll saw table

[Maria (Guest)]

Could someone suggest what is the best wax to use on my scroll saw table. I just read in an article that waxing it would help to move the material being cut more easily. Are they talking about car wax, furniture finishing wax, or what? Thanks for the info.

[Diane Maluso (Guest)]

Maria, I use Johnson's paste wax on all my cast iron tool surfaces. I wipe it on with a piece of fine steel wool or a fine scotchguard pad, let it dry, and buff it off. Slick as can be.

[Mike M (Guest)]

Diane is right. The people who wax the table seem to like that the best. I never wax my table, wood moves freely enough for me.
If the table is too smooth you might push too hard into the blade and have trouble of controlling the blade.
Mike

[JohnP]

Maria; Ive been using neutral paste shoe polish for 30+ years on all machine tables, I've never had any trouble with wood staining or anything else. I just cover the top, let it dry then buff it out.
JohnP

[LoriUK]

Hi Maria, I just read an article in Fine Woodworking that suggests using a piece of crumpled wax paper to buff the table. I haven't tried it yet myself.
Lori

[Violetlion]

I use the same thing I use on wood...Butcher's Boston Polish Paste Wax. Not only does wax make you work slide easier but it helps prevent rust, which is a prime concern where I live.
Carole

[Messman]

I also wax my table tops. But I limit it to my table saw and router table. I do not way my scrollsaw table because I want to have a "positive control" over my work piece (I don't want it to slide around on me) there. So before you wax all your tops think about control issues, ask yourself if you want your work pieces to slide over the surface better. Also make sure you buff well.

Keep On Woodworking
Chris

http://members.cox.net/messman123/messman.htm

[Woodcutting fool]

I didn't feel like waxing mine all the time so I sprayed on several coats of clear lacquer finish after an extremely thorough cleaning. Haven't seen rust on it in years....