The upkeep and cleanliness of a table saw are essential to efficient and wise workshop practices. A saw table is an expensive piece of equipment and it is important to maintain it correctly. How you maintain that saw depends upon the kind of saw table materials, as different approaches are needed to each type. Most quality saw tables have a bed which is made of cast iron.

Cast Iron tables.

Although this makes a perfect bed for your work, being very solid in nature, cast iron can rust and from the first day of owning your table saw, it is a responsibility of an owner to ensure that the table is always kept in tip top condition. The use of wood may not seem to the newcomer to be something which would encourage rust, although the assumption would be wrong. Wood has a certain amount of moisture, and what happens if that moisture is allowed to touch the saw table, it will cause rust.

Factory coatings.

When you first get your saw from the factory, it will already be coated because the manufacturer knows that protection of the surface at all times is essential, and will want to protect it during transit. Upon reaching your workshop, it will be up to you to prepare the saw table for use by removing the protective grease from the surface, ready to be primed for use. This can be removed with white spirit, though be careful to use a cloth which does not scratch. Do not apply excessive amounts of white spirit, and apply it to the cloth rather than to the machine itself.

Things you need to purchase with your machine.

At the time of purchase, be aware that you will need to buy a lubrication wax to keep that table in good condition. Check with the manufacturers of your table for their recommendations, although Liberon do make a lubrication wax especially for workshop maintenance, which can be purchased in a 500 ml tin.

What you do when you use a product like this is extend the lifespan of the machinery by protecting the surface from harm. There are other products available which give this protection and come in the form of sprays. Dry PTFE sprays give a non stick coating and also reduce the natural friction caused in day to day use of the saw table.

Application of lubricating wax.

Applying the Liberon lubricating wax is simple. After the surface has been cleaned thoroughly of grease, the surface is cleaned with 000 grade wire wool which is the finest grade available. The wax is rubbed onto the table and left for a couple of hours to dry. Taking a very soft cloth, be careful to avoid areas with intricate parts such as gages and buff the whole area thoroughly. Never use silicone base products. This is vital as these can stain the wood and also damage the surface.

This process is an ongoing one. Cast iron will rust unless this is adhered to on a regular basis, depending on how much the table is used, though at least once every two months.

Heavy gage galvanized finishes on saw tables.

These are much easier to clean and simply need to be swept regularly. The galvanization will stop rust occurring though the table should always be cleaned between uses. A long dust brush helps you to clear the table of saw dust and debris. Keep your table saw in a dry area and ensure that liquids do not come into contact with the table.

Keeping your table saw in good condition becomes part of a woodworker's routine. It's every bit as vital as the changing of blades, or the putting away of tools after use, and should always be considered as vital to the maintenance procedures within the workshop, to help sustain the lifespan of your machinery and to get the very best you can out of it's readiness for the next job.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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