Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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6/24/2009
Rust on Floor Drill
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have a fairly new Delta Floor drill that is slowly rusting away. Even the chuck is rusting. I have been looking for a cover like I have for my table saw but I can not find one. After reading what everyone suggest for a table saw I can only guess I will have to do this for my drill press. Garage's are not a place for woodworking equipment unless your garage is always closed. So what do I do about rust on my floor Delta drill press? |
| A. |
The enemy is rust and it must be dealt with. I highly
recommend a product called Boeshield. Clean off the rust even if you have to
use naval jelly and then regularly use Boeshield spray.
I also suggest you call HTC Products at 1-800-624-2027,
tell them Mike from American Sycamore told you to call, and order yourself a
machine cover for all your tools. I use them in my shop and I highly recommend
them to help fight rust and to protect your investment.
ToolSaver™
Machine Covers
Protect
your investment from performance threatening
condensation, rust, dust and other
workshop elements with these versatile machine covers. These unique covers are
made of rugged cotton sheeting that's scientifically coated with a special
plastisol, which allows it to breathe, yet remain water-resistant. The fabric is
then roll-hemmed around the entire perimeter with a rubberized magnet sewn into
each corner.
|
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4/16/2009
Removing Rust on Table Saw
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I purchased an older table saw. The cast iron or steel top is covered with rust. I would like to know the best way to clean it up |
| A. |
Sand lightly with 150 grit and use Rust Free from Woodcraft. Part number 03Q57. 800 225 1153 |
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4/14/2009
Rust on Jointer Bed
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have owned my Grizzly jointer for 7 years. Suddenly last Fall it began to rust. What is the best way to clean it up and keep it from happening again? |
| A. |
I recommend very very fine wet/dry sandpaper used dry (NO WATER). Use a sanding
block to keep things flat. Use light pressure over the rust area. Rinse off with
mineral spirits. Then wax with paste wax. This will help in two areas, one is
that it will inhibit future rust, and second make it easier to feed your
material across the cast iron beds. If the rust is deep and the metal is pitted,
a Dremel tool with buffer pads works, too. |
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6/27/2008
Rust Marks on My Unisaw
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
Someone left a glass of drinking water on my unisaw and it left a slight rust mark. I've tried #0000 steel wool and wd40 among other things like very fine sand paper etc., but you can still see the mark. Any suggestions and is it possible to remove all traces of the mark? |
| A. |
Ouch! Use Boeshield's rust remover in a spray can, it works for 95% of all rust issues.
|
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6/24/2008
Clean Table Tops
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
On my table saw top, my band saw table, my joiner, and drill press table top. How may I remove the tarnish and rust, bring back the original steel shine and then keep it that way? |
| A. |
For me it's a two fold process. First I treat the table top with a product called Boeshield T-9 Rust & Corrosion Protection. The product was developed by the Boeing Co. for lubricating and protection of aircraft components. Then when the T-9 is dry I apply a coat of paste wax which helps keep moisture off and makes it a smooth surface so the wood glides across the surface without friction. Try it. I think you will be happy. Mike |
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5/7/2008
Fighting Rust
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I bought a brand new Unisaw with Biesemeyer fence about a year ago. I live in humid Houston,TX and over that one year I have have multiple outbreaks of rust on the table surface and on the fence rail. I have waxed these surfaces multiple times but rust keeps coming right back. I am sick over it. How do I keep rust off my prized possession? |
| A. |
Rust is the enemy and we must continually fight it. It helps me to reduce rust that I keep my shop heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. I am continually applying auto paste wax to all my cat iron tops and I also use TopCote and Boeshield to keep my tops clean. I even sprinkle baby powder on my 12” jointer to help wood slide. I have a friend that bought those special machine covers from the HTC Company and this helps reduce rust as well. So go polish up your top and apply a good coat of wax. This will help. Good luck and let me know how you get along fighting the monster. |
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2/25/2008
Keeping Tools Rust Free - Close to the Ocean
Answer provided by Marc Adams
| Q. |
How do you prevent your hand tools and power
tools from rusting? I live 40 ft from the ocean, needless to say everything I
use, made from metal, has rust on it. Not only my prized tools, but fans,
window screens, the chain-link fence, the bars on the windows, the nails and
screws in the patio furniture, etc. My tools are inside a wooden tool shed when
not in use, even tools that are painted the rust gets underneath and raise the
paint until it cracks and falls off. I tried oiling, WD-40, spray paint,
plastic bags, etc. Tools that come in plastic containers are somewhat protected,
once it’s opened, it goes on its hanger on the shed wall. Which do I love more,
the beach or my tools? The answer is simple, both. Any help from our fellow
craftsmen will be greatly appreciated. |
| A. |
Some things to consider, dose everything inside your
house rust as well. If not then lets
think about the difference in environments.
Your house is probably insulated at least a little bit and you probably
have air conditioning. These are two big things in reducing rust on your tools.
So if we could keep your tools at a more consistent temperature by storing them
in plastic tubs wrapped with or covered with a old blanket this would help,
even stored in old coolers would help stop the condensation from occurring ,
the next thing is removing the condensation that occurs. Couple of choices her.
One is to run a dehumidifier and the other is to get some of these dry box
dehumidifiers that work by absorption. They are sold by various names but can
usually be found at the local hardware or home improvement store for placing in
crawlspaces etc. they chemically absorb moisture and place one in each of your
tool containers. Nothing will stop rust forever but this would certainly slow
it down. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/25/2008
Delta 10" Contractor's Saw - Rust
Answer provided by Marc Adams
| Q. |
A few years ago I purchased a 10"
contractor saw. Unfortunately, I haven't used it, and it has been sitting in my
garage. My question is, how do I remove the rust that has accumulated on the
table surface? The saw operates, it’s only the rust I need resolved! |
| A. |
Elbow grease, steal wool
and WD40. Or Top Saver from your local wood working store along with elbow
grease and steal wool. You could use a 5” random orbital sander with some
really fine wet/dry sandpaper. Start with
220, 340, 400. Sand only until the rust
is gone. Then polish with paste wax. |
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2/19/2008
Rust?
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I own a Delta shaper, joiner, and contractors
table saw. My ex stored them in a damp garage until the judge gave me my tools,
and now there is rust on the table tops. What is the best way to restore, and
what is the best protection from this occurring again? Also, is there anything
else I should check? |
| A. |
Well the good news is you got your tools back, and the can
be saved easily. The product I
have used for this is called RUST FREE
Rust & Stain Remover, which is
made by the same company that makes Boeshield T-9. The directions are easy to follow to clean the top of rust. Once I have completed the step the rest
for
me is a two fold process. First I treat the table top with a product called Boeshield
T-9 Rust & Corrosion Protection. The product was developed by the Boeing Co. for lubricating and
protection of aircraft components. Then when the T-9 is dry I apply a coat of paste wax which helps keep moisture off
and makes it a smooth surface so
the good glide across the surface without friction. Try it, I think you will be happy. Once the top
is done, I would perform a complete maintenance
overhaul of the saw according to the manual.
|
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2/19/2008
Keep Table Saw Top from Rusting
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
How is a good way to keep the table top from
rusting? After spending $1549 on a saw,
I would like to keep it looking nice. |
| A. |
For me it’s a two fold process. First I treat
the table top with a product called Boeshield T-9 Rust & Corrosion
Protection. The product was developed by the Boeing Co. for lubricating and protection of aircraft
components. Then when the T-9 is dry I
apply a coat of paste wax which helps keep moisture off and makes it a smooth surface so the good glide
across the surface without friction. Try it, I think
you will be happy. |
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2/1/2008
Sanding Rust
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
In your recommendations for Rust you say sand with WD-40.
What
do you use to sand with? Steel wool Etc.? |
| A. |
Depends on how bad the rust is. I usually start
with 220 grit silicone carbide. If it loads up badly I drop down to 150 grit.
Once it is cleaned up I buff with 00 steel wool. Then hit it with Top Cote. |
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1/29/2008
Question About Rust
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I saw on the Delta website that the
suggested method for getting rid of rust on a tablesaw is to use WD-40, and
hand-sand.
About the sanding... should I use
steel wool? I don't have any pitting, per se, just a little rust,
spread over some of the surface of my table saw.
Secondly, years ago, Zach Ethridge
at Highland Hardware (Atlanta)
recommended using Renaissance Wax for smooth steel
surfaces. Do you see any problem with using this product?
|
| A. |
If Zach says it is good he is
correct. Zach is good! Steel wool is
fine too. I like 220 grit silicone carbide for tough rust. I like Top Cote, a
Teflon for lasting table top coating.
|
[ Back To Main ]
6/29/2007
Rust Question
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I have recently acquired several pieces of old
woodworking machinery and need to remove heavy rust. I suspect the WD40
solution would be too slow and arduous. Any suggestions for a faster or
more complete process? |
| A: |
Navel Jelly has been the rust remover that boat
yards have used for years. It stabilizes the rust but really does little to
bring back the shine. I recommend Boeshield T-9. Sand lightly and watch things
shine. |
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6/5/2007
Rust on Table Saw & Jointer Beds
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I've been having problem with rust on my table saw bed and jointer bed, is there a product on the market that you recommend to use on it? |
| A: |
There are several that work well. First use WD 40 and hand sand the rust away. Wipe it clean then spray either TopCote Teflon Spray by Bostich or spray on Boshield.
Both work great! |
