Replies

1. 
   Bioman | Sep 17, 2005 01:41pm | #1

   I remove what is there as it is sometimes heavier than needed or more as a rust protectant.  I would use never seize or a similiar dry moly lubricant on the worm gears.

2. 
   daveinnh | Sep 18, 2005 01:18am | #2

   When I unboxed and cleaned up my new Unisaw last fall, I used a product called "Grez-Off" from an auto parts store.  A box of those disposable paper rags is real handy for removing that grease.

    

3. 
   BrentS | Sep 18, 2005 06:18am | #3

   Take off the majority of it with rags and then clean it with kerosene. Use Topcote or wax to protect the top afterwards, and lithium grease or graphite on all the gears. Don't cut any wood until you've cleaned the gears well or the shipping protectorant and the saw dust are going to become one huge pain to clean after.

    

   Brent

   
   

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   Edited 9/17/2005 11:21 pm ET by BrentS

4. 
   propmonkey | Sep 18, 2005 07:34am | #4

   Most new machinery is coated with grease when shipped. This is good for shipping but bad for use - sawdust adheres to grease. Remove the grease with alcohol or acetone and apply a nice wax instead.

   Propmonkey

1. 
   philip | Sep 18, 2005 08:24am | #5

   I don't want to be otherwise here-but acetone or alcohol are not good-will attack the paint work, to say nothing of the acetone fumes and headache to come.
   It would be better to use parraffin (kerosene in the U.S I think) in between sipping delicately at your Jack Daniels.
   Parraffin, with lots of paper towels, followed by clean rags , followed by Southern Comfort.No fumes, no headache and a good anti-rust.
   Philip Marcou

1. 
   jazzdogg | Sep 18, 2005 09:31pm | #6

   Hi Philip,

   Sounds like you and I are using variants of the same formula: Last tablesaw I assembled involved naphtha to remove the rust protectant, paste wax with a high carnauba content to protect the clean-but-vulnerable cast iron surfaces, and 18-year-old single-malt scotch to relax and celebrate the completed project!

   Sawdust in your shoes,-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   ohcomeon | Sep 19, 2005 06:48am | #7

   scotch tastes like the sawdust from my shoes after a hot day working! ;)

   Sorry, couldn't resist. 

2. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 19, 2005 02:20pm | #8

   Philip.. Now THAT is good thinking!

5. 
   forestgirl | Sep 20, 2005 03:29am | #9

   That "stuff" is cosmoline, to protect the saw while shipping.  I use a wide spatula to scrape off the bulk of it on big wide surfaces, kerosene to get off the rest.  Most manufacturers say do not use strong solvents such as lacquer thinner.  Once you get it all off, give the table a nice coat of furniture wax (Johnson's, Minwax, or Butcher's wax), update periodically -- how often depends on the humidity at your place.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)