I have recently taken my tools out of storage and have set up my shop in the basement of a house I recently purchased. An insepection of the tools (e.g. table saw, joiner, scroll saw, drill press; all Delta tools) has revealed that they have some rust on the metal surfaces. I have removed most of the loose rust with steel wool. I want to do a better job on the surfaces and have ordered some nylon mesh abrasive discs that will fit to my 6″ random orbit sander. I am planning on using these pads with grease mix lapping compound (280 grit and 120 grit). Before I begin, I was wondering if anybody had any advice. Am I going about this correctly, or is there a better method.
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Replies
WAIT!!! If you start power sanding you're sure to create low areas on your machined surfaces. Use some CLR bathroom cleaner or vinegar, rub with a ScotchBrite pad, clean, then apply a light oil or wax. You'll still have some minor discoloration, but that only affects appearance. The other way may ruin your equipment.
Jeff
PS. There is a rather long discussion on rust removal in either this forum or the one on woodworking tools.
What is this mania people have for rust removal? Everyone seems obsessive compulsive about having shiny cast iron, a little rust and spotting does no harm, just wax the sufaces regularly, (just waxing alone with a paper towel will remove alot of surface rust.) Rust is like fingerprints on a stainless steel refrigerator, learn to live with it.
Greg
A little steel wool, oil, and elbow grease aught to do it. In the future, you can use furniture paste wax on the cast iron machined surfaces.
My TS top has a beautiful dark patina from years of spillage, glue, blood, rain, you name it. It's kinda my work table when every other surface is filled to capacity (which is most of the time). Sometimes I tilt it sideways to get everything off the top so I can use it :) .
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
PlaneWood
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