[Therichinc]

I have a older delta contractors table saw with the cast iron add on feed trays. The fence and the trays are old and starting to rust making sliding a board over them a challenge. What can I do about this? I was thinking sandblast the trays and have them painted and clear coated and same with fence. Does this sound feasible or is there another way to get this saw back to good working order? It was a hand me down from my uncle and I'm just getting into woodworking so any help with this would be greatly appreciated..

 

[bluespook]

There are chemicals, can't now remember name, that will remove the rust. Dry parts good, then coat with floor wax. Johnson & Johnson will do fine. Buff and you're ready to go. Get chems at HD I'm sure. Wax will protect surface from further rust, and will allow wood to slide nicely. I use wax on all my table tops...jointer, table saw, planer, band saw, etc. relax as needed.

Sandblasting will roughen surface, and you don't want that.

Good luck.

Blue

 

[Therichinc]

Thanks blue.. Much appreciated.. I'll see what I can do..

 

[captainawesome]

Try Evaporust. Stuff works wonders on cast iron if used correctly. Aside from that I usually use WD40, scotch brite pads, and elbow grease. +1 on the paste wax. I use that stuff on anything cast iron or that will have a board slid across it.

 

[cabinetman]

Very bad rust you may need to sand off. To protect it after, use Top Cote.

.

 

[Therichinc]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll get on it in the next day or two and hopefully get it worked out..

 

[toolguy1000]

or try this method, used by steve shanessy of pop. WW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSJjN8jvdp4&feature=relmfu

 

[BernieL]

I went to an auto part store and bought a can of wadding soaked in a rust eating chemical that evaporates - so keep the lid on the can. It's in a small silver tin and it's called "NeverDull". When I find rust, I rip off a small piece and rub the rust loose and wipe it off.

Be careful as to what you use to coat your tables with. Sometimes oils will get into the wood and affect the finish.

 

[tvman44]

I have used fine sand paper or steel wool then apply a couple of coats of Johnson & Johnson paste floor wax buffing down in between coats. I reapply a coat every few months and no more rust. In fact my tools sat idle unused for almost 20 years due to work and I had put a heavy coat of J&J floor wax on them and when I retired 2 years age my tools still had no rust.

 

[dvalery20]

I have a older delta contractors table saw with the cast iron add on feed trays. The fence and the trays are old and starting to rust making sliding a board over them a challenge. What can I do about this? I was thinking sandblast the trays and have them painted and clear coated and same with fence. Does this sound feasible or is there another way to get this saw back to good working order? It was a hand me down from my uncle and I'm just getting into woodworking so any help with this would be greatly appreciated..

You could always toss out the trays and make wing extensions out of melamine and 1x4 pine, then trace the mounting holes from the wings onto the new tops and then mount them. It will probably be cheaper than sanding and respraying, and you'll have a surface that is ultra smooth that wont rust.
You could also extend the wing(s) for extra support on large projects needing cross cutting, just an idea.

 

[Dopalgangr]

http://www.jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm

I use CLR, you can get it at Home Depot. It will remove the rust but I don't know what you can do for any pitting.