cleaning cast iron saw table

[Dangermouse 2nd]

For me parrifin is and excellent medium, gets into the rust and acts as a carrier for the removed rust and not really as noxious as most other stuff and you can use the rags to start a fire in the worshop stove after.

 

[Geoff_S]

Wallace is using phosphoric acid on his Wadkin RS lathe. Would this work?

 

[ED65]

Acids tend to be a soak-in proposition, unless thickened and turned into a gel (hence Naval Jelly) so that they can remain on the surfaces, esp. angled and vertical surfaces, long enough for the acid to have the desired effect.

 

[wallace]

Geoff if you had something big enough to submerge your item then it works a treat

 

[gmgmgm]

Should all cast iron tables end up shiny? My Startrite table is shiny, but my old Wadkin planer is a glorious dull earthy colour which doesn't LOOK like rust. Maybe it's been linseeded.

 

[Jacob]

Should all cast iron tables end up shiny? My Startrite table is shiny, but my old Wadkin planer is a glorious dull earthy colour which doesn't LOOK like rust. Maybe it's been linseeded.

I've got old saws which were very rusty. Linseed oil applied and after a lot of use they are still dark brown to black but also shiny. After even more use the metal starts to show through dull grey.
So yes - no need the clean back to metal. In fact if you just use the thing whatever it is it will polish up naturally without doing anything at all.

 

[andersonec]

Abranet. Start with 80 grit, finish with 240. Works well without a lubricant but will need a vacuum cleaner.

Andy