A Bargain

[Ruffnek]

I started woodworking in earnest back in 2003 when I joined the ww.com forum. One of the first forum "truths" that I learned was to use Johnson Paste Wax on the cast iron tops of one's tools. No Boeshield, Super-Duper Rust Inhibitor, Easy Gliding Whatever...just plain old Johnson Paste Wax that one can even find at the grocery store.

So, I went out and bought a can. I used up the last bit from that can today putting wax on the underside of a shop-built jig for cutting miter-key slots.

First of all, if you are scoring at home, that's seven years. I generally wax the cast iron on my machines once a month. I also use the wax to lube the trunnions and gears on my TS as well as to ensure some of my jigs don't become part of my glue-ups. In other words, it didn't just sit in a drawer all that time. It got used regularly.

Knowing I was about out, I picked up another can at HD a couple weeks ago. Now, I can't guarantee that it or yours will last seven years but I can guarantee that you will get a bargain for your money.

BTW, I have never had a problem with rust on my cast iron tables, either.

[boodrow]

Wax is a good thing, its slick and makes thangs slick. Good post Cody
Boodrow

[Beamer]

Hear Hear!!!

JPW is my only rust preventative ... absolute bargain.

I started in '04 and still have more than half my first can - i don't wax quite as often as cody, but it's gonna be a a long time before i need another one!

Fine stuff. I won't spend $7- 15 bucks on a can of any slick stuff again

[TDHofstetter]

Got a couple cans myself - I've got a bit more cast iron than most people.

I waxed the battleship router table last night... and TODAY I finally got it set up in a "real" location in the shop, permanent as a PL stain, ugly as sin but fulla' sturd. Now I've gotta' raise the rear legs (all four of 'em) on the table saws 1/4" so wood being ripped will clear the router table's top. Then it'll also serve as an outfeed table.

[Doug B]

I was educated about JPW at WW.com too and my can is still half full after serveral years and it is all I use on the jointer, planer, table saw, and band saw and more recently a shaper. In the low humidity we usually have here in southern NM I don't have to use it as often as most folks would, but it has definitely been one of my most economical woodworking purchases ever. And, for some reason, I absolutely love the smell of the stuff..

[rrich]

Here in Huntington Beach, we aren't what you would call a humid area. I'll wax with JPW every other month or so. Great stuff and sooooo cheap.

At one point there was a RUMOR that JPW was to be discontinued. I contacted SC Johnsons and was told not true. I have a couple of cans laying about.

[deathwish]

I too learned of it back over 'there' . . . but never bought it . . . 'round these parts there is a product called 'Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax' . . . and it does the same.

I use it on my cast iron . . . . and use the 'Butcher's Boston Polish' (same thing, but in amber) on my dining room table . . . both get used on projects in the shop as well!

And yeah . . .a little goes a L-O-N-G way.

[Leo Voisine]

Same story

It was late in the year 2003 - and I landed on Butcher Paste wax.

Bottom of the can fully exposed - still some around the perimeter in the bottom.

Michelles Dresser got a coat of it last Monday.

Definately - a bargain.

[imahic]

+1 on the Johnson's Paste Wax. It is good stuff for sure. Still got a can that has been in the shop for several years.

[dcarter636]

Johnson's paste wax has worked well for me, except during my experiment with a propane heater in deep winter , otherwise I only wax the machines and cast iron tools once or twice a year seeing as how we don't allow much humidity here.

About half way through my third can after 20 years or so; the first can was purloined from under the kitchen sink way back when.

[gomer]

I have even used it on my pair of 10year old ropers. Best substitute for saddle soap that there is.

[sawduster]

The Johnson's is getting a bit hard to find around here. I checked two or three grocery stores before I was able to find it at Walmart. Never thought to look at HD or Lowes, but I know HD has a pretty good "cleaning" aisle with some "Industrial Strength" stuff you don't find in grocery stores. I've been using the same can for ever, it seems like, and I even use it as a cleaner on my cast iron stuff. The ammonia in it does a fine job of loosening lots of stuff that gets stuck the iron. Applied with a green scotchbrite, a little scrubbing and wiping, then an application to leave in place.

[elizabeth]

I love it too! It's what I use but we live in high humidity and I'm on my third can. I'm finishing my projects with a coat of it, and then buff it to a nice sheen. I'm with Doug: I like how it smells. I also use it on screws and nails so they go into the wood easier.

[art3427]

My first exposure to JPW was when I was about 8 years old and had to wax Mama's hardwood floors with it. I've got a can in my shop about 3 years old and I'll probably get 2 more out of it.

Heck, I may go ahead and get another can in case we have a national emergency and it gets hard to find.

art