The top of my table saw has rusted!

This is not good.

It's not the side pieces, its the surface in the middle. The steel is rusting all over, there is one spot which is about 6 inches by 8 inches which is deeply rusted, the rest is a fine pattern of rust.

The problem is that the surface is lightly roughened with a pattern of swirls out of the factory.

I had the top covered with plastic and was very surprised when I uncovered it to find all of that rust.

Two questions: How can I get rid of the rust (Wood will not slide smoothly over the rust)?

How can I prevent further rust in future?

The rest of machine is sound, it is only that steel plate on the table top which has rusted.

David

Spray the saw and table down with some WD-40. (Or equivalent) then use some fine Scotch-Brite and some elbow grease to remove any rust. You might need to disassemble portions of the table and saw to ensure all rust areas are removed.

To avoid this from happening again, before you store the saw away lightly coat all metal surfaces with a fine coat of lightweight oil. Spraying the oil from a water spray bottle works well. Then cover it with plastic. Prior to the next time you use it, just wipe off the oil with an absorbent rag or towel.

Of course make sure the saw in unplugged prior to performing these tasks .

Thanks Koz

Cheers

David

One note that I may make here. Do not use plastic or any other non-porous material to cover titems that you do not want to rust.

As the plastic can't breath, it will trap
moisture under it and cause rusting.

Use something like a canvas tarp. This will keep water off but easily "Breath" any trapped moisture out.

While I have had luck with the oil treatment, I was told that oil is hygroscopic meaning it itself will attach and hold moisture. I think for extended periods of time, I would use some sort of metal protector or a wax.

You remember the old kosmoline (sp) from the service.

Cosmoline? Isn't that more of a wax than an oil? Or am I thinking of something else?

David

Maybe you have to be from my generation to actually "remember" cosmoline, but as I recall, it was (still is?) more like a dark brown Vaseline.