Shopsmith Forums

Just for grins, I bought a can of SC Johnson original formula Paste Wax, and did some comparisons with my can of MinWax Finishing Wax. Also looked up the SDS (Safety Data Sheet). and other info. on both products to see if there were any substantial differences. The SDS didn't have enough detail to really compare the two products. They, on purpose, do not pin down the exact formula to avoid competitive copying. However MinWax claims 68% mineral spirit solvent and about 18% paraffin, other stuff not mentioned. the Johnson only says greater than 60% solvents (several different ones are mentioned), and somewhere between 10 to 30% wax. Perhaps a chemist could dig better than I did on my quick internet search.

As far as using both products, I did some side by side comparisons on the SS tubes and table surface. Both waxes went on easily and buffed out well. After buffing them out, both surfaces seemed equally slick. Of course, don't know if one lasts better than the other. Just feeling each product from the can, they seem pretty similar in terms of softness and lubricity.

So anyway, I have plenty of wax (probably 2 lifetimes worth). I'll use both of them & see if over time I can tell any difference. The big thing is to buff either out well so sawdust doesn't stick. Also for what it is worth, some furniture wax evaluations in magazines rated them both the same for wood use.

Here is the MSDS sheet if it helps

https://www.minwax.com/document/SDS/en/US/027426786004


Light Aliphatic Hydrocarbon 68.05 64742-47-8
Paraffin Wax 19.3 8002-74-2
Ingredient name % by weight CAS number
There are no additional ingredients present which, within the current knowledge of the supplier and in the
concentrations applicable, are classified as hazardous to health and hence require reporting in this section.

It can be fun to experiment with different waxes.

I rather enjoyed using Paragon Microcrystalline wax on my Shopsmith tubes and tables. It's a wax meant for smoking-pipes, but it can work on other stuff too. To my eye, the shine was higher than paraffin types, and the slickness was fine.

I like messing with waxes; I know; I'm weird.

Chris

I use both interchangeabley. See no difference on metal or wood. Almost every project gets a coat of wax. The saw tables, tubes and other surfaces only get sporadic wax jobs. Still, a can only lasts a year or so. Don't know why but, the Johnsons always gets used up first. Maybe, cause it's stacked on top of the Minwax.