Shopsmith Forums

Hi Chettrick!
Interesting post! Maybe more expensive is less costly in the long run.

Interesting comments about using wax or top coat. I used to use Johnson paste wax on my table top, but the last couple of TA's I attended, I was told by Mike Cobb that it is not a good idea to use wax on the table top, as the problem is the possibility of contaminating the wood. What he explained is that it could get onto the material and when it comes to putting a finish on it, then if the wax were on the surface, you would not get the results you wanted. Since then I have been using top coat for the table surfaces and paste wax every where else to protect them from the elements. Like Chettrick said, you only use a little and it does go a long way.

Interesting comments. But I am not a believer. I have been using wax, exclusively, for too long without having any ill effects. I believe the problem (if there is a problem) is too much of a good thing.

If wax is in fact migrating to the wood, I contend that the wax was not properly applied and buffed. It must be put on sparingly, allowed to set and then buffed out. If that is done, I believe there will be no migration.

Occasionally, I put on wax and later find that I have wax deposits in the groves of my table top. If this happens and wood is then cut problems may well occur. Using top-cote eliminates the problem but wax was not the problem as is being stated here. Improper application is the problem.

I am a hard sell and will continue to wax.

.............

rkh2 wrote:"...I was told by Mike Cobb that it is not a good idea to use wax on the table top, as the problem is the possibility of contaminating the wood. What he explained is that it could get onto the material and when it comes to putting a finish on it, then if the wax were on the surface, you would not get the results you wanted.."

Sorry Mike Cobb past along that myth!:( Tisk - Tisk! Maybe he got wax mixed up with silicone!:rolleyes:

The Jointer uses paste wax or graphite on the parts where the in-feed table slides up and down on the main body, I think it calls for 4 or 5 coats of wax. Anybody know if Topcoat could be used here?

Hi Jim in Tucson,

When I went to a traveling academy, the instructor said that all you have to do is remember to use Top Coat on ANY surface that has wood to metal contact, and wax on ANY surface that has metal to metal contact.

If you read the ingredients of Top Cote it is nothing more than:

Naphtha (petroleum) Hydrotreated Heavy (something to cut the paraffin/wax), an accelerate, and wax/paraffin (volatile organic compound/VOC).

and paste wax:

a wax or paraffin, and an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon (something to cut the paraffin/wax)

So, they are two versions of the same thing. Wax. One is in an aerosol and the other a paste. In my judgment they could be used interchangeably.

That should shed some light onto the confusion. Now it is a question of how you choose to apply you wax, with elbow grease or spraying...

Be good,

Drew Achtermann

drewa wrote:If you read the ingredients of Top Cote it is nothing more than:

Naphtha (petroleum) Hydrotreated Heavy (something to cut the paraffin/wax), an accelerate, and wax/paraffin (volatile organic compound/VOC).

and paste wax:

a wax or paraffin, and an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon (something to cut the paraffin/wax)

So, they are two versions of the same thing. Wax. One is in an aerosol and the other a paste. In my judgment they could be used interchangeably.

That should shed some light onto the confusion. Now it is a question of how you choose to apply you wax, with elbow grease or spraying...

Be good,

Drew Achtermann

Like so much on the market to day cut through all the "ad hype" and you find there is really very little difference.

I wonder how all those added ingredients are to breath or come in contact with the skin?

I think I will stick to my paste wax, thank you!
Ed

If you check out the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), which by the why you can request from any company their MSDS on the product in question. But I am should other than you catching yourself on fire from the butane and propane, you pretty safe with the Topcote product.

Be good,

Drew Achtermann