Tim's Tool Tips Volume 1

Tip: #1
Question: A rust ring has developed on my cast iron table top where my son left a soda can, how do I make my top look like new again and keep it that way without spending a lot of time and money?

Solution: Empire TopSaver®- Spray TopSaver onto the entire surface (rusted or not) then use the gray ultra fine abrasive pad to massage the fluid into the pores of the metal. The scrubbing action will allow the TopSaver to penetrate and remove the rust and all other contaminates from the pores of the metal surface. You may need to repeat this process several times, wiping the surface clean with a shop towel between applications. Once the surface is cleaned to your liking, apply a final coat of TopSaver let dry to seal and protect the surface. Note: this same procedure is good for removing rusty finger prints and oxidation from all metal surfaces.

Tip: #2
Question: I just opened my new 14” band saw and it has an oily waxy sticky substance covering all the non painted metal surfaces. What is the easiest way to remove this substance and not the paint?

Solution: Empire TopSaver®- Spray TopSaver on to the coated metal surface and let it stand for 30 seconds, then wipe it clean with a shop towel. Reapply and repeat this process until the surface is completely clean. The TopSaver will penetrate deep into the metal and open the pores removing the petroleum protective products with out harming the painted surfaces.

Tip: #3
Question: My grandfather would squirt motor oil onto his clamps and his saw adjustment mechanisms, it was messy and didn’t seem to last too long. What type of oil should I put on my table saw’s rough and fine fence adjustments, tension screws and trunions to prevent them from sticking and galling the metal threads?

Solution: Empire Dri-Tool Lubricant®- Although oil is a great lubricant, it is not the best one for these mentioned applications; I would suggest using the Empire Dri-Tool Lubricant. Dri-Tool Lubricant has a deep penetrating solvent carrier that will clean and remove all oil and grease from threaded rods and sliding adjustments. Its micro lubricant bonds to any metal surface and is 100% dry which allows it to resist the saw dust and moisture while providing a slick but dry surface for metal to metal contact. Don’t worry about messy, it’s a clear lubricant that won’t contaminate or stain your wood fibers.

Tip: #4
Question: After ripping down several sheets of ¾” plywood on my table saw, my favorite high dollar saw blade doesn’t seem to cut as well as it did before. The saw tooth edge is still sharp to the touch, but there is a thin build up of burned on gum and glue build-up on the teeth and saw. What is the fastest way clean off this build up with out harming the carbide teeth and taking the coating off the saw body?

Solution: Empire BladeSaver®- Today plywood and all manmade-engineered wood products are produced with water-based glues that are more environmentally friendly. These glues have a longer cure time and don’t always handle higher cutting temperatures as well. To clean off this build-up and make your saw look and cut like new use Empire BladeSaver and spray the blade thoroughly. Wait 15-30 seconds before wiping the build up away with a paper or cotton shop towel. If you have heavy build-up try scrubbing with a soft scrub brush or let is sit a little longer before wiping it off. When the first side is clean reapply and repeat for the second side. The BladeSaver water based cleaner makes this process effortless by allowing the acids to re-act, thus releasing the build-up from the saw surface. Once the saw is clean, to prevent it from rusting, use TopSaver to protect the metal surface.

Tip: #5
Question: I recently took a class on basic woodworking techniques. The class instructor demonstrated to us how to prevent binding or surface hanging ups, he used paste wax on the table top and guide fence. This seemed like a lot of hard physical work, not to mention time consuming. Is there an easier way to stop the binding other than polishing by hand with wax?

Solution: Empire Table-Top Lubricant®- Yes! There is an easier way and your instructor was not wrong with his selection of paste wax to stop the binding process; however, he may not have been familiar with the latest advancements in technology that are available for this trade wide problem. Today with all the advancements in technology we now have the proper way to accomplish both table top lubrication and protection in an easy to use spray. Use Table-Top Lubricant and TopSaver to maintain a clean, rust-free, non-binding table top or feed bed. Follow these simple steps: Clean your top with Topsaver to remove any oil, grease, wax or other protective coatings put on in the manufacturing process. Spray on Empire Table-Top Lubricant wipe off the excess with a shop towel. Table-Top Lubricant bonds instantly to the micro structure of the table top surface creating a dry lubricious coating, eliminating wood binding and surface hang–ups when moving wood across metal. It doesn’t get easier than just spray and wipe!