| One of woodworking's biggest bummers has to be a | | | | bees wax. |
| table saw with blade wheel and tilt gears that are so | | | | Lithium grease is another popular option for lubricating |
| caked with sawdust that they become difficult to turn. | | | | your table saw gears. Lithium grease comes in two |
| Especially if you're a hobbyist who has been waiting all | | | | varieties - spray on and lubricant in a tube. |
| week to get into the wood shop to work on a project. | | | | The spray on variety dries to a light coat and typically |
| The problem that most woodworkers have stems | | | | penetrates well and even cleans the gears a little. One |
| from the use of "wet" or sticky grease that most table | | | | issue you may find with the spray on lithium lubricant is |
| saw manufacturers use in the factory. They slather | | | | that it doesn't leave a thick coat. This may be fine for |
| this grease on thick and it works beautifully for a time - | | | | certain applications but may not give you the ultimate in |
| until your blade wheel only turns with a hammer. | | | | smooth turning. |
| Some woodworkers claim that grease of this manner | | | | The lithium grease that comes in a tube is dense like |
| is never a problem, that they get years of great turning | | | | grease. Apply it liberally in a good thick coat to achieve |
| out of their blade and tilt gears lubricated just as they | | | | the levels of smoothness and motion that you're used |
| come from the factory. For these folks the chances | | | | to in brand new machines. |
| are good that they are both light woodworkers - that | | | | Another popular lubricant found at most bike stores is |
| is, they don't log many hours in the wood shop - and | | | | spray-on graphite lube. It dries to a nice powder that |
| that they use dust collection. Which every | | | | doesn't collect dust, though doesn't give you the |
| woodworker should be doing by the way for safety | | | | density of application that lithium grease does. |
| purposes. | | | | One expensive and highly-lubricating alternative is |
| For the hobbyist with dust collection though it's still | | | | AntiSeize cpd, found in auto supply stores and used on |
| advisable to keep a close watch on those blade and | | | | spark plugs. This metal-added lubricant sticks in a |
| tilt gears to make sure they're not gumming up too | | | | manner similar to paint and works extremely well at |
| bad. | | | | high temperatures. It's more expensive but like the |
| If you're having a problem with turning your gears - or | | | | other lubricants mentioned does not attract dust. |
| want to preemptively maintain your gears with a | | | | Other Lubrication Points for Your Table Saw |
| non-sticky lubricant - you'll need to first clean off the | | | | The bed of your table saw needs regular maintenance |
| grease and sawdust. | | | | too. Scrub it off regularly and spray it with a teflon |
| Read your manual first before attempting any sort of | | | | based dry lubricant to keep the wood from binding. |
| maintenance - that should always be your first guide to | | | | Consider lubricating your saw blades as well with a |
| keeping your gears cleaned and rotating smoothly. | | | | Blade Lubricant Stick. The oils and waxes in the stick |
| In addition to, or possibly following what your manual | | | | make your blade cut more cleanly through your |
| recommends you could clean off the gunk first with a | | | | projects and helps extend the life of your blade. |
| rag, and then use an old toothbrush to clean off the | | | | Bearing lubricant is another important lube to |
| remaining gunk and grease. | | | | investigate for your table saw - a good, penetrating |
| Finally - if you have it - use compressed air to really | | | | lubricant that will protect and seal the bearing's inner |
| clean the gears of any remaining sawdust. | | | | workings and extend the overall life of your saw. |
| Then you've got to spend some time deciding which | | | | Read Your Table Saw Manual for More Tips |
| lubricant you're going to use. | | | | As with any after-market tips or tricks you should |
| There are a number of non-greasy, non-sticky lubricant | | | | always consult your tool manual before you start any |
| options that tend not to attract saw dust. | | | | maintenance applications. If your manual lacks |
| Perhaps one of the most popular is simple bees wax - | | | | appropriate information then consider contacting the |
| the kind often used for sealing toilets. Use that tooth | | | | manufacturer directly, or the experts at the store |
| brush and brush on a good healthy coat of wax. | | | | where you bought the saw. |
| Paraffin wax - the kind often available at grocery | | | | And most importantly - be safe and have fun (and |
| stores for use in canning - is another alternative to | | | | ALWAYS in that order...). |