Bringing "Grandpas" old table saw back from the dead

[phansen39]

I have my grandfathers old table saw 1974 9" craftsman table saw.

The cast table was rusty and pitted. Used a wire wheel and flap disc to remove the rust. I think that was a mistake. Surface is a uneven now. You can see the flap disk marks. What can you guys recommend to even out the surface. Random orbital. Belt grinder ?

 

[deter]

wire wheel was a good idea, flap disc was a bad idea.... really, if you want it to be true again, it will need to be machined flat

 

[luvit]

i have some great memories on my grandfather's craftsman table saw.

i don't know the extent of your damage, but it depends on what you cut.
if you're cutting expensive walnut for fine furniture, then you may want the table to be true.
if you''re cutting plywood or 2x4s for your garage and barn, then not biggie.

either way, i would probably eye-it-out further with more wire wheel or more flapper, if it's terrible.

what's a straight-edge show when you lay it on the blade's throat plate to the right edge?
if the damage is limited to you producing a dip in the table, then it may not affect most cuts of wood.
do you have pics?

.

 

[phansen39]

Its still flat. Flap disk did more blemishes than gouges.

 

[brianh]

Hit it with a random orbital,wax it and your good.

 

[srmofo]

I did the same with my grandpas tablesaw. I used a finerr grit though and worked it from the same angle so the marks are orientated the same direction. When finished,i used a vibrating sander with steel wool and mineral spirits. Cleaned it off, and skinned it up with johnsons paste floor wax.

 

[phansen39]

Did some more work on the cast table. Decided to stop here.
Before and after

 

[phansen39]

Well lets take a look at those motor bearings:

Yikes


The new ones from Oreilly's auto parts

 

[willy3486]

One way to get rust off is to take one of the razor blade scrapper holders and scrape the rust off. Don't do it at a big angle and it comes right off. Then use other ways like the rust remover stuff.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Looks like the top came out nice. Got plans for paint?

 

[phansen39]

For paint pretty much this:

 

[A_Pmech]

Hit it with a random orbital,wax it and your good.

Bingo! I usually hit new machine tables with the random orbit at about 600 grit with some WD-40 to "deburr" the usually crappy grinding job. After waxing they're slick as snot.