Smoothing aluminum table saw top

Mike O. · 2004-09-16T02:34:11+00:00

I have a ten year old table saw with an aluminum top. Overall it serves myneeds at this time (and more importantly, my budget), but I've noticed thesurface isn't very smooth. It's flat, but the surface itself feels rough(sort of like sandstone). I'm starting to get into a somewhat betterquality of woodworking and I'm also seeing it leave some black marks on thewood (from the table, not the blade), which from the searching I've doneseems to be from rough aluminum.I know cast iron is the "standard" surface, but a new saw isn't an option atthis time.I've done some searching about smoothing the top, but mainly what I've foundis to use paste wax (no silicone!) to protect it and make it slick. Beforeapplying that, I was wondering about possibly a light touch with somethinglike 0000 steel wool or 600+ wet/dry sand paper. Would something like thishelp (or hurt)?Any suggestions would be appreciated.Mike O.

Sep 16, 2004 20 Replies

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Mike O. 21 years ago

I'd like to thank everybody for the comments.

What I ended up doing was a good cleaning with mineral spirits, then LIGHTLY went over it with some 600grit & water, then, again very lightly with a 1 micron fiber optic polish sheet & water. Let it dry & Johnson's paste wax.

The top feels as smooth as glass.

Thanks again for the responses.

Mike O.

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Smoothing aluminum table saw top

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