How to CLEAN and MAINTAIN Cast Iron MACHINERY

During my 5 years working at Axminster on weekends, many of my shifts consisted of cleaning the tools and machines on display. This is because the cast iron tables were constantly being touched by customers grubby hands, and us stuff were always fighting the uphill battle to keep the surface rust at bay. While also keeping the machine looking clean and presentable to potential buyers.
This is the process I found worked best for me over those 5 years and can be applied to both machine tables and tools such as planes and chisels.
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🕵️‍♂️ WHO AM I?:
My name is Matt Estlea and I’m a Woodworker from Basingstoke, England. My aim is to make your woodworking less s***.
I come from 5 years of TRAINING at Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford, 5 years of experience WORKING at Axminster Tools and Machinery in Basingstoke, and 3 years TEACHING both day classes and evening classes at Rycotewood Furniture Centre. All while trying to get this KZbin thing off the ground.
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[@RobWhittlestone]

In metalworking and woodworking classes in school we always had to clean the machines spotlessly every time before the next class used them - 10 minutes to clean & put the apron away. I do this even today with powered saws, drills, router, sander etc. It makes coming into the workshop much nicer.

[@theofarmmanager267]

I’m pretty much like you although, unless it’s been a dusty day in the shop, I do it all last thing on a Friday or, more usually, Saturday morning which is the maintenance period for all the machinery. My need for dust free shop is behind me having everything possible put away in a closed cupboard or in drawers. I’ve just finished making upwards of 30 drawers for the shop for this reason. With regards to build up (resin, light rust) on machinery, I have always used a random orbit sander with 240 or 320 grit disc; it cleans without taking away any metal; I then use Liberon Lubricating Wax - I’ve used just about everything possible but found that the Liberon does the best job by far.

[@BLTspace]

This vid really hit the spot. As someone who grew up on cheaper tools and portable table saws that weren't really maintained... this was so enjoyable to watch. ty

[@theworkshopboxshop]

Thanks Matt and Rob for another intresting video 💯💥🍻

[@bef58115]

Great video Matt - exactly what I needed to know prior to purchasing my Axminster bandsaw!

[@jdgodwin4922]

So satisfying 😍

[@Rogerph18346]

Matt, I have a pillar drill from Axminster and the same problem with the rise and fall handle. I solved it by making a 50mm high box that fits on the drills table, then mounted my full size woodworking top on top. I used threaded inserts above and below and it all works a treat.

[@markarmstrong2592]

Great job thanks Matt

[@Rsama60]

Stange I watch Matt do something I don‘t do often in my shop, cleeeeeaaaan. I must be crazy.

[@woodworkerlife4194]

love and care for our tools is like keeping UP the workman's pleasure and mental health!

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya, nice video, thank you. I've ordered a few pieces from your list, thank you... Stay safe... Steve...

[@HCarpenter]

Good work.

[@IvanWizard-Karl]

Hey Matt, a year later but, on the off chance you see this, any chance you could at some point run through machine maintenance, you know, checking the inner workings of the planer thicknesser, that sort of thing? Given your experience with the machines I think it would be a great mini tutorial series ?! Also, can I ask, if your shop gets colder in the winter, do you do any extra steps to prevent wear and tear from a much colder, moist shop?

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Drill press table envy! Damn, another project for Ron!

[@greypoodle1]

Very good

[@paulbainbridge9358]

Had to make sure I watched this without the wife around to make the totally justified comment of, "if he can clean up, so can you!" Enjoyed the video.

[@TerribleTim68]

"Here's 10 minutes of Matt vacuuming....." You son of a......I'm in! 🤣

[@Ashe_Fenrir]

I also noticed that now that the shop is clean, Matt is actually using the dog holes in his massive amazing assembly table again!

[@travishaselden]

I've never used machine wax but an oil based furniture paste wax works wonders for keeping the rust off those iron surfaces.

[@timokuhmonen5215]

On our woodworking courses we have almost similar planer/thicknesser. It is from NOVA brand, but the Axminster looks like identical. There we had occasional wood chips problems in thicknesser. There is four bolt holes on steel plate (above height adjustment pillar in 02:17) and chips got occasionally trapped there. Then it leaves scratch marks for every wood piece, that goes through thicknesser. After cleaning it was ok....

[@timstratton9]

I literally laughed out loud when you used the marking gauge on the drill-press (Pillar drill?) table... I was thinking, wow, is he going to hand saw and chisel out this? Nope... just a jig-saw... haha... great!

[@JohnColgan.]

Haha, I thought at ,03:00 that you had written "Matt Estlea wuz ere!" With the vacuum cleaner !!

[@neilweaver8052]

Came for the advice, stayed for the soothing montages 😂

[@alexbellringer4116]

For cleaning the table on the mill the best thing to use is an oil stone to flatten in it what we do before we put vices on cnc machines

[@Ben-bp5dw]

Thanks for making the Facebook Fan Club official Matt! We just need you to join now 😂 👍

[@braydonmadeley4605]

very helpfull vidoe. not for right now, my work shop hasnt got that many tools yet. I was hoping to see something about the tracks for the bosch plunge saw. I've just bought one and I'm extremely happy with it. but it doesn't glide like I'd like it too. Any suggestions?

[@stuff6218]

Very appropriate music for tool polishing.

[@zanderchiasson8064]

For the metalworkingtools you can use a sharpening puck to flatten areas you scrub to keep them flat

[@mohammedtliguitligui1944]

Sputnik job Lol, well done!! Watching u from Morocco

[@Bogie3855]

For resin debris on cast iron or even belts I use Methyl Hydrate. Fast and leaves no film. Also it absorbs water. My flat bed sander gets a good spray of it followed by a small fine wire brush and takes heavy buildups of pitch off smartly with no real effort and it dries off as soon as the machine is fired up again.

[@Bogie3855]

I worked as a tool demonstrator for Delta Machinery for 15yrs. I became quite proficient with a stair brush, dustpan, and vacuum. Leave it like you found it was the rule.

[@tadadamski9001]

Appreciate the video Matt. Just starting a total clean and lube of a Delta Contractor Saw 34-444. There's some paint overspray on most of the surface. Any suggestions, like possibly sandblasting with walnut shells? Also, a friend suggested paraffin on the cast iron. Do you have an thoughts on that? Any ideas on what to lube the trunion and gears underneath? Most machines come greased from the factory. It attracts sawdust and dirt.

[@johnbenjamen9694]

Matt, I really like all of your videos I’ve seen. Very well done. I’ve been making furniture for 50 years now. When your maintaining your cast iron machine tops I see like so many others you put wax on most. I’ve always been opposed to doing that because I feel you lose a little control of the work piece. I like a little resistance. It makes me feel a little more in control of the process. Also kickbacks are more likely. I guess it’s a safety thing especially on the table saw. By the way I didn’t see a table saw in your shop. Anyway I think your doing an excellent job of explaining your various processes! Cheers, John

[@richardclarke9966]

If there isn't #TeamSlippy merch to come out of this I'll be thoroughly disappointed!

[@karl_alan]

What about your methods for getting resin & pitch off the blades...if we're gonna deep clean

[@ikerstges]

some of my machines have names.. all female. 'grippy or slippy' is a nice touch!! :D

[@gaz740]

Hi Matt. I was wondering what product you used on the drill press bed after you'd sorted the handle problem? Was it some sort of paste wax to help it be "slippy" or something else to help it stay "grippy"?

[@JimmiWazEre]

Very good echoes of the Batman OST by Prince in the music you selected for these montages :) "Gentlemen, let's broaden our minds, Lawrence!"

[@Monty0bar]

I learned something today related to this: If you mill some fairly wet cherry logs on a bandsaw, you should clean it up right away to avoid a very rusty blade.

[@marci0309]

Hey Matt! Why dont u buff out the wax after drying? I know it would thin out the layer but might give a more slippy even surface. (Applies to car paint but i dont know about machinery)

[@jaywood8296]

Nice tunes!

[@Javier-Escobar]

Interestin tools thanks

[@Aubreykun]

What do you do for the bits of nasty, caked in gunk in crevices, like on secondhand or just rarely-used tools? Am I doomed to be cleaning the small spots with cotton swabs?

[@iansmith5018]

Thanks Matt! What did you do to the "grippy" ones? Leave them alone after the camellia oil stage?

[@MattEstlea]

Yep, just camelia oil :)

[@bobspring3505]

Why does your bandsaw have a blocked off extraction port and why did you choose that port from the two?

[@jon3864]

Hi Matt, how do you lubricate the rising mechanism for the thicknesses bed? I’ve got a pillar bed on my Robland and I’d just love it to operate quietly !!! Thanks...

[@MattEstlea]

Haven’t had to do it yet, but I’d imagine some kind of grease :)

[@billcoley8520]

Every tool I have is on roller wheels, including 3 table saws. Router table, band saw, 10 inch disc sander and my regular assorted wrenches. I roll everything outside and blow everything out

[@simonspoke]

How long did it take you to do all that?

[@Pico2199]

the last video inspired me to clean my room and work desk. I don't know if i want to watch this video. I might end up hand sharpening the kitchen knives or painting the walls.

[@michaelr6113]

With the music in background it reminds me of a car wash scene, ever thought of a workshop-wash-service? 😜

[@BigBeardBuilds]

"I'm going to entertain you for 3 weeks in a row". "Here's how I put a rag to a piece of metal". - Audience goes wild -

[@gregsarsons1221]

Wish I had all the fancy equipment that I needed to clean ... :(

[@kennykong6330]

How often do you re-apply that paste wax on your machines surfaces? Given that you use them almost everyday.

[@MattEstlea]

I top up the bandsaw and planer once every 2-3 weeks. I did a more in depth explanation here: mattestlea.com/blog/how-i-clean-cast-iron-tables/

[@kennykong6330]

@@MattEstlea Thanks a lot, Matt. Great blog article too! FYI, the video on the article is unavailable for some reason, but I can watch it here.

[@wb_finewoodworking]

When I was a kid my job was cleaning up all his tools, mostly metal working, and sweeping the floor. You’d be amazed where all the metal curly-q shavings from a lathe can end up. Maybe that’s why I don’t like cleaning my shop.

[@matthewdrake9699]

It’s actually quite therapeutic watching another bloke vac his man cave

[@samrix5793]

Do you not have a table saw?

[@thomasnewton9818]

All this watch you clean up your shop is making me consider cleaning up my shop...after a long nap...maybe not...

[@jimwilliams2682]

Take care of your tools and they will take care of you.

[@ericledzep]

faces at 0:15 on clock 7:22 on bottom of thicknesser and at 13:20 behind the drill press on the wall

[@simonspoke]

I'm really too old and blind to see all of them without your kind help! :)

[@ericledzep]

@@simonspoke At the beginning I was like you with my 40 years but after finding some faces after re-watched some videos I think my eyes are trained !! Like the muscle memory for sawing or chiseling square ! note : sorry f my English is not correct ! I'm french and I understand well but to make sentences it's quite hard.

[@simonspoke]

@@ericledzep I admire your patience. And your grammar is fine. ;)

[@joshbaker17]

Dang! I found them on my first pass only to see you already posted. Early bird catches the Robme!

[@pacoespinosa7360]

If at all, how often do you do maintenance to your planes and other hand tools?

[@MattEstlea]

Yep, exactly the same method :)

[@williamsimpson2083]

On the clock at 0:17, behind the thicknesser at 7:24 and bottom left at 13:22

[@ApprenticeGM]

@Matt Estlea minor mistake in the description - "This is because the cast iron tables were constantly being touched by customers grubby hands, and us stuff were always fighting the uphill battle to keep the surface rust at bay" should be "This is because the cast iron tables were constantly being touched by customers grubby hands, and us staff were always fighting the uphill battle to keep the surface rust at bay".

[@Ashe_Fenrir]

Any Americans know of the alternative to Liberon Wax and Polish remover? Its like 40$ where I am.

[@vjosullivan]

WD40

[@andresilva8444]

I knew a Camellia once. She was quite oily.

[@MORONI88]

what is axminster?

[@justplanebob105]

Do you like Glidecoat?

[@adumsey1164]

0:18 clock, 7:24 bottom right, 13:20 bottom left

[@corsonickerson9794]

I think, next time it should be about how to take a good care of all hand tools. (Honestly, I had a problem at that point once...)

[@Ashe_Fenrir]

RIP Bee friend 2:10 D:

[@MattEstlea]

I wouldn’t do it if it were a Bee. It was a wasp that was being an angry little git. It had it coming.

[@avikarmon]

Hey Matt, I am sure that you were asked this numerous times but why don't you own a table saw ?

[@alistairfrith7772]

He's done a blog post on this. Essentially, he can do everything he would use a table saw for adequately on the band saw, plus more. Bottom line: if you get a table saw, eventually you will also need a band saw but if you have a band saw you can get by without a table saw.

[@clementwistle8670]

0:16 7:21 13:23

[@chrisjordan4210]

The trouble when you clean your machinery to that extent is you just want to admire it and not see it all dusty and dirty. I've never found Camelia oil to be very good at rust prevention but try it on the sole of your planes, they run away with themselves.

[@zacjohnson19]

Can we get a few releases at different times so the Aussies who aren't awake at 0400 get a red hot crack?

[@RobHarveyMusic]

We're looking into different competitions we can include so that we can maintain our release schedule and still give other timezones opportunities to win Robmes.

[@zacjohnson19]

@@RobHarveyMusic sounds great. Cannot wait. Keep it up

[@CHRIS1SYD2]

Just found myself watching a bloke vacuuming ... then I realised I must be fuckin mental!

[@chriscaswell3433]

Try using camellia oil, a small drop goes a long. I found it when working in Far East. Samurai’s used it, good enough for them , good enough for me. 🎎😉☺️

[@MattEstlea]

I did use camellia oil in this video 🙂

[@chriscaswell3433]

Matt Estlea whoops, must have skipped that bit, only so much cleaning you can watch, but great vid nonetheless.😄🥱

[@bigmaca]

0:15 7:20 13:20

[@pascalheidisch1889]

The music made my girlfriend ask whether or not I was watching an adult movie

[@nbmrbluesky3688]

Keep your lathe and mill nice and oilly. If you touch it and your hands are clean its not oilly enough.

[@TerribleTim68]

Speaking of lathes.......what ever happened to "Turning Tuesday"? 🤔

[@johanoosting5790]

Faces are this time at 0:17, 7:22 and 13:20 :)

[@knotanotherworkshop1102]

Isn't spring cleaning ment to be done in spring lol

[@twinlightrider]

I´m guessing he probably does a clean like this atleast once every season of the year ;)

[@sophiaanderson7979]

0:17 7:22 13:22

[@der_schreiner193]

I cant even find em with the timestamps👀

[@sophiaanderson7979]

@@der_schreiner193 0:17 is in the clock, 7:22 is in the bottom right, kinda on the floor, and 13:22 is in the bottom left corner

[@stuff6218]

@@sophiaanderson7979 Haha, what the hell. Funny guy...

[@der_schreiner193]

@@sophiaanderson7979 thanks :) at least now i got an idea what to look out for😂

[@RobHarveyMusic]

Nice one Sophia! You're this episodes winner!

[@kennethnielsen3864]

25th.

[@mickcarter670]

Machine wax from AM thanks.

[@pacoespinosa7360]

Faces at 0:17 7:22 13:22

[@ackrell]

Today’s photos. 0:16 7:24 13:21

[@trolltaker]

Matt, this would be very interesting... if I had my cabinet finished. But at this point, after watching you build a bunch of boxes, and then build a Japanese style picnic table without getting back to the unfinished cabinet project, I'm beginning to get a bit miffed at you. Admittedly I'm a low level Patreon supporter, but a supporter and subscriber nontheless and I have an unfinished project that I have already lost momentum on but just want to finish up. To be frank, I'm not even sure why you couldn't have completed that course in your backyard shop.

[@RobHarveyMusic]

Have you looked at the website recently? The cabinet series is almost finished on there. He’s mentioned it in videos a couple of times.

[@trolltaker]

@@RobHarveyMusic , Rather than to go off-topic any further here, I have taken it over the The Mess on the website.

[@mattheweastham5589]

Matt faces 0:16

[@mattheweastham5589]

In the clock

[@googlesbitch]

Using the synthetic abrasive (aluminum oxide) is too aggressive and this removes the natural iron oxide (bluing), as seen by the black smudges left on the towel. The best abrasive is steel wool and using a lubricant such as kerosene or WD40 and then wipe with paste wax. Steel wool leaves the dark oxide layer on cast iron while removing rust so surface stays smooth and resist rusting.

[@stepans9183]

where is good loud rock music?

[@dsmflow]

I got a splinter just reading that sweater. Yikes.

[@lungbuster341]

Nice Jorts

[@gilbertohuerta4831]

I jveh adril

[@RobertBrownieJr]

The most adverts I get on KZbin, are KZbin premium adverts. How can that be right

[@topspeed250k5]

Oh dear☹️ I'm not proud to say it but I classified his machinery as 'clean' before he even started lol. I think he'd have a stroke looking in my workshop

[@user-gw1sh9qc2s]

You missed a spot.

[@BRaBBit.99]

i feel bad for the bee/fly :( :( :( you shouldnt have done that

[@jankohler7560]

Next time when cleaning your workshop you should wear a maid dress. Nothing is sexier than someone cleaning in a short dress 😜

[@edvickery958]

Operation: Vac-u-suck

[@riccardo-964]

everybody is looking at the times and posting it................ that's not working

[@sophiaanderson7979]

I mean, you can sort newest first and then scroll down to see the order, it does start to clog up the feed a bit tho. I think people should refresh the comments before they send it, cuz there are people sending the times like an hour after they've already been posted.

[@onman999]

Did your girlfriend teach you how to wax your tool? ;)