Cast Iron Table Scratch Removal.

[alex grams]

removing scratches from cast iron tables (band saw table).

I was doing a cut on a stacked form for some laminate glue up, and one of the screws wasn't recessed fully and put a decent scratch across my band saw table. I put some 00 steel wool under a vibrating sander to buff out any burrs or such, and then rewaxed the table (as per my rust prevention regiment).

Are there any ways to more fully remove scratches? I know it really won't affect any work I do, and it is barely noticeable to the touch when rubbing a finger over it, but it looks pretty ugly and i like shiny clean tools.

[Rob Bodenschatz]

I did the same thing to my PM2000 top a few months ago.

Could live with it but like you, I like my tools shiny so I'll be awaiting a response.

[Paul Simmel]

Scratch it on the other side to balance it out a little?

[Sean Kinn]

I know it hurts....I've been there and done that. I love to see that perfectly flat pristine cast iron surface as well. But, sometimes we just have to cut the cord and relax. Afterall, it is a tool. I've conditioned myself to think of them as badges of honor that prove I do actually use my tools. If you take too many efforts to remove the scratch (sounds like it is at least a little deep) you may create a low spot on the table. This would likely be an incredibly tiny low spot, but you would then have a low spot to stress about instead of a scratch. Like many things in life, the first one is the worst. Just get cracking on your next project and cover it with some sawdust.

[Eric Haycraft]

The only way that I know of if to have it reground. That will make it perfect again and won't create low spots. But, if I had all of my surfaces reground every time that I scratched them I doubt that there would be any table left.

[Larry Fox]

What about some 400 sandpaper under a block. Few swipes should do it and you likely won't be able to feel it. You will see it, but you won't fell it and it won't affect the operation. I had a single bead of sweat drop onto the top of my Uni and it sat there for a while before I wiped it off and pitted it a bit - 400 took care of it.

[Brian Ross]

Some consider them beauty marks.

[Steven Beam]

At work we use a product called belzona to repair shafts on our paver. It is sort of like epoxy but is very hard and polishes smooth here the link

www.belzona.com

Hope this helps

[Jason Beam]

Count them. You WILL have more, for sure. When you lose count, then grab some 600 grit wet-dry and just scuff most of the worst ones out. Nothing stays new forever.

Side note - Two Beam's??? What are the odds???

[glenn bradley]

Anything cutting deep enough to remove a scratch as you describe had better be in a machine shop. Trying to sand or grind that thing out is like sanding out a deep scratch in anything else; the whole surface goes down or it goes uneven. I'll take a "looks-only" blemish over uneven tables any day ;-)

[Jim Becker]

The only way that I know of if to have it reground.

Bingo! Consider it "patina"...

[Jim Heffner]

I'm not saying this is the best answer here...but some 220 and then 400 grit sandpaper in your ros along with wd-40 does a lot of good in my opinion. Just keep the table top well lubricated, with the wd-40 and keep
the ros moving around a good bit, will make a dirty slurry on the top but will clean off pretty easily when done.

[Jerel Hill]

When overhauling turbine generators, we use a long hone with oil on all flat mating surfaces (bearing housings, casings, ect.). This will not cover up a blemish, but it will hone any raised area on the surface completely flat and make it useable.

[Jeff Miller]

If you take that table to a machine shop to get it machined every time you get a scratch in it,pretty soon there won't be anything left of it.

I like shiny too and try to keep my tools that way but chit happens,at least you're using your tools.

I would use a ROS as others have suggested ,just do it and get on with the sawdust making


Jeff

[Joe Chritz]

Surface grinder is about all that will work.

Be thankful you weren't in a hurry and didn't support a quick cut off with a circular saw. You can guess where that is going. Carbide saw blades will cut a cast iron top in case anyone is interested.

A flat block with some 400 will polish it enough so the scratch will just be a reminder and won't cause any problems.

Joe