This message greeted me when I unwrapped my new back saws from Bad Axe Toolworks.
It made me laugh but it is a dogma to keep close to your heart while working with hand tools. Saws run easier, planes slide nicely, bits turn smoothly. Old English cabinetmakers often used tallow to lubricate their planes and that is what really gives most of the vintage tools that lovely patina we see today. The first time you run a block of wax along the sole of your plane and use it you will be shocked at the difference it makes and how much less you end up working. Saws are just the same especially when you get deep in that cut and your arm is starting to burn. A quick swipe of wax and your saw has wings and powers through the cut like a Coon hound on the scent of a prize jackrabbit (that was for you Kari).
Now Adam Cherubini just put up a post recently proclaiming the virtues of the wooden plane and the fact that it needs no wax to glide across its surface and I can’t deny this. In fact I commented on his post my agreement and satisfaction of using my wooden Jack. But I do own a fair number of metal planes that I am not going to stop using because I need to wax the soles. Maybe if Adam asked really nicely and threw in some of his grandmother’s lasagna and a sixer of Sam Adams Irish Red (hey I’m multi-cultural in my epicurean pursuits) then I might consider it. You would still need to keep that wax around for your saws and auger bits. For that matter, have you ever waxed the bed of your thickness planer or table saw? What magic that does to using the tool!
So, I’m sorry for all the tool endorsements that have cost my readers money lately. I will make amends with this recommendation. Go to the grocery store and buy a block of canning wax for a couple bucks, heck you can probably get it cheaper at Wal-Mart. This will change your work for the better. If you run out of that wax in your lifetime as a woodworker, drop me an email and I will buy you another block.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Larry Marshall // Jan 26, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I carry a block of parafin in my shop apron. Like you, I use it often. Like you, it lasts a VERY long time. In fact, the one time I decided that mine had gotten small enough to get another hunk from the box of paraffin that I’d bought, I couldn’t find the box. Wish I’d know of your offer then as I would have had you buy the replacement. Wonder what it costs to ship a $2 box of paraffin from Maryland to planet Quebec City (grin)?
Cheers — Larry
2 The Village Carpenter // Jan 26, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Nice one, Shannon. ; )
I agree with Adam about wooden planes not needing wax. I’ve used my jack plane for a decade and the sole is so shiny, it looks like French polish. The wood that it’s been smoothing all these years has burnished it. No wax necessary.
3 Mike Semsen // Jan 26, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Wax is also your friend if you want your mustache to look great, or remove it completely! Or to tidy up that bikini line. Amazing stuff
4 Shannon // Jan 26, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Mike,
LOL, I knew when I was writing the title that one of you jokers would have a comment like this. Why am I not surprised that it was you?
5 Adam Cherubini // Jan 28, 2010 at 2:38 am
I wax my wooden planes’ soles for a super silky swish. I use old candles or blocks of beeswax from a local orchard. What I haven’t had success waxing is saw blades. I’m a set-guy. I like set. Consequently, I don’t think my saw blades get hot enough (touch enough wood) for the wax to melt. So instead of speeding me up, saw dust sticks to the beeswax I sometimes use, which slows me down. Be careful what you wax (Mike).
Adam
6 Morton // Mar 16, 2010 at 12:13 am
What type(s) of wax do you use for planes and saws, and does it matter much? I have paste, Renaissance and beeswax on hand…
7 Shannon // Mar 17, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I used Paraffin wax because you can chop off a hunk and keep it in your pocket or on your bench. The others you mention work just fine but require a rag to apply and that is just too much work to interrupt planing. The exception would be beeswax but parraffin costs next to nothing. I use Renaissance wax periodically after I clean my planes with a rust remover/preventative. The wax makes a nice top coat to seal in the Boeshield goodness.
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