Wax isn’t a new concept in the shop, in fact, it’s one of the oldest wood finishes known. But that doesn’t mean that it’s out of date. With the number of waxes available, it can be daunting choosing the right one. Not to worry, however. In this article, I’ll guide you through the most common waxes, and the uses of raw (photo, below) and blended waxes in your shop.
PARAFFIN. One of the most common types of raw wax is paraffin wax. Paraffin is derived from petroleum. This means that it’s oil based and most finishes can be applied over it. Paraffin wax is also an ideal choice for lubrication in your shop. It’s excellent for lubricating hand saws, planes, drawer runners, vise screws, and other shop lubrication tasks (upper…