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I work alone, so when I need to move a 70 lb. chunk of rough lumber over my jointer, I’ve got to be tricky if I don’t want to be sore the next day. For me, the best trick has been to squirt some Blaster Dry Lube on the bed and fence after a few passes.
In fact, this Teflon-based lubricant is really the only thing that makes it possible to joint enormous oak benchtops, which can weigh 300 lbs., even with assistance from other woodworkers.
No, the lubricant doesn’t affect finishing, gluing or anything important – except to reduce dramatically the friction between the wood and the iron.
The only reason I’m partial to the Blaster brand is it is dirt cheap ($5 for a can) and is available at any home center. I don’t have to order it and wait. And I don’t have to worry that I’m wasting a lot of money on an exotic lubricant.
Blaster doesn’t seem to do anything to protect the surfaces from rust. And it doesn’t last long – a squirt every three or four passes keeps things moving. Give it a try – it’s cheaper than a gym membership and smells better, too.
— Christopher Schwarz
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Yes I’ll try it. It occurs to me that a few scrapes with a bar of beeswax would be cheaper and gives the bees something to do.