Using Wax Paper as a Woodworking Tool Lubricant

Woodworking is more fun and satisfying when your tools are well-maintained and in good working condition. Many woodworkers suggest that one of the more important aspects of tool maintenance is to apply a tool lubricant to parts that maintain contact with your piece. When it comes to choosing a good tool lubricant, there are many options to choose from. Some woodworkers use car wax, which is a proven product for protecting against moisture, and most woodworkers have a stash of this available as they also use it to make their cars more beautiful. A word of caution: many car waxes contain silicone which can interfere with the project’s ability to accept finish. That means that car wax is not necessarily a great tool lubricant. Another approach, which does not include silicone, is to apply a furniture paste wax to the tool. Still a third option is to purchase a specialized tool lubricant spray.

Furniture wax and dedicated tool lubricant are good options, and we strongly recommend using them, but these products take time to apply, and sometimes you just want to “touch up” the protection. So what can you do?

Apply wax paper between applications. Keep a roll of wax paper available, and apply it as shown in the video to improve the slickness of a tool’s surface. This is not likely to add any effective moisture resistance, but it will enhance the usability of the tool.

Other uses as well. In addition to using wax paper as a tool lubricant, you might find it useful for other applications as well, such as transferring holes used for mounting hardware.