i've got a pound of pure dark beeswax that needs to get cut/softened. i've done it before with about 50/50 mix of lard.
i'd like to get away from the lard, anyone got another recipe for beeswax string wax?
was thinking of some other organic oil.
Go and get one toilet bowl ring. Mix 50/50 and works great.
I've softened beeswax with teatree oil for other applications. It works fairly well but smells very strong. Advantage is it'll clear your sinuses and it never goes rancid like olive oil (another option) might. I'd stick with heat.
Am I delusional or didn't I read one time about someone mixing it with the wax ring that forms a seal under the "throne" many of us use in the reading room?
I saw a formula of melting 2 pounds of bees wax with one toilet bowl ring and a spoonful of honey (why the honey I have no idea). Pour into small muffin cups. I haven't done it myself, yet, but as soon as I need more wax I'm going to give it a try.
See there, I'm not delusional. What I am though, is a slower typer than stringstretcher!
:thumbsup:
Not a good idea to add honey to bowstring wax--a mouse is liable to like the smell.
A toilet bowl ring works great, but I can't remember the ratio I used. Also heard of adding pine pitch and/or instrument rosin, but I didn't do that with mine.
I just tinkered with the mix until I got the consistency I liked.
FWIW, I found that toilet bowl rings come in different sizes, or at least some have more wax than others.
Chad
I have used straight uncut beeswax for 30 years and never had any problems,my question is why cut it?
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
I have used straight uncut beeswax for 30 years and never had any problems,my question is why cut it?
raw beeswax is just too hard for my use. if beeswax was only needed to wax a string on a braced bow, no problem as the rubbing motion heats it up and melts it in. much harder to melt in when there is no tension on the string fiber. hence the need to soften it. well, at least for me.
I'm with Ron. If you're using it for waxing strings use it straight. If you are making strings you might want to soften it some.
I would hesitate with the tea tree oil if you are dealing with a hunting-related use. It is too strong smelling. We use a couple drops of it in the wash with my son's diapers and I had a little residual in my hunting clothes. I was getting busted left and right. I came home perplexed and my wife explained what had happened.
..I'm with the thought ... "use it as it comes from the hive !!! Been for many moons !!!
Also use bees wax to smooth out the taper on stone/sinew wrapped primitive arrows
If you have a self nock arrow and its loose some on bow string ...rub a good bit of pure bees wax on the nocking point area of string. Holds nock nice !!!
I'm gonna try the terlet bowl ring deal. Sounds like it ought to work just dandy!
It's been many years, but I believed I used a 3/4 to 1/4 mix.
3/4 bees wax to 1/4 toilet bowl wax. You definitely need to
"eyeball" the consistency. I melted mine in a cleaned out soup can and poured into empty egg carton.
Gene
ROB
I picked up some bees wax a while back I thought I got the wrong stuff it is as hard as a rock,. Is this the way it normaly is ? And that is why you are looking to soften it ? When you come up with the formula post it would you please!!
Thanks MARK
yep, mark - a block of raw beeswax is quite hard and whacking it with large knife only flakes off chunks. i usually use a hot wire to cut off slabs for the melting pot.
the replies have jogged the old gray matter and i do remember using toilet bowl wax as a mix. an old timer showed my using lard and stuck with that. yuk. i guess most any paraffin would work as well.
fwiw, a 1" or so cube of raw beeswax is perfect for using on a braced bow and it won't pick up much lint or dirt stuck in yer quiver or pocket, whereas the blended beeswax sucks up everything and makes a mess,
Can you use Carnuba or paraffin.or maybe a scented oil thats natural.I never done it but I thought I would find out this way.
web page 1 (http://www.archers-review.com/archery-kit/beeswax-for-strings)
web page 2 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:String_wax_with_different_ingredients.jpg)
great links, gene - thanx!
Depending on how you mix it, trial and error, but it also works great using those two combinations for making strings. Just get it a little less sticky than it is as purchased, ie" 3/4 toilet ring 1/4 beeswax. Works great.
Well I've tried alot of mixes over the years, and I still prefer pine rosin. I have used Montana pitch blend with pure beeswax, the toilet ring, and even string wax, textite.
The pine rosin always worked the best for me. I bought 50lbs of wax and pine tar chunks from Terry Henry in Michigan, and that was what he used and sold. The powdered rosin, in pitchers bags works also.
I have also noticed, that depending on the region, the wax came from, can produce a soft wax. I have had pale yellow wax, to very dark, almost brown. My dad bougth some honey and wax from Tennesee once, real dark, and the keepers said it was do to the sorghum fields in the area!
Tim Baker mentions in using tung oil or linseed oil, also as softeners.
I melt my beeswax in a glass jar in the microwave and add toilet ring wax at a ratio 4 to 1. When I have it all liquid I give it a good stir and then pour it into an ice cube tray and pop it in the freezer. It's ready to use in about twenty minutes. That has been my tried and trusted recipe for years.
Just straight toilet bowl ring wax wont work?is it too soft?
Rob i use 50/50 beeswax and vasaline :thumbsup:
Bees wax, caarnauba wax, a bit of pine resin and if you want to soften it a bit add a bit of pure terpentine oil.
Works for me.
If you leave the pine resin and add a bit more of the terpentine oil, you´ve got a good leather polish.
Stefan
wow, lots of different ingredients to think about! thanx guyz!
Be sure and use only the "Straight Shooter" toilet bowel wax ring..... ;)
I once made strings for of all my friends, until I got tired of it and made them all a string board and gave how-to instructions.
One pound of bees wax and one toilet ring, perfect string wax. Melt and mix together, pour into small Dixie cups, you will have a lifetime supply from on batch.
The small sauce cups you get from pizza joints (with lids) work great to pour it up (if you don't get it too hot), and they also keep the crud from getting all over your wax if you put it in your quiver/pocket/etc.
I've still got around 100-200 of the 2 oz cakes poured up. The ones I use are 5 oz in Dixie cups per Eric's suggestion. They last me maybe two weeks each when I'm busy.
Chad
Funny timing. I just made up my first batch yesterday. My mentor recommended beeswax (about a pound)and one wax toilet ring. Seems solid yet good and tacky. Will be giving it a try on my next day off as I attempt my first string.
Rob,
I have done about 75 little containers of the 1 # and one wax ring formula...I like it a bit more tacky so I use about an extra 1/4 pc. of wax bowl ring...I would advise ya to use a clean one not a used one.. :eek: Also take a trip to Mc Donalds and see if ya can get some of those ketchup cups with lids to pour the wax in..Not only is it the right size but the lid keeps dirt and junk out...I made up so much that whenever I see friends or make a trade of some sort I throw in a couple of containers for the people to try...Get yourself a turkey baster to suck up out the pot and put into the container..Nothing like making your own brew and if you make as many strings as I do I think you will like the way it helps ya to hold the string as you twist...God Bless, Keefer's <")))><
3/4 bee and 1/4 bowl wax works great and seems the right consistency to wipe it down after putting it on with a clean rag to get the dirt off which in my mind helps with string life.
Mix it with Obenauf's leather dressing 50/50, add some essential oil of pine and you are ready to go Rob.
Ed
I make my own string wax and use it on my mustash daily. The essence of most of these ingredients is beeswax and turpentine. I don't know why vasoline says 100% patroleum jelly. I remember it being loaded with beeswax.