Tons of wax on pre-waxed thread

[JoelR]

I picked up a new roll of thread from Tandy. It is the Tejas waxed thread they sell in 4 oz spools. The issue i have is the thread is LOADED with wax. I can run the thread through an egg-eyed needle and scrap off a lot and if I don't do this, it ends up in my stitches and I have to pick it out when I'm done stitching. I know I saw a post about how to properly prepare thread prior to stitching, and I think it mentioned suggestions on preparing even pre-waxed threads, but now that I want to read it in detail, I can't find it. Suggestions/pointers/obvious observations?

[Cobra Steve]

Hi Joel, you might want to call Dan at Campbell Bosworth 1-800-327-9420. There might be a device that helps remove excess wax before it gets to the needle. Tell him Steve sent you. Thanks

[iwannabeacowboy]

Run the thread through a rag a couple of times and burnish it. It will help with the excess wax.

[JoelR]

Thanks for the advice Steve, but I should have been more specific. This is for hand sewing. The last loop I did I removed as much of the excess by running the full length of the cord through a needle to scrape as much off as I could and then rubbed the rest off by running it over some denim. It worked, but the cord unraveled some when run through the needle and I felt compelled to retwist it before 'burnishing' it with the denim.

[Elton Joorisity]

brown paper (grocery sacks) works great to burnish the wax into the thread as well.

[jimsaddler]

brown paper (grocery sacks) works great to burnish the wax into the thread as well.

Use a bit of soft Leather to rub the wax off. First anchor the thread to a hook or spike on the Bench and hold the other end while you rub the Leather fast along the thread. this will stop the unraveling a bit. The problem is that you probably got Reverse twist thread which will naturally unravel as you stitch. Removing the Wax makes it worse.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards.

Jim.

[JoelR]

Thanks all. I do not have a problem with it unraveling as I stitch. The unraveling was from me forcing it through the small, oblong eye of the needle.

[Daggrim]

I had the same problem, and just ran lengths of thread between my thumb and the edge of a dull knife. Took a couple of passes to scrape the gobs off. Ugh. I just bought some new stuff, and I'm saving the other spool for emergencies.

Doug

[TroyS]

A heat gun applied gently and an old shop rag.... Heat the thread then run the rag over the area... Some wax is removed but not enough to allow unraveling and fraying...

Also, you can use the heat gun over you sewn seams once complete. The wax settles into the leather and no chunks of wax in the holes ....

My 2 cents worth ...

[frontpost]

I use Barbour's pure flax unwaxed thread, and wax it myself. Al Stohlman's book "The art of hand sewing leather" help my stitching.

[JoelR]

WOW! Ask and Ye shall receive! Thanks all. I have yet to get Al Stohlman's book, but it is on my to-do list. I'm winging it as of now... I just stitched a section (half of a tuckable 1911 holster) and scrapped off as much of the wax as I could. I noticed that the thread did not hold together as well in the eye of the needle after I did this so maybe I was a little too thorough...