Mixing Pure Paraffin With Beeswax For Waxing Thread?

[ant]

Hi,

Not sure if anyone has tried using paraffin mixing with beeswax for waxing thread or polishing edge?

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks

[TwinOaks]

For thread, I don't bother with the paraffin. I just pull the thread through the little block of bee's wax, then several passes through the fingers to heat it up. For edges, I've started using Bob Park's method and have had nothing but good results. He has a tutorial pinned here.

There is a bee's wax, paraffin, and oil mix used to coat leather. It's more of a traditional finish often seen on sheaths, and the like, and some of our ren-faire folks may have a recipe for that.

[bruce johnson]

I use straight beeswax for thread. Bees wax is sticky and will hold the thread. I mix bees wax and parafin for edges. I melt it on the stovetop in a pyrex and pour it into cupcake papers to harden. I just got a tip about putting the pieces into cupcake paper or baking mold and melting it in the oven with lower heat too.

[ant]

For thread, I don't bother with the paraffin. I just pull the thread through the little block of bee's wax, then several passes through the fingers to heat it up. For edges, I've started using Bob Park's method and have had nothing but good results. He has a tutorial pinned here.

There is a bee's wax, paraffin, and oil mix used to coat leather. It's more of a traditional finish often seen on sheaths, and the like, and some of our ren-faire folks may have a recipe for that.

What is the percentage of bee's wax and paraffin and what kind of oil is recommended?

thanks

[ant]

I use straight beeswax for thread. Bees wax is sticky and will hold the thread. I mix bees wax and parafin for edges. I melt it on the stovetop in a pyrex and pour it into cupcake papers to harden. I just got a tip about putting the pieces into cupcake paper or baking mold and melting it in the oven with lower heat too.

When i use beeswax on black thread, the thread color turn slightly yellow. Because the color of the beeswas.

Any idea how can i prevent such color change on thread?

[TwinOaks]

I'll answer both of your questions here.....Exact percentages of two waxes and one oil: They equal up to 100%. I don't use the mixture, and probably everyone who does has their own recipe. You can research it a bit, but it's gonna vary from maker to maker.

To get beeswax without the yellow, you have to get beeswax that has the honey removed. Yes, part of the coloring is honey. You can order it online, I'm sure, and probably some places that sell candle making supplies.

[BAD HIDE]

For edges, I'm mixing about 70/30 beeswax and paraffin. Beeswax for flexibility, paraffin for polish. I'm still doing edges mostly by hand though, so when I get a polishing wheel set up, I'll probably move up to 60/40 or 50/50. I melt it in pie tin in some water over the stove, let it cool, pop it out and break off chunks. Pure beeswax works, but it doesn't get as glossy.

For sewing threads, I just use pure beeswax. It's nice and tacky on it's own, but I've seen in other threads where guys mix a little rosin in their sewing wax. I've seen white beeswax in stores too, just go to a craft store that has candle making supplies.

Edited November 2, 2010 by BAD HIDE