Leather Mug Lining - Paraffin Wax?

[Urshag]

I am currently following Angster's great tutorial on leather mug making. I am wondering, instead of using beeswax and brewer's pitch if I could use paraffin wax for both the soaking and for the lining?

Anyone with any thoughts or experience with paraffin wax?

Dennis

[hivemind]

Paraffin is pretty dangerous to work with around fire. I'd seal it with straight beeswax if you don't want to mix things - just don't put hot beverages in it.

I know some people who have hardened leather armor with paraffin, but never a drinking vessel.

Edited November 9, 2010 by hivemind

[Urshag]

Paraffin is pretty dangerous to work with around fire. I'd seal it with straight beeswax if you don't want to mix things - just don't put hot beverages in it.

I know some people who have hardened leather armor with paraffin, but never a drinking vessel.

Well, I've had a mug from a company called Ye Dragon and Unicorn for 10 years and they claim that they use paraffin wax. Here is the page:

https://3harpiesltd.net/dandu/history.php

I'm just curious if anyone else has tried it and has any pointers.

Dennis

[Angster]

Personally I've not used parrafin for mugs, although I'd think it'd be ok since parrafin is used in canning and such. The only thing I can think of is for a lining, parrafin seems like it would be fairly brittle. The mugs I have for personal use tend to see a lot of abuse. I imagine if I weren't using the wax/pitch blend, which is a tad more forgiving, I'd have developed cracks in the seal. However, this is something that's easily fixed, so don't know how much it applies.

I'd say give it a try and if it works for you, then have at it.

[Urshag]

Personally I've not used parrafin for mugs, although I'd think it'd be ok since parrafin is used in canning and such. The only thing I can think of is for a lining, parrafin seems like it would be fairly brittle. The mugs I have for personal use tend to see a lot of abuse. I imagine if I weren't using the wax/pitch blend, which is a tad more forgiving, I'd have developed cracks in the seal. However, this is something that's easily fixed, so don't know how much it applies.

I'd say give it a try and if it works for you, then have at it.

Hmmm... well I found a link for a paraffin wax that has melting point of 163 degrees Fahrenheit. It's 10 pounds for $16.95. (http://cart.candlesupply.com/product.php?productid=18818&cat=479&page=1) At that price I think it's worth a shot. I just wish I could find Brewer's Pitch at a cheaper price than $14.00 a pound as Jas Townsend. (http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?products_id=373)

I'll give it a go and let everyone know how it works when I finally do it.

Dennis

[DuncanSinclair]

Myself and at least 1 other in the SCA are using single filtered bees wax. Also, beware of using wood for bottoms (especially pine). We are using wet formed leather for bottoms.

[EmmaCompton]

I am currently following Angster's great tutorial on leather mug making. I am wondering, instead of using beeswax and brewer's pitch if I could use paraffin wax for both the soaking and for the lining?

Anyone with any thoughts or experience with paraffin wax?

Dennis

I have made many mugs and have used 50% parrafin and 50% beeswax. This way the beeswax wont melt down it hot weather. Plus I even use my jack for coffee in the morning and have to have any issues with it.

I generally wax the outside of it pretty well, then seal the inside with a few layers of envirotex.

[Edvin]

Historically, pitch and beeswax would be used in creating a seal. Pitch is quite brittle but mixed with beeswax it´s perfect for flasks and mugs.

A good example is the leather flask from Mary Rose, a carrack-type warship of King Henry VIII.

More info here:

http://leatherworkingreverend.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/mary-rose-leather-gallery/