Making Sticky Wax

[J Hayes]

I want to make a batch of sticky wax for hand stitching with linen. Is there any reason I can not use the sap that collects on the trunk of my pine trees for this?

Thanks

Jeremy

[mlapaglia]

Question, why not just use bees wax? It is what is normally used to wax thread. You do not want the thread too sticky. Bees wax does a great job.

Michael

[UberSquid]

Could you use one of those bees wax rings they sell at the hardware store to seal toilets? I can't find bees wax around here.

[renegadelizard]

Could you use one of those bees wax rings they sell at the hardware store to seal toilets? I can't find bees wax around here.

Now that is a novel idea...bravo for thinking outside the box!!!

[mlapaglia]

Yes you could or you could get some on Ebay or even look around at some of the natural food stores. I got mine on Ebay. It was cheap and shipped fast.

As long as its a new ring (eewwwww) it should be fine. Might not be 100% bees wax but as long as its malleable it should work fine.

Michael

[UberSquid]

The one I have I paid $2 for and it says 100% bees wax. It is really soft and stickyat room temp though. I plan on melting it down and mixing it with different ammounts of perafin until I find a consistency that I like then casting small blocks for later use.

[mlapaglia]

Try adding about 30% carnuba wax.. That should harden it up some and also make it good as a rub on finish when the resulting mixture is mixed 1:1 with neets foot oil.

[ChuckBurrows]

I want to make a batch of sticky wax for hand stitching with linen. Is there any reason I can not use the sap that collects on the trunk of my pine trees for this?

Thanks

Jeremy

That's what I use most times these days or the pitch from cut pine.........heat it and then pour into a tall narrow container that can be cut away - the dross (all the crap) will sink to the bottom as it cools - cut that off and you have nice clean pitch. The longer/hotter you heat it the more brittle it will get so be careful - I like a mix of the hard natural stuff and the softer natural stuff - heat to clean and then mix with beeswax (you can buy large amounts online from eBay or candle making supplies) or you can smaller amounts from sewing shops - more expensive that way though. Also check and see if you have any beekeepers in your are - many will give it away free or cheaply - heat/clean the same way I suggested for pitch.

I generally use a mix of about 40% pitch and 60% beeswax (I'd never use paraffin wax since it gets too brittle in my experience).

IMO once you use sticky wax - a version of coad - you will prefer it over plain beeswax - it helps lock the threads in place ans also adds anti-bacterial/fungal properties to the thread which is a good thing when using natural threads like linen or hemp.

[J Hayes]

That's what I use most times these days or the pitch from cut pine.........heat it and then pour into a tall narrow container that can be cut away - the dross (all the crap) will sink to the bottom as it cools - cut that off and you have nice clean pitch. The longer/hotter you heat it the more brittle it will get so be careful - I like a mix of the hard natural stuff and the softer natural stuff - heat to clean and then mix with beeswax (you can buy large amounts online from eBay or candle making supplies) or you can smaller amounts from sewing shops - more expensive that way though. Also check and see if you have any beekeepers in your are - many will give it away free or cheaply - heat/clean the same way I suggested for pitch.

I generally use a mix of about 40% pitch and 60% beeswax (I'd never use paraffin wax since it gets too brittle in my experience).

IMO once you use sticky wax - a version of coad - you will prefer it over plain beeswax - it helps lock the threads in place ans also adds anti-bacterial/fungal properties to the thread which is a good thing when using natural threads like linen or hemp.

Chuck

What is your method for collecting from cut pine?

Jeremy

[ChuckBurrows]

I look for pockets of dry pitch when cutting firewood.....usually occurs with storm damaged trees that have "healed"