Thread: Gonna make me some bees wax.

I got to check this video out. Are you going to do a work in progress and including the retrospective of the worker bees?

Originally Posted by tdrumnut

Well technically the bees have already made the bees wax..........

I must admit that was my first thought when I saw the video the other day. I'd be mightily impressed if the bloke in the vid actually made his own wax (shades of The Fly).

Should really be titled "Home-made beewswax-based finish" or something like that.

Originally Posted by Sumbloak

I must admit that was my first thought when I saw the video the other day. I'd be mightily impressed if the bloke in the vid actually made his own wax (shades of The Fly).

Should really be titled "Home-made beewswax-based finish" or something like that.

True that, but at least it got your attention LOL

Originally Posted by Sumbloak

I must admit that was my first thought when I saw the video the other day. I'd be mightily impressed if the bloke in the vid actually made his own wax (shades of The Fly).

Should really be titled "Home-made beewswax-based finish" or something like that.

My thoughts too. Poking around collecting pollen isn't really my thing.

Originally Posted by jimbur

My thoughts too. Poking around collecting pollen isn't really my thing.

Not into Pansies, Jim?

Alan...

Just in case anyone else is like me and isn't up on what is happening all over the forums, this is the thread that is being referenced;

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f9/mak...ishing-176171/

or you can just go straight to the video Make your own beeswax wood finish - YouTube

For those that have not fiddled with bees wax before, it is extremely flammable and for this reason the process should be conducted outside. Whilst the presenter did place the wax into a container that was then placed in hot water it should be stressed that this is the only way to melt the wax. Never directly heat the wax. Wax melts at about 62 degrees C so it is not necessary to raise the water to continuous boiling. Good luck.

Originally Posted by BobR

For those that have not fiddled with bees wax before, it is extremely flammable and for this reason the process should be conducted outside. Whilst the presenter did place the wax into a container that was then placed in hot water it should be stressed that this is the only way to melt the wax. Never directly heat the wax. Wax melts at about 62 degrees C so it is not necessary to raise the water to continuous boiling. Good luck.

I used one of those old fashioned baby bottle warmers, I think the brand is Birko, picked up from an Op shop. Al enclosed and the temp only goes to about 60 degrees.


Peter.

Yeah I'm going to set up a double boiler system to melt the wax, I will make a couple of different wax finishes I just need to source some pure mineral oil, orange oil and maybe some walnut oil. I may experiment with colour as well if the basic finish turns out ok.

Cheapest and most readily available mineral oil is homebrand baby oil from the likes of Coles, you can buy either scented or non-scented.

I use an old electric deep fry unit to melt my waxes, mainly paraffin wax for dipping the ends of blanks in. I just leave the paraffin wax in there until the next time I need it.
As it is a sealed unit it is relatively safe to use, especially on a setting low enough to melt the wax somewhat slowly.

Rumnut - You might want to clean that wax before you make up the polish, looking at the picture you could well have bits of rubbish, dead bees etc in there. Just heat some water in a pan and melt the wax in it. Most of the rubbish will settle out as it cools, with the 'cleaner' wax on top.
I used to keep bees and have made shed loads of wax polish for use on the old beams in my cottage as well as the normal uses. My recipe is just wax and pure turpentine with wood stain added to colour. Shred the wax, add the turps, if you are in a hurry then warm it up, if not just leave it alone for a couple of weeks.
Like the video shows, the finish can be tweeked with various additives.
Mark

Another source of inexpensive food-safe mineral oil is Ikea.
SKYDD Wood treatment oil, indoor use - IKEA

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Cheapest and most readily available mineral oil is homebrand baby oil from the likes of Coles, you can buy either scented or non-scented.

I use an old electric deep fry unit to melt my waxes, mainly paraffin wax for dipping the ends of blanks in. I just leave the paraffin wax in there until the next time I need it.
As it is a sealed unit it is relatively safe to use, especially on a setting low enough to melt the wax somewhat slowly.

Jeez thanks alot Fred I gave one away not long ago, never thought of using it for that

I have seen a video of this being done in the microwave, instead of stove top.

When you used to melt chocolate on the stove you did it in a water bath and now do it in a microwave……So it won't burn, but not sure about the flammability, maybe check a candle making forum???