Uses for beeswax?

[philaw]

This afternoon I saw the pictures of funky wax-sealed leather bottles a la Bardster, then went out for a walk and bumped right into a stall selling fresh honey that they strip out of the wax by putting the boards in a hand-cranked centrifuge. They gave me a piece of the left over wax to suck the honey off of, and it tasted like flowers. Superb! And it's right at the end of my street! If they give me one piece, they'd give me more, so what can I do with it? There's not a thread just on beeswax, so why don't we get a few things together here?

I can think of sealing leatherwork a la Bardster, which is unfortunately not an option for me.

Making wood finishes. Is it tough enough for my upcoming knife handle?

Glue: pine resin+ beeswax+ charcoal= glue.

 

[stovie]

I always wax my bowstrings. Waterproofs and increases their lifespan.

My wife waxes her legs....But I think that is another matter

 

[Ogri the trog]

There's not a thread just on beeswax,

No Philaw,
Its the other way around, you put the wax on the thread, it waterproofs the thread and makes it easier to put through the eye of the needle.
I'd go easy on using it to polish a knife handle. too shiney and it will encourage blisters, too soft and the handle will feel sticky. When used as a wood polish, its blended with carnuba wax to offset the melting in warm temperature that it is prone to., though carnuba alone can scratch some soft woods.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Ahjno]

When I was young, I made a candle out of beeswax: it was simply a "sheet" of the wax, with lots of small cavities in it for the bees to pop in their eggs / honey etc. Simply lay a piece of cotton candle string (which what I used) on the wax and role it up - in such a manner the cord ends up in the core of the candle.
Can't remember how long it burned, but it worked - and it was great to see as a kid, that something you'd made actually worked

I hope I enlightened you

 

[jdlenton]

its not only good on thread its very good on cordage i have some nettle and lime cordages i made and rubbed with beas wax outside in my garden the unwaxed cordage has long gone but the waxed stuff is still going strong. I also use it on braided horse hair cordage it binds the hairs together.

cant think of any more than have been mentioned

James

 

[directdrive]

Let's see: As mentioned already, cordage, bowstrings, candles. I mix beeswax with turpentine and use it to wax floors and furniture. Rub it on, let it dry and buff it out. I use it to wax my bows to help waterproof them (all wood self bows). I too have waxed my handrolled cordage and find that it greatly extends its life and usefulness. I'm sure beeswax can be used in place of parrafin wax in many instances though it is stickier.....Bruce

 

[philaw]

I'd forgotten about waxing thread, guys, that's a good one. I'll have a really good look for some pine resin yet again and hopefully turn some up. If I do, then I'll use it to glue something. If I can't think of anything useful, I'll just glue some people's doors closed, to teach them that primitive technology is back in action.

 

[pumbaa]

I use it for a mouthpiece on my Didjeridoo . it helps to get an air tight seal . It is also a lot more comfortable than wood and can be adjusted to the contors of your mouth .
Pumbaa

 

[Goose]

Polishing bees?

 

[BorderReiver]

A small blob of beeswax added to melted lead brings the impurities to the top for scimming off.

 

[match]

Creams and ointments.

Putting a small lump of beeswax into a double-boiler with some vegetable oil and some herbs, simmering it for 10-15 minutes and then straining it and letting it set - the thickness will depend on the quantities used, but it makes a good ointment for stiff joints (with chilli, ginger etc) a good lip balm (plain or with mint/elderflower) and a good all round lubricant for bow drills, fire pistons etc.

 

[gregorach]

If you're doing any carpentry, beeswax is a great lubricant for nails and screws - makes them much easier to drive.

 

[qweeg500]

Melt 10% beeswax with 90% paraffin wax to make a block. You can rub this onto cotton and polycotton jackets and trousers to make them shower proof. After you've rubbed it in pop your garment into the tumble dryer so the wax impregnates the fibres.

 

[Infragreen]

Linseed oil a knife handle as usual (soak, drain, rest).

If you use this as a polish, you'll get a (short-lived) silky sheen.

But if you only polished it, your knife will ONLY take on a slightly sticky feel.

Like: You grab your knife, and your knife grabs you back!

Odderweiss: Candles, stringwax, polishes, creams and ointments fer yer missus.

Mix it up with fluffy fibers, and stuff in your ears to keep out nightly disturbances!

Otherwise mail me and...

I'LL WAX YOU!!

 

[demographic]

When I was a nipper my father used to do repairs on golf clubs, he used to put whipping on the club and waxed the thread as he did it.

 

[wolf]

I use it for a mouthpiece on my Didjeridoo . it helps to get an air tight seal . It is also a lot more comfortable than wood and can be adjusted to the contors of your mouth .
Pumbaa

me too...

 

[Burt]

You can also use bees wax to impregnate leather; not so much boots as it will make them extremely hard. You would be able to waterproof leather pouches, knife sheaths etc.

Stuff the pouch with loads of wet paper; this holds the shape and stops the leather shrinking too much.

The method to use would be to melt the wax in a pot.

Warm the leather, either over fire or with a blow torch (careful near stitching or it will burn it). Warming the leather will open the pores allowing the wax to soak in easier.

paint the wax onto the leather sparingly; you will see it soak in, re-apply and do the same again. The more wax you use the harder it gets. When the leather cools warm it again and so on until you think you have given the leather a good soak.

Once dry the leather will take a high sheen when polished. It will have a slightly tacky feel, less so if the wax is soaked in thoroughly. There shouldn't be any visible wax on the surface.

This idea was originally used by me to harden army drill boots; it reduces creasing and holds the polish better.