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Beeswax.............
Some time ago I got hold of a fair quantity of beeswax. I've been tying with it for a number of years now, and have barely made a dent in my stash. Problem is, it's become less and less sticky over time. Recently, I took a couple chunks and melted and recast them, cleaning and removing bits of feathers, floss, etc. that tend to gather on my chunks of wax. I was hoping this might restore some of the stickiness, but, no. It's fine for waxing my tying thread, but not sticky enough to be of much help dubbing. Any of y'all have any suggestions here? Maybe I just gotta get new wax........ModocDan
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Re: Beeswax.............
id say just try heating it a bit right before you use it but other than that, i dont know.
sorry :(
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Re: Beeswax.............
I?ve always used unscented lip balm for dubbing. Works great and the tube lasts forever
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Re: Beeswax.............
I use an inexpensive toilet wax ring for my tying...new, of course. :shock: At around a buck, you can supply lots of friends with their own supply as a gift. I have my wife save the small tins that votive candle burn in. They are perfect size for this application. I've had mine for over 5 years and it's still sticky.
Joe
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Re: Beeswax.............
New, of course ! Thanks Joe, I hadn't thought of that, Off to the hardware store.............M.D.
Hey! last night on the way to work (graveyard shift machinist) I got me a brand new wax toilet gasket. like Joe said, nice an sticky. I grabbed it with my pliers and melted it into several dixie cups about 3/4" deep with my acetylene torch. Cut off the excess tops, and shazam! I'm in biz. Still way sticky. About to try it out on some hare's ear flies shortly. I still have a bunch of the old beeswax left, and a beekeeper friend where I can get more, so I'm gonna try some a them recipies Joe Cramer mentioned. Who knows? maybe I'll become a wax guru........ModocDan
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Re: Beeswax.............
In answer to your question...
May I say....Mind your own beeswax :wink:
o god DShock must have made me do it:oops:
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Re: Beeswax.............
I've never said anything like that! :lol:
ModocDan,
Go straight (do not pass go) to your Bee Keepers store and purchase the BEST Bees Wax. If your going to use it take care of it by sealing in a plastic bag. The Bees Wax you purchase should last for years if you take care of it. I have 2 discs of Bees Wax, melted off a block of wax into two Dixie Cups, then I cut the Dixie Cups down to 1/2 inch or so. Make slits in either side of Cups for running the thread.
WOW! I almost know as much as Eric, Joe, Jack or JC!!!!! :shock: Never as much as FG or Betty! :lol:
Doug
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Re: Beeswax.............
:shock: I did not know that!! What a kewl hint!!
Bees wax can be purchased in the sewing department, in a little plastic disk, so you can run your thread through it. I use it for sewing, but never thought to use it for fly tying!! (I'm still trying to find coblers wax for tying. Any ideas?) Down to my sewing drawer!!
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Re: Beeswax.............
Generally pure wax by itself is not tacky enough to make the best dubbing wax.
Here are some formulas from my old tying books for making dubbing wax. As you can see they contain large percentages of rosin. The oil or lard helps keep the mixture soft.
Herters gives the following proportions by weight - 8 parts resin, 1
part beeswax, 1 part tallow or lard.
Harry Darbee provides this basic formula by weight - 16 parts resin, 1
part beeswax, 1 part Castor oil.
Melt the resin and wax together then add the third ingredient. Let cool
or pour into cold water and then work it like you would taffy candy to make it smooth. ( I think it would be less messy to pour it into a plastic bag and then work it to make it smooth.)
Some of the older formulas used turpentine in the place of the lard or
castor oil but it has a tendency to dry out over time.
If you make up a batch let me know how it turns out. I only have three tubes of Overton's remaining.
Regards, Jim Cramer
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Re: Beeswax.............
Joe V.: I guess you cut a hunk of that toilet ring off and melt it down in a pan, correct? Can you keep it uncovered on your tying desk or will it dry out?