Bee's wax

[timcasbolt]

Another current thread is discussing the lubricity of wax for stubborn threads and it reminded me to tell of a couple tricks I've learned from my parents. When my mother had a stubborn zipper she would rub bee's wax on the zipper to make it work smoother. My father would rub bee's wax on an electrical plug to make it slide in and out easier. Mom kept her bee's wax in her sewing supplies. I think that's where Dad went when he needed some.

I wanted some, but couldn't find any in the local stores so I had to buy a whole box from an internet source. Gave a piece to each of my kids, but I doubt they think of using it. A little bit on the plug of my electric razor lasts for years.

 

[GChief]

As someone that uses treatment on electrical connects at work, bees wax is not a good conductor, its actually has fairly high resistance. Something like No Ox ID would not add resistance to the outlet, resistance cause heat which is not a good thing in that application. But hey, do what you want, just passing on some info

Now the zipper trick yep, we still do that

 

[teddy52food]

Sure works good on wood screws!

 

[stevieb49829]

I have a chunk I use to lubricate the dead center on my wood lathe. Saved it out of my trapping supplies when I gave that up. And I have used it to melt into stubborn threads. Seems to work at least as good as penetrating oil. And in a carb, gas would eat candle wax (parafin) up in an eyeblink. And maybe beeswax too. steve

 

[1948CaseVAI]

Another current thread is discussing the lubricity of wax for stubborn threads and it reminded me to tell of a couple tricks I've learned from my parents. When my mother had a stubborn zipper she would rub bee's wax on the zipper to make it work smoother. My father would rub bee's wax on an electrical plug to make it slide in and out easier. Mom kept her bee's wax in her sewing supplies. I think that's where Dad went when he needed some.

I wanted some, but couldn't find any in the local stores so I had to buy a whole box from an internet source. Gave a piece to each of my kids, but I doubt they think of using it. A little bit on the plug of my electric razor lasts for years.

Not much special about bees wax other than it is costly. But you can find small amounts in the online stores that cater to those of use who spend hours rigging model ships with thread to simulate rope.

But petroeum-based paraffin works just as well for zippers etc. and it is cheap. We used to buy tens of pounds of it in bulk to make candles. Or just buy a box of birthday candles and you will have a lifetime supply for zipper lube.

 

[JoeM(GA)]

Best stuff ever, have had a big chunk in the top of my toolbox forever, my wife keeps a piece in her sewing room to drag heavy thread thru to make it easier for her to pull thread thru heavy material

 

[Buckhammer]

I use it to wax the string on my compound bow

 

[caterpillar guy]

Yup and with it on a zipper I'll bet the bees all hang around that well. If it is used bees wax.

 

[glennster]

here is raw un processed bees wax. it is the cappings on the honey comb. when extracting honey the caps are cut off and saved for later processing. fun fact on beeswax. churches use candles made of beeswax instead of paraffin. beeswax does not give off soot like paraffin, so the ceilings in the church stay cleaner

 

[glennster]

here is raw un processed bees wax. it is the cappings on the honey comb. when extracting honey the caps are cut off and saved for later processing. fun fact on beeswax. churches use candles made of beeswax instead of paraffin. beeswax does not give off soot like paraffin, so the ceilings in the church stay cleanerView attachment 124887

here is the uncapping process

 

[timcasbolt]

Learn something new every day. Thanks.

 

[Gary Reif]

We always used a bar of soap rubbed on sticky zippers.

 

[Tony in SD]

And for making the best candles in the world right here in my home town.

Candles and Church Supplies

 

[Village Blacksmith]

I use wax on screws most of the time when doing wood projects. I just melt one of the wax toilet bowl seals in a shallow can. ust stick the screws in and pull out. When it gets low, just heat it again.

 

[cleddy]

Another current thread is discussing the lubricity of wax for stubborn threads and it reminded me to tell of a couple tricks I've learned from my parents. When my mother had a stubborn zipper she would rub bee's wax on the zipper to make it work smoother. My father would rub bee's wax on an electrical plug to make it slide in and out easier. Mom kept her bee's wax in her sewing supplies. I think that's where Dad went when he needed some.

I wanted some, but couldn't find any in the local stores so I had to buy a whole box from an internet source. Gave a piece to each of my kids, but I doubt they think of using it. A little bit on the plug of my electric razor lasts for years.

I'm 72 years old and as a child if my parents got a chance we saved Bees wax. I think there may be some saved from occupants before them and when I was a teenager into adult years had some bees and saved Bees wax. I think there must be a most of a large grocery bag full of chunks and after this long I would like to know what to do with it?? It surprising it keeps well and the mice don't seem to like it. I know I can just throw it away but after this long of saving it seems like there should have been a good reason & value on it??

 

[glennster]

I'm 72 years old and as a child if my parents got a chance we saved Bees wax. I think there may be some saved from occupants before them and when I was a teenager into adult years had some bees and saved Bees wax. I think there must be a most of a large grocery bag full of chunks and after this long I would like to know what to do with it?? It surprising it keeps well and the mice don't seem to like it. I know I can just throw it away but after this long of saving it seems like there should have been a good reason & value on it??

a 20 lb block of beeswax sells for around 160.00 dollars. candle makers will buy it right away. post it on marketplace or visit a farmers market or craft show.

 

[Pembroke]

bee supply houses sometimes will buy the wax to reuse and pay good money for it. Just a thought.

 

[Watthour]

How about waterproofing shoes and boots.? I didn't see that one mentioned.

I've also used it on dial cords on receivers and radios.

 

[Ol 54']

Back in the 70's and 80's when I was working for Lockheed aircraft we used beeswax on drill bits to keep them from burning up and getting real dull.

 

[Barts Dad]

Way back when I had a bread pan with about two inches of bees wax in it with my auto body tools. Heat it up with the torch a dip the paddle in it when doing lead work. I wonder, does anyone do lead filling anymore?