Author Topic: Melting wax for the mold.  (Read 4076 times)

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Offline Alleyyooper

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Melting wax for the mold.
« on: March 11, 2015, 08:04:13 am »
Well is that time of year to stop using the wood furnace to melt my wax for the mold. Can't be having a fire hot enough to melt the wax with out melting the people and critter in the house.
I bought this Kelley wax melter at a Auction sale for $10.00 but don't care for it like I though I would. Have to keep the water reservoir full because it will go dry real quick.



One mistake was draining it into a 5 gallon pail that even after being sprayed with a veggie oil the wax would not come out. had to cut the pail away.



The big solar melter is the cats meow. Can put 30 frames in there on a rack and several propped up on both sides for a total of 40 frames at a time. I catch the run off melted wax in a 2 gallon pail that I install regular house hold screen over to strain chunks out. For some reason I can get the wax out of those two gallon pails just fine. I don't like it for running the wax right in the molds as it goes so quick I almost have to be standing there to change the mold overs. I just save the results and melt it again over the wood furnace in the winter and strain again and pour into molds.





 ;D  Al
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Offline Jen

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2015, 03:21:24 pm »
I have thought that my bee investment this year would be a solar extractor. Hubby is not so hot on me melting beeswax on the wood stove, it is flamable.

Iddee sent me a two pound brick of solar melted wax last fall. I like the two pound brick or even a 1 pound brick. But once I'm ready to melt the brick for molds, I'm gonna have to find another way to melt sans the wood stove. Maybe a hot plate?
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Offline Perry

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2015, 07:51:07 pm »
Thanks for the post. There is one of those for sale a couple of Provinces over and for $185. I wasn't sure how well they worked and if you factor in the shipping, you probably just saved me some $$$. I'll buy the beer if you ever end up here! :occasion14:
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2015, 11:30:12 pm »
Holy 5 gal bucket of wax Batman!

  I was going to say, I have never had any issues getting the wax out of a 5 gal bucket, once it cools and shrinks..  then i saw the BLOCK of wax.. wow! 
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Offline Jen

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2015, 11:37:29 pm »
I know Right? that dude is gonna have to be chiseled down for sure  :D
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Offline Alleyyooper

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2015, 06:39:06 am »
I made up my double boiler set up from pot from the salvation army store. I can melt down 9 pounds of wax at a time with it on the wood burner which I said is a furnace so has the fire box then a steel shell that holds the hot air for the blower to blow out the duct work.

No picture of the whole capping tub. well I guess there was one after all.





3 pound blocks from removal comb that was as black as coal.



3 pound block of capping wax.



 ;D  Al

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Offline Perry

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2015, 09:19:58 am »
Great pics Al. Nice looking set-up.
How many colonies do you run again?
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2015, 11:36:31 pm »
 from pot from the salvation army store


   they sell that at the salvation army store now?     :laugh:

   It is a great looking set up!
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Offline Jen

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2015, 12:14:29 am »
pot from the salvation army store

   they sell that at the salvation army store now?

     :D :D     
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Offline Alleyyooper

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Re: Melting wax for the mold.
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2015, 06:36:23 am »
Yes they sell pots and pans along with lots of other donated stuff at the salvation army store. We took truck loads of stuff there our selves to donate when My mom and dad passed as well as when Kare's dad passed.

Went into winter with over 100 colonies.

 ;D  Al
your not fully dressed with out a smile.