Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: osage outlaw on June 29, 2019, 05:17:34 pm

Title: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 29, 2019, 05:17:34 pm
I recently made some string wax and thought I would post some pictures.  I normally get some wax from Chad at the BCY booth at the Classic.  He was out this year and I am down to my last small piece so it was time to make my own.  I traded for a 2 lb block of beeswax on here several years ago.  I can't remember who I got it from.  I used 2 of the cheap toilet bowl wax rings.  They were soft and tacky.  I was guessing at the mixture ratio.  I broke it up into small pieces and used a pan setting in a larger pan of water on a hot plate.  I let it melt slowly and added more wax as it warmed up. 

(https://i.imgur.com/zWiOIOw.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/GhA1yno.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1mdfady.jpg)


At this point it started to smell really good.

(https://i.imgur.com/DKXvWQo.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/L05Be9R.jpg)


I spooned it into small condiment cups that I've been saving for a while.  I thought I would spill some if I tried to pour it.  I had the perfect amount of cups.  I filled every one to the top and didn't have any leftover wax.  I got lucky there.  I think the mix ratio is pretty close.  It feels about the same as the wax I get from BCY.  I'll test it out on the next string that I make.  If it isn't right I can always melt it back down and add to it until it's good.

(https://i.imgur.com/0H8J7DL.jpg)

Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Knoll on June 29, 2019, 07:23:49 pm
Nice.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: bjrogg on June 29, 2019, 07:38:31 pm
That should do a quite a few strings Clint.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 29, 2019, 07:40:09 pm
Knoll and BJ, remind me next year and I'll bring you guys a cup at Marshall.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Pat B on June 29, 2019, 08:04:11 pm
Nice Clint. Is that similar to what Chad makes. He gave me a few containers 2 years ago and I really like his wax.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 29, 2019, 08:14:30 pm
That's what I was trying for Pat.  He gave me his recipe but I didn't find his brand of wax rings.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: EdwardS on June 29, 2019, 09:00:46 pm
I need to do this, I have the wax rings, I just need beeswax.  All mine is gone.  Does paraffin or soy wax work?  I have plenty of that.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Deerhunter21 on June 29, 2019, 09:32:11 pm
on the scale, were the measurements by oz?
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Hawkdancer on June 29, 2019, 09:39:44 pm
I have just used straight beeswax for a long time.  Recently found a recipe for one part resin:3 parts beeswax in the Boy Scout Archery Merit Badge book!  Haven't tried it yet,   Got to get a spare block of resin!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 30, 2019, 03:35:31 am
on the scale, were the measurements by oz?

It's reading in lbs and ounces.  That is the default setting on the scale.  I can change it if I need to.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 30, 2019, 03:36:10 am
I need to do this, I have the wax rings, I just need beeswax.  All mine is gone.  Does paraffin or soy wax work?  I have plenty of that.

I don't know.  I've never tried those.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: osage outlaw on June 30, 2019, 03:38:19 am
I have just used straight beeswax for a long time.  Recently found a recipe for one part resin:3 parts beeswax in the Boy Scout Archery Merit Badge book!  Haven't tried it yet,   Got to get a spare block of resin!
Hawkdancer

I think straight beeswax would work good for a string maintenance wax.  I like a softer slightly tacky wax for making strings.  It helps keep the bundles together. 
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: JEB on June 30, 2019, 04:28:58 am
Good post, Clint. That is how I make it as well.
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Marc St Louis on June 30, 2019, 05:08:53 am
I've never bought string wax.  My current mix is Beeswax and Vaseline
Title: Re: Making string wax
Post by: Mesophilic on June 30, 2019, 08:45:45 am
For string maintenance I use bees wax with a small amout of paraffin melted in to make it a little less sticky.

For string making I use bees wax melted with turpentine and a little resin.  It's a soft, almost creamy wax that I can work in to the string material easily.  When the turpentine evaporates it sets just like plain bees wax.