Bee's Wax

A mix of bee's wax and oil makes a great patch lubricant I use one part of bee's wax and seven parts of olive oil to make a way patch lubricant. Mix the wax and oil in a double boiler, a pan of boiling water in which you place the pan of wax and oil. It's also a great lip balm, hand cream, gun stock wax and most any use you find on one of those expensive Burt's Bees wax lotions you find on the shelves of your pharmacy.

An equal part mix is good for lubricating conical bullets.

You do need to be aware that wax is not washed out by water. It needs more scrubbing and a wax dissolving solution (rubbing alcohol) to remove the wax from the bore. If you use a waxy lube, be aware of the fouling crud ring that can develop at the breech.

Grenadier1758 said:

You do need to be aware that wax is not washed out by water. It needs more scrubbing and a wax dissolving solution (rubbing alcohol) to remove the wax from the bore. If you use a waxy lube, be aware of the fouling crud ring that can develop at the breech.

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Chemically, wax is not dissolved by alcohol. One needs a solvent like acetone or xylene to actually dissolve wax.

One Eyed Blacksmith said:

Sorry every one, I am new to this. What does every one do with bees wax? Is it just for makeing candles?

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I use beeswax as a major component in the bullet lube recipe (Emmerts Improved) that I make and use. I’ve used the Emmerts lube on patches and felt over powder (OP) wads. Beeswax is a good component of many lube recipes. It’s not a very good rust preventer or waterproofer because wax floats in water, water will lift wax off a surface (coffee table water rings)

One Eyed Blacksmith said:

Sorry every one, I am new to this. What does every one do with bees wax? Is it just for makeing candles?

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Beeswax can be used as a stiffener in lube concoctions, it can be used as a fabric waterproofer, It lubricates some things like saw blades, can be used to protect metal. You can season a cast iron pan with it, or use it to make lip balm or hand cream. It can be used a a sealant like sealing the pan on a flintlock in rainy weather.. I've used it to "fix" chips or inletting mistakes to make them less noticeable. You can use it in your sewing kit. It's great for lubricating brass threads on a powder flask and won't contaminate the powder. You can even chew it like gum.

Bees wax has a ton of uses.

Carbon 6 said:

Beeswax can be used as a stiffener in lube concoctions, it can be used as a fabric waterproofer, It lubricates some things like saw blades, can be used to protect metal. You can season a cast iron pan with it, or use it to make lip balm or hand cream. It can be used a a sealant like sealing the pan on a flintlock in rainy weather.. I've used it to "fix" chips or inletting mistakes to make them less noticeable. You can use it in your sewing kit. It's great for lubricating brass threads on a powder flask and won't contaminate the powder. You can even chew it like gum.

Bees wax has a ton of uses.

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I forgot to add that I used beeswax for fluxing my lead pot when casting balls or bullets.

Carbon 6 said:

I forgot to add that I used beeswax for fluxing my lead pot when casting balls or bullets.

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Too expensive, I use bit's of old worn "Crayons". I got an ice cream pail full at a garage sale for 50cents a decade ago.

One Eyed Blacksmith said:

Sorry every one, I am new to this. What does every one do with bees wax? Is it just for makeing candles?

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Mixed with oil it makes a good lube that is of peanut-butter to Chap-Stik type consistency. For lubing patches.

Easier to use in the woods than a liquid lube.

The little tin shown below has a beeswax/castor oil/soap mix and the leather bag was coated in molten beeswax to keep the pre-lubed strip of patch material from drying out further. Handy stuff. And melted and brushed onto a leather piece it makes a waterproof "cows knee" to protect you lock when hunting in the rain.

A little match-head sized bit also keeps your wood-stove hinges from squeeking.

necchi said:

Too expensive, I use bit's of old worn "Crayons". I got an ice cream pail full at a garage sale for 50cents a decade ago.

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Thanks I'll have to give that a try if I happen to come across some crayons.
Have you tried candles ? I have lots of those.

Yep, candle stub shavings, plain ole paraffin,, sawdust, dry grass clippings,, anything that burns will work.
Wax is just handy because it burns fast.

Yes on the candles here, too. I have a bunch of white "plumber's candles" (said so on the box) and a little chunk works great.

I've stirred molten lead with a sliver of wood and have used pieces of candle stubs/drippings left over from candle lanterns. Both work well as flux to bring the dross to the surface for skimming...

One Eyed Blacksmith said:

Sorry every one, I am new to this. What does every one do with bees wax? Is it just for makeing candles?

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No. You can use bees' wax as an ingredient in patch lubes, leather dressing, and lip balm. It's also good for sealing powder horns, waxing wood products like gun stocks, and knife scales.

One Eyed Blacksmith said:

Sorry every one, I am new to this. What does every one do with bees wax? Is it just for makeing candles?

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No worries One-Eye, everyone was a new-guy at some point. Besides candles, I use beeswax for bullet lube. I blend it 70:30 with mutton tallow for combustible revolver cartridges and use it straight for British Pritchet cartridges. When I had my Baker flintlock I used it to seal the edges of the pan for water-proofing.

Mustache wax ingredient.

I've alway used it in my woodworking. Predrill a hole, coat the screw with beeswax, easier to start, helps prevent head stripping.

Has anyone ever tried wax toilet rings? They ARE NOT BEES WAX but instead are made of vegetable oils and petroleum waxes. Far cheaper than bees wax and far more accessible.
Just a thought.

Moleman said:

Has anyone ever tried wax toilet rings?

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Modern toilet rings have been talked about many times earlier in this post.