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misty07

Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2223
Location: swindon wiltshire

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 2:48 pm Post subject: beeswax
I have got a plywood made ferret box I use when I go out ferreting. Question is what are the ways I can use beeswax as looking to get the bar form of it. Would it make it waterproof how would I apply it is it as simple as rubbing it on the wood? Inside and out? Cheer's in advance matty.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46403
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 4:08 pm Post subject:
melting the wax and adding natural turpentine is the usual way to make a wood dressing however it might make the ferret smelly in a non ferrety way or "blind"it's sense of smell which could be an issue if rabbiting perhaps rubbing the wax onto the wood like a crayon and then melting it into the wood with a hair dryer or similar would be less smelly

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 5:36 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

melting the wax and adding natural turpentine is the usual way to make a wood dressing

however it might make the ferret smelly in a non ferrety way or "blind"it's sense of smell which could be an issue if rabbiting

perhaps rubbing the wax onto the wood like a crayon and then melting it into the wood with a hair dryer or similar would be less smelly

I agree.
From memory I think I used about 5% beeswax to hot turps.
Don't do it indoors as the turps can ignite during warming.
I used a camping gas stove & a double pan (wax/turps in one tin inside a pot of heating water).
Apply with brush to the wood whilst hot & it soaks in more.
I did this to the outside of a top bar hive three years ago & it's still fine.
But like Dpack says the smell of the turps will take a long time to dissipate.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45715
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 6:16 pm Post subject:
what about linseed? I think a melting the beeswax in any veg oil will work

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 6:35 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

what about linseed? I think a melting the beeswax in any veg oil will work

I would say linseed oil would be better suited for the job in question.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 6:43 pm Post subject:
I would think linseed would take a lot longer for the smell to go. Linseed is an oil, turps is a spirit & more volatile. Haven't tried linseed so only guessing.

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 15 8:07 pm Post subject:
40:1 Linseed:Beeswax, is, I believe the "magic ratio".

misty07

Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2223
Location: swindon wiltshire

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 15 1:09 pm Post subject:
Cheer's people next to find some local beeswax . Would the wax and oil not like sort of not mix together sort of like in a magnet way

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16143

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 15 11:02 am Post subject:

Try anywhere that has a 'honey for sale' sign out, your local beekeeping association, or your local farmers market. Anyone that sells honey will either have wax, or know someone that has. I have never tried beeswax with linseed oil, as I can't stand the smell of linseed, but have successfully made beeswax polish using turpentine. For anyone wanting to make beeswax polish for the house, some carnuba wax added helps to produce a good shine, and always heat wax and any solvent in a water bath.

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 15 8:37 pm Post subject:
Carefully heat the oil in a tin in a bath of water over heat, melt the wax into the oil and stir, the two will combine at the right temp.

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