beeswax bowstring wax formula ... ?

[Rob DiStefano]

i've got a pound of pure dark beeswax that needs to get cut/softened.  i've done it before with about 50/50 mix of lard.  

i'd like to get away from the lard, anyone got another recipe for beeswax string wax?  

was thinking of some other organic oil.

[stringstretcher]

Go and get one toilet bowl ring.  Mix 50/50 and works great.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I've softened beeswax with teatree oil for other applications. It works fairly well but smells very strong. Advantage is it'll clear your sinuses and it never goes rancid like olive oil (another option) might. I'd stick with heat.

[JEJ]

Am I delusional or didn’t I read one time about someone mixing it with the wax ring that forms a seal under the “throne” many of us use in the reading room?

[Hatrick]

I saw a formula of melting 2 pounds of bees wax with one toilet bowl ring and a spoonful of honey (why the honey I have no idea). Pour into small muffin cups. I haven't done it myself, yet, but as soon as I need more wax I'm going to give it a try.

[JEJ]

See there, I'm not delusional. What I am though, is a slower typer than stringstretcher!

 

[LBR]

Not a good idea to add honey to bowstring wax--a mouse is liable to like the smell.

A toilet bowl ring works great, but I can't remember the ratio I used.  Also heard of adding pine pitch and/or instrument rosin, but I didn't do that with mine.

I just tinkered with the mix until I got the consistency I liked.

FWIW, I found that toilet bowl rings come in different sizes, or at least some have more wax than others.

Chad

[ron w]

I have used straight uncut beeswax for 30 years and never had any problems,my question is why cut it?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by ron w:
I have used straight uncut beeswax for 30 years and never had any problems,my question is why cut it?

raw beeswax is just too hard for my use.  if beeswax was only needed to wax a string on a braced bow, no problem as the rubbing motion heats it up and melts it in.  much harder to melt in when there is no tension on the string fiber.  hence the need to soften it.  well, at least for me.

[Lechwe]

I'm with Ron. If you're using it for waxing strings use it straight. If you are making strings you might want to soften it some.

[ArrowAtomik]

I would hesitate with the tea tree oil if you are dealing with a hunting-related use.  It is too strong smelling.  We use a couple drops of it in the wash with my son's diapers and I had a little residual in my hunting clothes.  I was getting busted left and right.  I came home perplexed and my wife explained what had happened.

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

..I'm with the thought ... "use it as it comes from the hive !!!  Been for many moons !!!

Also use bees wax to smooth out the taper on stone/sinew wrapped primitive arrows

If you have a self nock arrow and its loose some on bow string ...rub a good bit of pure bees wax on the nocking point area of string. Holds nock nice !!!

[JMartin]

I'm gonna try the terlet bowl ring deal. Sounds like it ought to work just dandy!

[Montauks]

It's been many years, but I believed I used a 3/4 to 1/4 mix.
3/4 bees wax to 1/4 toilet bowl wax. You definitely need to
"eyeball" the consistency. I melted mine in a cleaned out soup can and poured into empty egg carton.
Gene

[BOWMARKS]

ROB  

I picked up some bees wax a while back I thought I got the wrong stuff it is as hard as a rock,. Is this the way it normaly is ? And that is why you are looking to soften it ? When you come up with the formula post it would you please!!  

Thanks MARK

[Rob DiStefano]

yep, mark - a block of raw beeswax is quite hard and whacking it with large knife only flakes off chunks.  i usually use a hot wire to cut off slabs for the melting pot.

the replies have jogged the old gray matter and i do remember using toilet bowl wax as a mix.  an old timer showed my using lard and stuck with that.  yuk.  i guess most any paraffin would work as well.

fwiw, a 1" or so cube of raw beeswax is perfect for using on a braced bow and it won't pick up much lint or dirt stuck in yer quiver or pocket, whereas the blended beeswax sucks up everything and makes a mess,

[lpcjon2]

Can you use Carnuba or paraffin.or maybe a scented oil thats natural.I never done it but I thought I would find out this way.

[Montauks]

web page 1  
   web page 2

[Rob DiStefano]

great links, gene - thanx!

[stringstretcher]

Depending on how you mix it, trial and error, but it also works great using those two combinations for making strings.  Just get it a little less sticky than it is as purchased, ie" 3/4 toilet ring 1/4 beeswax.  Works great.