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Thread: Source for Beeswax?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Source for Beeswax?

    What is a good source for Beeswax for fluxing lead alloy? It certainly doesn't have to be filtered super clean for food grade or candles, after all it's just going to be burnt up. Would like to not pay a fortune for it as well. Any bee keepers out there? I've got several thousand pounds of sorted wheelweights to smelt and pour into ingots. When finished, I'll likely offer it for sale on this web site.
    Thanks!!!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    I found a bee keeper and what you want to get is the capping wax. Most will have it but just ask if you find one. What I use for fluxing is pine shavings and old candle wax, much cheaper than bee wax.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy Static line's Avatar
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    "Track of the wolf "used to sell beeswax.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    contact your local ag agent or law enforcement they will have a list of beekeers in you area
    or do a google search for local beekeepers.i get 5 bucks a lb shiped

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Static line's Avatar
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  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
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    If you’re just talking about fluxing... I would suggest you do as I’d do and just dip in the stub of some random candle you wife or girlfriend is ready to throw away. I hold it by the wick and just dip it for a few seconds. You’ll be amazed at how many pots of lead you can treat with just one little candle stub!

    Now if you are making lube, that’s another story and you’ll want the best ingredients available, including the beeswax. I do as some here have suggested and get mine from a cooperative beekeeper. My favorite lube recipes both happen to be about 50% beeswax, so I keep a good supply.

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    We've a forum member (RandyRat) who used to sell raw beeswax at quite reasonable prices (last time I bought from him, I got 3# for $16 + shipping). He's not listed as a Vendor, but he still posts from time to time. You might drop him a PM and see if he can help you out.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  9. #9
    Boolit Master



    Echo's Avatar
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    If you are just going to use it for fluxing, Don't! Sawdust and paraffin work just fine - the sawdust is generally free - just go down to the Loew's or Ace Hdw carrying a peanut butter jar. And the paraffin is in the canning section at the grocery store.
    Echo
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    One of the most endearing sights in the world is the vision of a naked good-looking woman leaving the bedroom to make breakfast. Bolivar Shagnasty (I believe that Lazarus Long also said it, but I can't find any record of it.)

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    All I use for fluxing is candle wax. Most dollar stores sell candles cheap. Or if you
    go to church and they use candles during the service, they would probley give you
    the old used candles. I find mine mostly at yard sales.
    webfoot10

  11. #11
    Boolit Master trapper9260's Avatar
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    I use the bees wax for make boolit lube, I use ground corn cobs for flux. I also use the corn cobs to tumble my brass also.for the last tumble the first one I use ground walnut shells.I get my bees wax from the bee farmer that have some hives on my place and also salvage the wax that he scraps off the cover of the hive and render it myself.
    Life Member of NRA,NTA,DAV ,ITA. Also member of FTA,CBA

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
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    Randy Rat was great! Lost that stash, sadly. Amazon was the best deal I found at about $10/lb.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I flux my scrap lead smelts with pine sawdust a few times followed by wax. I think beeswax works a little better but candles are much cheaper.

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy

    WheelgunConvert's Avatar
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    Churches, daycares, schools and restaurants have more broken crayons than all of us could use in a lifetime.

    My Spouse is a teacher, and she supports the shooting arts.
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  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy

    WheelgunConvert's Avatar
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    sorry double post.

    B
    Stronger, Prouder and Greater!

  16. #16
    Banned
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    I get mine from a local beekeeper @ $8 per pound last I bought it (it's been a few years)

  17. #17
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
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    If your looking for flux try sawdust. Every now and then i buy a framing 2x4 and cut it up blade width at a time you would be amazed how much saw dust you get from a $2 2x4. Remember wax is for recombining alloy saw dust and the like is for fluxing. I just did a quick search for beez wax i think i ended up with food grade for $8 a pound but that was a few years ago.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master

    Moonie's Avatar
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    I use sawdust and stir with wooden paint stir sticks, works very well. I used to use beeswax and parafin.

  19. #19
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    I'd talk to a beekeeper, they have some "slag" beeswax that is very unclean bees wax they can't do anything with. It works very well for flux. Most will give you enough to last a lifetime.

    I keep bees and used to have a bunch of it. When I get more (mostly from the crush and strain method of gathering honey) I'll post some up for the cost of shipping.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    Tom W.'s Avatar
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    I have some wild beeswax that my sons brought home once. At the time I wasn't too informed on how to clean it, so I put it through a strainer to get the insects out and made cylinders that I thought I could use for bullet lube. I think I have two or three left that I use for fluxing now. I just slice a small chunk off and throw it into the pot along with a kitchen match and stir thoroughly.
    Tom
    μολὼν λαβέ


    Did I ever mention that I hate to trim brass?

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BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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